What activity at the Lehigh Valley Zoo last Friday had children and adults lining up, waiting for a chance to try their hand at something new? It was the opportunity to have their first experience of throwing a pot, compliments of Artists at Heart of Whitehall. More than 70 children and adults patiently waited their turn to try one of mankind’s oldest arts. In turn, each one donned an apron and sat up on the stool. Soon they were in that smiling trance that comes with working with clay.
From earliest times, humans have worked with clay to produce useful as well as decorative items. Children fashioned clay into copies of adult pieces, using them in play and as a form of expression.
Children today have the same need to create and imagine. The ability to form clay into infinite shapes and pieces engages the mind and imagination of children; it fosters development of motor skills, as well.
Artists at Heart brings this wonderful experience to all ages. In a world where most of the toys children play with are designed and created by adults, playing with clay offers a completely different way for children to imagine and create objects and toys completely of their own making.
Mary Szakmeister
mary@artistsatheart.com
twitter: @ArtistsatHeart
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website: www.artistsatheart.com