Thursday, September 24, 2015

Top 5 Reasons Why Kids Should Learn Art

Photo Credit: Arts Umbrella

What is Creativity?

Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible (such as an idea, a scientific theory, a musical composition or a joke) or an original physical object (such as an invention, a literary work or a painting).

During the creative process, it encourages us being more brave, playing with ideas, keeping an open mind and making connections between unrelated objects.

Imagine how important these characters are nowadays, whether we are employees, managers, entrepreneurs, or freelancers.

"Every child is an artist, the problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up" 
- Pablo Picasso
Unlike adults, children's imagination is infinite because they carry less or no social burdens. Therefore, creativity should be developed since childhood.  In fact, evidence also suggests that learning art will help children have positive experiences and good character traits:

  1. Appreciation: seeing the world from different perspectives
  2. Collaboration: developing ability to work with other individuals as a team who have different ideas 
  3. Alternative: self expressing using colors, diagrams, body language, and actions
  4. Concentration: staying focus and being in the moment of creating
  5. Initiative: developing good discipline and commitment, and willing to take more initiatives throughout the process of learning and practices
When it comes to high quality art programs for children, you can count on Arts Umbrella. This non profit organization is located in our beautiful Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Background of Arts Umbrella

It all started in 1979 with five, young parents whose own artistic backgrounds show how arts shape a life.

The first class was 45 eager students, and today, they program reach more than 21,500 children and youth every year. It amounts to 785 classes per year in four locations. And students range from preschoolers to pre-professionals.


Programs


Photo credit: Arts Umbrella

Their programs have been sharing creativity through the following well-rounded focuses:
  • Visual arts - e.g. Art Camps 
  • Music & theatre
  • Dance
  • Media arts
* Their funding comes from different sources such as events and exhibitions.

Events and Exhibitions

Other than regular programs, Arts Umbrella organizes different events to bring together artists and our community. Their current event, Splash + Pendulum Gallery Exhibition, is happening now:

Art Exhibit: Sept 21 - Oct 02, 2015
Art Auction - Splash: Oct 17, 2015

More about Splash:

Their Splash Event has been running as an art auction and fundraiser for 33 years! About 900 different artists have donated over those 33 years. This year we feature about 100 pieces ranging from paintings and photography to jewelry, carvings, ceramics, and furniture.  All proceeds from Splash help more than 21,000 local kids take part in high-quality arts programming each year. Splash also helps Arts Umbrella fund bursaries for struggling families, grant scholarships for talented students, and provide free programming so kids can overcome socio-economic barriers.

In the 33 years, the event has raised more than $4.7 million in net proceeds.

To preview the art for auction on Oct 17, please visit the Pendulum Gallery, a free exhibition until Oct 02.  

Giveaway

  1. Click HERE to preview the auction items online.
  2. First 10 people to share their favorite piece from the auction page on social media and tag #splash2015 will receive an Art Book from Art Umbrella (Applicable only within Canada)
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Sunday, September 6, 2015

Art Collectors Series #2: Ajay Seth

Continuing on our Art Collectors series and our 7 Simple Steps to Start your Fine Art Collection, Mr. Ajay Seth, is another international art collector we want to introduce to you today. He's also added some critical comments on collecting for investments.


He said, "to reduce the risk involved in art investments, you should consider three important aspects":


  1. Prominence and Authenticity of the Artwork
  2. The entire chain of its ownership
  3. The title of the art work.


This is a gold rule to collect fine art


Q. When did you start collecting your first piece of art? 

A. I started collecting at the age of 15. It began with collecting old and historical items, news papers etc and gradually led me towards collecting Artworks. 


Q. What is the main motivation behind your collecting?


A. I was always allured by the creativity, art entails and this is how it started. Though, over a period of time, having passed through a journey, I evolved myself as a collector and connected with the intellectual aspect of Fine Art. The art of appreciating the aesthetics of Art, its rarity and historical significance are some of the key actuations for me to acquire an artwork.  


Q. Can you please tell us more about the art you have collected so far? And how did you acquire them?


A. I have been collecting various Artworks from various Genres, including Post War Modern masters, National Treasures, contemporary art etc and of various forms including installations, assemblages, sculptors, paper works and canvasses. Some of the artists I collect are VS Gaitonde, Tyeb Mehta, SH Raza, MF Hussain, Rabindranath Tagore etc. 

I acquire them from all across including Exhibitions, auctions, galleries, collectors, etc.


Q. Can you please give us an example on how much you pay to acquire an art? And how much is the current market price?


A. I acquired a national treasure artist Rabindranath Tagore in 2007 for approximately $20,000 which is currently valued at around $300,000.


Q. Where is your favourite place to view art?


A. I like Venice Biennale very much. It's one of the craziest places to be in for art Connoisseurs. One can feel the ardor in collectors and the whole atmosphere there I an experience in itself.


Q. Where have you shown your art piece? What is your next plan for showing?


A. We are in process of creating some unique online platforms for showcasing and trading of Art, which would connect collectors with the art, artists, galleries, scholars, experts etc, as I feel online platforms are a great way of connecting people located in various parts of the world. We are also in process of launching auctions of Art and Collectibles which would showcase and offer works of rare art and artefacts.

Q. What advice would you give to new collectors who also wish to follow your path?


A. I would advise people to begin slowly and understand Art gradually through a process. Knowledge and learning is very important here, as many individuals and institutions  buy Art which has no value at a cost equal to or sometimes higher than aesthetically and commercially stronger works of Fine Art. One can begin with acquiring small works of masters at economical prices and gradually build a collection of works. It is advisable to buy works which they like and something which is aesthetically strong, rare or has historical significance which could also offer good investment opportunities, as you often can get aesthetically strong and valuable works at decent prices, which one can cherish for generations. 



Q. In your opinion, what would an artist need to do in order to be successful in the art world?


A. For an artist to be successful, he needs to have his goals predefined. One should focus more on the strength of the work and showcasing more, which is very helpful in promotions. I would suggest one to avoid churning of works in large numbers as this affects the quality. It is also important that he chooses the right gallery, which could promote his works to the requisite set of audiences with a good strategy along with partnering with the right associates. 

Thank you Mr Seth for sharing with us. Coincidently, we just posted an article about goal setting and definitely agree with Mr Seth's suggestion. Click HERE to check out our article!

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- learn how to boost your art selling
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Goal Setting - Dream Big



Dearest Artist, 


In a previous post I recommended the following book: How Positive Thinking Can be Your Key to Success.  Today we're going to review this book from a completely different perspective: "Goal Setting". You probably think, "I'm an artist and prefer to improvise along the way." 



However, don't forget you are also an entrepreneur  and in the business world, goal setting is extremely important.  



Why is setting goal(s) is important?



"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." - Tony Robbins



"Top-level athletes, successful business-people and achievers in all fields all set goals. Setting goals gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation . It focuses your acquisition of knowledge, and helps you to organize your time and your resources so that you can make the very most of your life."


Source: https://www.mindtools.com/page6.html

Basically, setting a goal will also generate a strong belief which will give you willpower to take action and acquire the necessary knowledge in order to achieve your big dreams.


One of my mentors' commented to me that there are 3 types of people:



  1. People who make things happen
  2. People who watch things happen
  3. People who wonder what happen.



The first type of people have a strong will to take action and achieve what they believe, which is their ultimate goal(s).



There is nothing magical or mystical about the power of belief.



You believe, then you will have positive attitude with "can-do" attitude, that generates energy and skills on how to do it. 


If there is a will, there is a way.


All came from predefined goals. This is also recommended by a successful international art collector - Ajay Seth. Click here to check his interview.


There is a reason 6 million people have purchased a copy of this book, "The Magic Of Thinking Big." 

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0671646788/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=0671646788&linkCode=as2&tag=bellfusi-20

Stay Artsy and Strong!~

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Subscribe: Click to subscribe if you want to...
- learn more about what's going on in the art world
- learn how to boost your art selling
- learn how to collect great art with the highest Return On Investment
for free.

Follow us in Facebook and twitter #Belle_Fusion, This means a lot to us to continue providing great source of information to you.