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THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2012
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Art Appreciation
for Kids 101
By: Jill Stolz
How does anyone come to enjoy
and appreciate art? It is simply expo-
sure and positive experiences associ-
ated with said exposure. Art appre-
ciation may seem like an mature
adult concept, but introducing chil-
dren to the art world at a young age
opens their minds and exposes
them to the world, setting the stage
for a future of cultural curiosity and
awareness.
In New Jersey, there are many
excellent museums where children
and young adults can see and learn
about the art world. For young chil-
dren, a good place to start is the
Morris Museum
in Morristown. In
“
The Art of the Brick” exhibit,
which runs through February, there
are more than 25 large-scale LEGO
sculptures created by artist Nathan
Sawaya. There is even a special build
area for those who are immediately
inspired! At the
Liberty Science
Center
in Jersey City, the “Art of
Science” Photo Exhibit, on display
through February, is sure to spark
interest in the art of photography.
And on a beautiful day, an outing to
the
Grounds for Sculptuure
in
Hamilton is great for the entire fam-
ily. Even better than ambling
through the grounds dotted with
unique sculptures are the holiday
Light Nights. On Fridays from 5-8pm
on Dec. 16, 23 and 30 and Satur-
days, Dec. 10 and 17, visitors can
ride the tram (Fridays) or a horse
and carriage (Saturdays) and see the
unique sculptures lit up against the
night sky.
The
Zimmerli Art Museum
at
Rutgers University in New Brunswick
has a wonderful permanent collec-
tion to introduce children to the art
world, including works by alumnus
George Segal and a growing pho-
tography collection. Two current
exhibits are of particular interest:
“
Prints by Mary Cassatt,” the Amer-
ican painter and printmaker whose
works were exhibited in France
alongside the great impressionists,
and “Lyn Ward Draws Stories,” an
exhibit featuring some of the great
20
th century illustrator’s best works,
inspired by Mark Twain and other
classic young adult authors. The
Montclair Art Museum’s
“
Georgia
O’Keefe in New Mexico” exhibit
shows O’Keefe’s deep respect for
the Native American and Hispanic
culture of northern New Mexico.
Crossing the bridge to New York,
the “Beatrix Potter: The Picture Let-
ters” at the
Morgan Library and
Museum
(
through January) displays
the famous picture letters of Peter
Rabbit and his friends. “Picasso:
Black and White” at the
Guggen-
heim Museum
through January
includes 118 of Picasso’s paintings,
sculptures and drawings, no color
necessary. And the
Metropolitan
Museum of Art’s
“
regarding
Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years” fea-
tures 45 works by Warhol alongside
works by 60 artists all influenced by
his pop culture art. The exhibit runs
through December 31.
If you have a child who shows
either interest and/or talent in art or
if you are looking for adult classes to
bring out your inner artist, there are
several wonderful centers in our
area.
The Center for Contempo-
rary Art,
formerly known as the
Somerset Art Association, has an
excellent art school for all ages and
levels, as well as a professional exhi-
bition program. The Center is locat-
ed on Burnt Mills Road in Bedmin-
ster (908-275-8828).
The Visual
Arts Center of New Jersey,
locat-
ed on Elm Street in Summit (908-
273-9121),
is a comprehensive art
school as well as an exhibition space,
dedicated to contemporary art. I
have highlighted only a few of the
many places to see and learn about
art in New Jersey and New York. To
make it a completely enjoyable expe-
rience, simply add a favorite restau-
rant or treat to top off the day.
www.theconnectionsnj.com