by Nancy Smitherman
As an artist and a certified art educator for more than 30 years, I have always been passionate about unlocking creativity in others. As I read through Genesis where it says that God created man in His own image, I realized that every human being has creative potential. It may be in different forms of creativity such as music, dance, architecture, writing, visual arts, etc., but there is a unique creative aspect in each person waiting to be unlocked.
As a young teacher I wanted to teach young people what I loved about art so they could discover their own way to express themselves. After several years of teaching the basics of design I discovered only one or two students who felt they were good at art, so I set out on a mission to figure out how to unlock the creative side of the brain to help all students achieve a higher level of expression. I discovered that the brain receives information through the eye by observation, different from a computer, which only gives out what has been put into it.
If people are taught to really see, the information gathered could add new thoughts and ideas to their lives. This realization sent me out on a journey to teach what I call a “visual language,” through the use of visual art. As people are taught the A B C’s of a visual language, they can be released from child-like thinking, to a higher level of cognition and self-expression.
If they are taught to see shapes, use line, color with different aspects and values, 3D perspective, and negative space, (all abstract concepts), they can become excellent observers. They will also be better equipped to use their entire brain and utilize what they are learning in the other disciplines of education (science, language, technology, and math).
The new buzzword in education is STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. This emphasis, however, is based on a linear model (math and science only), and lacks the creative aspects that allow for comprehension of new ideas by experiencing new ways of designing and thinking. By adding the arts back into education (STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), students with different learning styles are given an equal opportunity to excel as part of a curriculum that educates the whole brain.
During my time in the classroom the Lord showed me in Ephesians 2:10; we are God’s workmanship (His masterpiece) created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. I sensed He was calling me to more than just educating the brain, but to also reach the hearts of my students. Since we are all uniquely designed and have a soul that He desires to fill, I wanted to make a difference in as many children as I could. I am now on a mission to teach adults and educators alike who could learn this visual language, and in turn, influence more people and students than I could ever reach on my own.
I have found quite a few people who needed to be introduced to this new way of thinking and who, by using the right side of their brain (creative dominant), could become more successful as people and educators if they were able to do so.
I also saw many students who learned new skills, which enabled them to succeed, along with self-motivation. Education became more intriguing and they looked forward to what they could discover at school.
This summer, God has given me an opportunity to serve Him with my passions at New Bethel Transformational Church’s Summer Outreach Camp, whose mission is to teach Biblical principles to inner-city children and families so they can go back into their neighborhoods and schools as heroes of their faith. Many of these children would otherwise be left to themselves or on the streets. These children come from homes that lack more than just financial means; they lack a biblical view of God’s unconditional love and the hope that He alone can give them if they put their trust in Christ. They are so hungry to learn and be accepted and loved, that it is a joy to serve there. They need to see themselves and life in a new and better way.
Pastors Monica and Kecert Turner have seen God do miracles in the lives of these children and their parents in just the past few weeks. We are bringing hope to a lost and dying generation of people right here in our backyard neighborhoods through the message of Christ.
I feel like a missionary bringing hope when I see the eyes of more than 60 children light up as they see God’s beauty in creation and that they are capable of learning as the apply this new visual language and produce a beautiful work of art. My goal is that every child will go home this summer with their own painted canvas to serve as a reminder that they too are valuable and have a future and a hope if they continue to follow the Creator.
