My sons are participating in immersive art camps this week – architecture for the older, clay work and drawing for the younger.
One of the biggest lessons I think they’re taking away from this experience (beyond the specifics of their curricula) is the iterative nature of art. In elementary art class, students don’t have time to iterate their art. They have time for creation, and then they move on to the next concept.
During their art camps this week – they have had the chance to try, and use what they have learned to make a better version, and a better version. To have a vision, and then try to achieve it with multiple tries.
Iteration is one of the most important facets of all artistic creation – whether it’s in Beethoven’s melodic notebooks, Van Gogh’s pencil sketches, or Pixar’s storyboards. Learning that art doesn’t come perfectly on the first try is a lesson will serve all young artists, and one that requires time.
Because: the five days of camp (six hours a day) is, for each of them, more dedicated art time than they receive in an entire year of elementary school (45 minutes per week).