Festival of the Arts’ Young at Art Mart lets kids become collectors
A young art collector shops for prints at the Young at Art Mart at the 2009 Festival of the Arts on Friday. (Photo by Steve Gooch/The Oklahoman)
A version of this story also appears in Saturday’s The Oklahoman.
Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts has creations for the young at art
The boldly lettered sign across the entrance reads “Sorry, no adults allowed,” the first clue that the Young at Art Mart is different from other tents at the Festival of the Arts.
That sign makes the tent a favored attraction at the Youth Plaza on the east side of the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
“I think it’s very cool. You can go in and see all these different pieces of art. And it’s really unique. … Parents are always behind you telling you, ‘No you can’t buy this (or) it’s too expensive,” Lydia Shelton, 9, of Oklahoma City said Friday, showing the floral painting on wood she picked, while her brother, Grant, 7, carried his new wooden car.
The Young at Art Mart offers children 12 and younger the chance to buy original art created by many of the festival’s juried artists. All the works are priced at $5 or less.
The goal is to foster in children a love of art and collecting artwork.
“It’s wildly popular. The children love it. They can go in and find a Mother’s Day gift, a birthday gift or something they can hang in their rooms,” said Festival Director Angela Cozby.
Parents can wait just inside the tent’s entrance. out of the brisk winds and beaming sun. But only children and festival volunteers are allowed in the inner “circle,” where colorful abstract paintings, stunning nature photographs, painted wood plaques and more are exhibited in low displays.
The “no adults” rule sometimes catches parents off guard, but many appreciate it. – even if they are a bit envious of the deals their kids are getting.
“They pick all sorts of art out of there, pots, little metal work like flowers, and of course, photographs and paintings,” said Kathleen Tate of Oklahoma City. “They all have different personalities and they can pick something that reflects that.”
Tate used to send her four children into the mart; on Friday, she waited while her granddaughter, Taryn Ashley, 9, looked for the perfect purchase.
Youngsters can buy one item per day from the mart. Taryn took her time browsing before choosing a “cool” photo of a blue frog by artist Ron Mellott.
While her three children shopped, Nikkita Grant of Oklahoma City couldn’t resist the urge to coach them to and away from certain purchases as she stood at the tent entrance.
“I want something out of here, too. I am jealous,” she said with a laugh. “This is the No. 1 reason why we came, to encourage my kids to appreciate art.”
-BAM
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