inspiration

Today, as part of my artist-in-residence gig, I got to do one-on-one consults with twenty Grade Six and Seven students. We brainstormed around how they might incorporate visual arts elements in their upcoming "Who I am" presentations. They've been working on the theme of identity and formative relationships for six weeks and have to bring it all together in a creative presentation next week. Some had ideas to discuss when they came to me and our consult time just expanded and solidified those ideas, but many plunked themselves down in the chair next to me with defeat written on their faces, with no idea how to present anything, let alone something that included art work. We'd talk, I'd ask questions, we'd throw around a few concepts, and I could see the wheels turning, the cogwheels of their brains zipping into action and sending off sparks. It is nothing short of thrilling to see an eleven year old who began the consult looking like an world-weary senior citizen gradually turn into a bright, bouncing ball of creative energy. It was like watching something bloom in time-lapse photography, observing the rapid transformation of a bored and indifferent adolescent into a confident pre-teen artistic genius. It was beautiful to behold.

The classroom teacher-on-call told me after class that it was great to see the kids leave their consult sessions so inspired. She only saw half of it. I came away from the experience not just inspired, but blown out of the water by the ideas of these young minds. What a privilege it is to be part of the mutually gratifying process of inspiration.