Riy's Art Show Journey — What It Took, What She Made, and What Happened
A few months ago, I saw a post in the LCC Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania Facebook group about their annual homeschool art show, so I reviewed all the rules and the categories students could enter. It says students were allowed to submit two pieces of artwork, and the show would be located at the Pine Street United Methodist Church in Williamsport on May 1st through 2nd. I brought the art show to Riy’s attention and asked if she would be interested in entering. She immediately decided to enter because she loved the idea so much.
Riy - When I first heard about the show, I felt excited and nervous at the same time.
She decided to enter into two different categories, painting (ages 5-8) and photography (ages 5-8). For the painting category, she decided to create an abstract acrylic piece. We use acrylic paints a lot when we're doing our artwork. I was actually surprised that she wanted to do abstract art, since she usually likes to paint more realistic art, but she said she wanted to do abstract art after reviewing a video of last year's and noticing there really wasn't any abstract art. For the photograph, she was thinking of either a landscape or flowers. She ended up taking an amazing photo of storm clouds approaching at sunset. She surprised me with her final choice.
Riy - I decided to photograph storm clouds at sunset because I wanted to take a picture of the clouds.
To prepare for this show, I rearranged part of the office to create a mini art studio for her, a dedicated space to work on her artwork. I made sure she had quality, artist-grade paint supplies, because when a child is this passionate about art, the materials matter.
For the photography part of her journey, I gave her my old Sony camera. I showed her how to use it and gave her advice when she needed it.
Once she had everything, I stepped back and just let her have her space to do what she wanted. This whole journey was just about her. I wanted to give her the space to find her own way of doing things, her vision, and just support her instead of directing.
When I asked Riy what it was like to make her painting, whether it was hard, easy, or surprising, she thought for a moment and said, “Hmm, I don’t know how to describe it.”
“Would you like me to explain how you picked your palette?” I asked. Her face lit up. “Yes!” So here's the story.
Riy was struggling with her palette, so I asked her if she would like some help. She said she would really like some help because she was having a hard time. So I asked her to pick her four favorite stuffed animals, the one she couldn't live without if she had to get rid of all of her stuffed animals. She looked at me so confused, but I told her to just trust me. A few minutes later, she brings me her four favorite stuffed animals, and I tell her, "Let's go to the office." I used some masking tape and a canvas to create four sections. Then I told her we were going to pick pallets based on her stuffed animals. It could be the colors on the stuffed animal, or just something she felt worked with it. I wasn't doing this to find a palette for the show. I just wanted to give her a spark of inspiration, but that's exactly what she found. With her palette decided, she got to work, and I stayed out of her way
When the day of the art show came around, Riy was so excited to see how she did that she practically ran down the sidewalk to the church. We were all so surprised at how many pieces of artwork were submitted to the art show. I saw later that day on the group's Facebook page that there were over 300 pieces of art. The way the group laid out the art show was beautifully done, with each category having its own walled-off space. We wandered through each space, looking at the artwork and enjoying the amazing work the homeschool students created. We found her painting in the third space we entered, and the photograph in the next. Her painting didn’t place, but her photograph won 2nd place! The photograph captured the clouds rolling in, deep and dramatic against the fading light — the kind of shot most adults would be proud to take.
I was so proud of her, and made sure to share with our friends and family who weren’t able to attend the art show, including Aunt Sherri, who has been giving her photography tips. Aunt Sherri was thrilled when I sent her a message about the photograph, and gave me some more advice for Riy to try.
After seeing all the work at the art show, we decided to go to Tria Prima Tea for donuts to celebrate her first art show and her second-place win in photography. She was so happy and proud of her ribbon that she skipped down the sidewalk, chanting, “Do-nuts! Do-nuts!”
Riy - Seeing my artwork on display made me feel proud because I had the courage to put myself out there. I plan to enter again next year, but I’m not sure what I want to enter yet.
While preparing for this art show, I asked Riy if she would be interested in submitting artwork and photography to a county fair. She said she definitely wanted to try entering her artwork in the fair. What does that mean? It means this journey is not over. Her creative life in the public is just beginning.
I’d love to hear from you! Does your child have a creative passion they haven't shared publicly yet? What would it take to give them that first moment?
I hope to see you all soon!