A streetscape by Brooklyn, Faribault Lutheran School. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo March 2017.
SEVERAL DAYS AGO, I tore a sheet from a coloring book, sat down and colored a picture of a butterfly and flowers for my nearly four-year-old granddaughter. Isabelle asked for art, something she can look at when she misses me. She remembered my comment about thinking of her whenever I see her art displayed on my fridge.
As I colored, including Izzy’s favorite purple and pink, I thought of this sweet little girl and how much I love her. And now this art would visually connect us in our absence from one another.
Art is powerful. In this instance, it shows Izzy that I love her, that I am always here for her, even when I’m not.
Viewing student art inside the second floor gallery at the Paradise Center for the Arts. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
This evening marks the opening reception for a favorite annual local art show, Area Student Exhibition, at the Paradise Center for the Arts in historic downtown Faribault from 5-7 pm. Art created by students from elementary to high school age and from 10 area schools will line hallways and gallery space on the second floor.
The show runs through April 10.
Every single year the work of these young artists impresses me. Part of the credit goes to teachers and parents who guide them. But most of the kudos go to the youth. They are the ones who do the work, although I hope they don’t consider creating art to be work or just some assignment they need to finish. I hope they find joy in the thinking, in the doing, in the creative process.
Henry Johnson of Nerstrand Charter School created this vivid work of art. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
For those of us who are artists—and I consider myself one as a writer and a photographer—making art is a passion. I love words and writing, whether a blog post, an essay, a feature story, a poem, a short story or a piece of creative nonfiction. I love using my camera to photograph the world around me. I love telling stories via my images and my words. Creating brings me joy.
Will Izzy create like me some day? Who knows? For now she primarily embraces the performing arts, dancing her way into my heart with her sweetness, her hugs, her “I love you, Grandma,” and the occasional ballet performance.
© Copyright 2020 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I love this story about Izzy. Thanks for sharing that as part of your post about the art by the local youth which is sure to be a great event for your community.
Izzy isn’t big into hands-on art. But she tries and Grandma wanted to reciprocate.
Izzy is such a SWEETIE – love the connection/bond the two of you have 🙂 I love having an inner child – love to be curious, use my imagination and get my creative on. Happy Day – Happy Weekend – Enjoy!
Izzy and I have a special bond for sure. I love spending time with her. She is the sweetest little girl and her little brother is the same.
I too want to comment on the connection with artwork of you and Izzy…you have something to remind you of her and now she has a visual reminder of you. Sweet!
I agree. It’s sweet. And something I will continue to emphasize with her.