Children, watercolor and the future of art

Monday, November 21, 2011

CEBU'S youngest artists in Cebu’s oldest home.” The theme for that day’s event was impeccably translated into a wonderful scene of children running about an old museum: just wandering about anywhere else but near their artworks.

The Abraham’s Children Montessori Inc. Kindergarten based in Cogon, Pardo had a culminating art show of sorts on Oct. 14 where the children, around two to six years old, displayed their school works for their parents and guests at Museo de Parian (1730 Jesuit House) along Zulueta St., Cebu City.

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This place claims to be the “oldest house in the Philippines.” To witness with your eyes these children born in the new millennium, whose feet that day were literally in touch with the country’s history, added to the moment’s effect.

In the far corner of the room stood a German artist who had undoubtedly earned the respect of these little students. He got on his knees for some photographs with his energetic bunch of budding protégés—this man is their art teacher.

“At first, when I started teaching these kids, I was a bit shocked,” shared Andreas Löschner-Gornau, a German artist and designer who has been in Cebu since 2003, about the challenges of teaching children an intricate trade such as the arts.

“But now I really enjoy it. I know a lot of people say this, but, it is true—these kids are really our future.”

A quick glance at the children’s works will remind you that they are kindergarteners and not professionals who have trained their whole lives to paint realist images or abstract expressions.

That said, some of these works are actually scribbles, dabs and splatters of watercolor on what used to be a clean sheet of paper. But a look around at the smiles from everyone inside the room will tell you that the celebration went beyond what was seen on paper; but what had been started and planted in each of the children’s hearts.

“I don’t believe arts can immediately change the world. The world has to change itself first. But if you can teach the kids about the beauty of art, imagine what this world is going to be like. It will be beautiful.”

“I’m just one artist. Imagine what could happen if the millions of artists around the world would also teach children,” Andreas shared.

True enough, the present mood in this house centuries old is already an indicator of how arts can affect the future: jovial, varied and unpredictable.
“Start them young,” as our elders love to say.