In 2011, the General Assembly of the International Association of Art declared April 15 to be World Art Day. That date was chosen because it is the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, an artist who embodies the spirit of creativity, innovation, and imagination.
Art comes in a variety of forms — including architecture, music, painting, sculpting, dance, literature, and film — and our area is rich with opportunities to view, appreciate, support, and create art. Art has such a diverse range because it is a way for people to express themselves through creativity.
World Art Day is an opportunity to notice the beauty in your own life, as well as a chance to discover new ways to express yourself through art. Here are 5 fun ways to celebrate art on World Art Day — or any day that needs a little more loveliness!
1. Encourage creativity.
It's no secret that books are one of my favorite art forms.
Here's a list of 5 of our favorites that will serve a dual purpose: you can appreciate the art held in the words and images themselves while also sparking your inner artist.
- Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg (ages 2-6): This book demonstrates the many ways that torn, crinkled, and smudged bits of paper can be transformed into various shapes and images.
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt (ages 3-6): When Duncan arrives at school one morning, he finds a stack of letters, one from each of his crayons, complaining about how he uses them.
- The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola (ages 4-7): Having learned to be creative in drawing pictures at home, young Tommy is dismayed when he goes to school and finds the art lesson there much more regimented.
- The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds (ages 4-7): Vashti believes that she cannot draw, but her art teacher's encouragement leads her to change her mind.
- Ish by Peter H. Reynolds (ages 4-8): Ramon loses confidence in his ability to draw, but his sister gives him a new perspective on things.
And here are 5 beautiful books about a few of the world's most famous artists:
- Vincent's Colors by Vincent van Gogh (ages 3-6): This book pairs the artist's paintings with his own words, introducing young readers to all the colors of the rainbow and beyond.
- The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock (ages 3-8): Vasily Kandinsky, a proper Russian boy, doesn't want to paint houses and trees. He wants to paint what he hears when he looks at the colors in his paintbox.
- Me, Frida by Amy Novesky (ages 5-7): Frida Kahlo feels lost and lonely when she arrives in San Francisco with her husband, the famous artist Diego Rivera. But as she begins to explore the city, she discovers the inspiration she needs to become one of the most celebrated artists of all time.
- The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau by Michelle Markel (ages 5-9): A child's biography of the French artist who spent his life as a toll collector but created unheralded masterpieces in his spare time.
- Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe (ages 5-9): Before his collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980s, Jean-Michel Basquiat was a little boy who saw art everywhere: in poetry books and museums, in games and in the words that we speak, and in the pulsing energy of New York City.
2. Discover your happy medium.
If you think you're not an artist, it may simply be because you haven't found the right medium to use to express yourself!
Try your hand at making candles or a latch-hook rug. Wander the aisles of your local hobby store to see what draws your eye, or peruse this list of 25 types of crafts you can try from CraftsBliss.
3. DIY at home.
Now it's time to explore your artistic side. These spring crafts will make your creativity blossom!
- Carton Bird Feeder
- Fairy House or Gnome Home
- Insect Hotel for Pollinators
- Mess-Free Chalk Paint
- Sponge Grass Garden
4. Get crafty around town.
No matter how crafty you might be, there is some art that would be quite difficult to create at home. After all, not too many folks have a kiln in their house!
Besides, when you make art at a studio, you don't have any mess to clean up (other than your own hands, face, and clothes)!
Our libraries and recreation centers offer a variety of art-focused classes and programs. Here are a few other places to visit:
- The Art Studio at Children's Museum of Denver | Denver
- Arts on Fire | Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch
- Glaze and Phase | Englewood
- My Art Experience | Parker
- Pot-Luck | Denver
5. Explore an art display.
Did you know that Denver International Airport has one of the most extensive public art displays in the nation? From the blue Mustang statue outside the airport to rotating exhibits to the spinning art on the walls of the train tunnels, you could spend hours roaming the terminals and admiring the art displays!
Since 1988, the City of Denver has invested millions in public art for its residents. Many of our gardens and art museums are very kid-friendly, but if you're skeptical about taking your child with you to explore art, read our 7 tips for a successful visit to an art museum with kids, then plan your next adventure!
- Located just south of downtown, Denver's Art District on Santa Fe features over 30 galleries, studios, and creative spaces.
- The Colorado State Capitol is home to a variety of historical and artistic features, including murals, stained glass windows, and sculptures.
- The Denver Art Museum has free admission for kids 18 and under and family-friendly areas and activities.
- The Denver Botanic Gardens feature outdoor sculptures and art installations, as well as a rotating schedule of indoor exhibitions.
- Marjorie Park is filled with giant sculptures that take you through the story of Alice in Wonderland. Please note that the park is currently accessible during special events, tours, and by appointment only.
