Did you know art is important to a youth’s development?

“Art education is considered a luxury, however, learning to create and appreciate is important to the development of our children as they are growing up,” Meridian Museum of Art Executive Director Kate Cherry said.

Meridian Museum of Art is offering classes from June 11-July 21 for youth ages 4-17.  Classes in the introduction to art, drawing, painting, and various media will be held at the downtown Museum.

According to Cherry, art helps youth with:

• Motor Skills: Many of the motions involved in making art, such as holding a paintbrush or scribbling with a crayon, are essential to the growth of fine motor skills in young children.

• Language Development: For children, art—or just talking about it—provides opportunities to learn new words for colors, shapes and actions.

• Decision Making: According to a report by Americans for the Arts, art education strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. The experience of making decisions and choices in the course of creating art carries over into other parts of life.

• Visual Learning: Drawing, sculpting with clay and threading beads on a string all develop visual-spatial skills, which are more important than ever for eye-hand-coordination.

• Inventiveness: When kids are encouraged to express themselves and take risks in creating art, they develop a sense of innovation that will be important in their adult lives.

• Improved Academic Performance: Studies show that there is a correlation between art and other achievements.

At the end of the summer, a special exhibit of artwork created by the museum’s art class students will be held July 29. 

For more information and registration, check the Meridian Museum of Art website meridianmuseum.org – youth classes.

Meridian Museum of Art is open Tuesday-Saturday, from 11 a.m. -4 p.m., and by appointment. Admission is always free to the museum, which is located at 628 25th Ave. 

• Meridian Museum of Art is partially sponsored by the city of Meridian, Mississippi Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, The Phil Hardin Foundation, The Riley Foundation, The Community Foundation of East Mississippi and the Rea, Shaw, Giffin, and Stuart, CPAs.