Our Great City

PROGRESS WITH ART STUDENTS EVIDENT AND THIS IS JUST THE FOURTH CLASS, FOLKS!

By Lamberto Alvarez

As we completed our fourth art class it is very obvious that both my children and adult art class students are grasping the reality that something wonderful has been happening within them, as they are exploring their creative side in a room full of art friends.

As a professional artist in the publishing world, I have been used to being in a competitive atmosphere, where the pace and the demand is marked and appreciated by the effectiveness of our artwork, our speed and our concepts. Here, though, in a room full of students, ages ranging from 10 year olds and above, it is an entirely different climate.

We are mostly gathered to see how much fun we can have with pencils, markers, watercolors, and coffee filters! No competitiveness, as I had already prepared them to understand that everyone is different, and that everyone is their own BEST, in their own personal style. I really believe that thought is beginning to sink in with my students.

As I look back at their first class, when some had admitted that they could not draw anything better than stick figures, I am now pleased to see how much they have grown now, creatively. In just one month their “stick figures” have translated into beautiful art pieces, all of which will play an important role in their lives for years to come.

Perhaps what is even more magical is that everyone in that room is bonding in a very special way. We are all becoming good friends! We laugh and we compliment each other frequently, and that creates not only a positive atmosphere, but also a good feeling, as if we are all a family. And we ARE becoming a family indeed – an “art community.”

The intent, of course, is to create a positive, strong team attitude… and it’s working wonderfully. The best part is that I truly believe that everyone really looks forward to these sessions now. We listen to various forms of music, we paint, we enjoy some “goodies” that students bring in and we just have plain good old fun! There is no such thing as “failure” or “bad art.” Everything that comes out of that room is truly a “keeper.”

Please take a moment to see the photos taken at these classes in the photo gallery and you’ll see, for yourselves, how this magical transformation is really shaping the thinking of my art students, and how they are gaining a new-found confidence that will most likely have an effect in just about everything they do in their daily lives. And we haven’t even scratched the surface yet! Nothing pleases more than to see this transformation happening so quickly, and to see my students leave with a smile! We will continue to create our “magical art” in the weeks, months and years to come!

 –Lamberto

NOTE: Call Lamberto at 817-749-6971 or 817-913-1999 (cell) to enroll in his classes. Every class covers a different topic, so a new student can join an existing group without any problem whatsoever. Six 1-1/2 hour sessions for only $300.