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adly, one of the first critical elements of education cut when budgets are considered are arts programs. This is despite the fact that credible research has proven that the arts instill creativity and allow many students a means of becoming better learners in all other fields of study.

This applies not only to the visual arts, but to music, dance, vocals, etc. Once their minds are engaged, they carry this excitement about learning and expression into all of their other fields of study. That is why we do our children such a disservice when we remove art programs from education, especially during their early, formative years.

Consider this. In human history we first settled in caves. We then domesticated fire. Then we decorated the caves we were living in…art! Art does go back that far and is that ingrained in our culture and souls.

That why it is so wonderful to have people like art instructor Constance Goeghegan who dedicates her time and energy to bringing art to young minds. Goeghegan, who teaches at Joseph L. Frazier Elementary School which used to be Northside Elementary School, has opened this door to her kids and now to you.

Following the quote by Pablo Picasso “Every Child is an Artist,” Goeghegan has turned her students loose to express themselves. She did not limit them to one particular medium, but allowed them the freedom to choose for themselves the means of expression and the subject matter of interest.

As a result, these young people, kindergarten through fifth grade, have applied crayons, markers, pencils and paints to express their creative inner spirit. It is so wonderful to look at their work because at this age they are completely uninhibited. They paint and draw what they feel and wish to express without fear of being judged or even concerns about how to properly use the chosen medium. Their work is just an explosion of passion and fun.

Even more exciting, take the opportunity to speak with these young artists about their work. Their ideas and creative process is often astounding. Children are unfiltered in every respect. Couple this with giving them the freedom to express themselves and the results can be almost overwhelming.

Geoghegan’s students from Joseph Frazier Elementary School will be exhibiting their works at Arts Natchez at 425 Main Street downtown throughout the month of March. Take a moment to drink in their art and allow yourself to see the world through the eyes of a child.

In fact, it might be advised to everyone to do this at some time this month. We often tend to take ourselves and our circumstances far too seriously. Children have a healthy way of bringing us back to reality — their reality — which is a wonderful playground for children of all ages.

Arts Natchez Gallery is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., seven days a week. Come check out the youthful Frazier Elementary works of art.
Ron Chapman

Arts Natchez Member