For example, at the opening of the Center's newest exhibition, Chuck Jones: An Animator's Life from A to Z-Z-Z-Z
at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, I saw over two
hundred people enthralled by Chuck's work, engaging in animated
discussions or simply absorbing the work in silence. Creativity springs
from this: Personal connection with great minds through art.
In
addition, I've been able to participate as a guest instructor in some
of the Center's unique classes in creativity, including at "Take the
Lead," the annual teen leadership summit in Fullerton, CA; Human
Options, a local shelter for women and children rebuilding their lives
after domestic violence; and Girls Inc. in Costa Mesa.
At Take the Lead and Girls Inc., we offered "Litter"-ally, It's Art! What's
so special about this class? Aside from tape and glue, nearly all the
materials used are recyclables and discards re-purposed for original
works created by budding artists. Wire…egg cartons…berry
baskets…electrical cords…ribbon and yarn…buttons…CDs and
DVDs…spools…shoe boxes…plastic bottles…cereal boxes…fabric and
felt remnants…all were transformed, in less than an hour, into
three-dimensional masterpieces, both abstract and representational.
How
does this process happen? We do something very unusual: We provide a
creative space with the freedom to experiment and have fun with
unorthodox art materials that bypass usual expectations about what art
supplies and finished art "should" look like.
The point of "Litter"-ally, It's Art!
is that, no matter where we are, we are surrounded by potential art
materials and sources of inspiration. Creativity springs from this, as
well: All we need do is pay attention and let ourselves be surprised by
the process. Chuck Jones believed in the spontaneity of the aware,
open mind–and so do we!
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