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Could your child be the next big artist? That's what KSL and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts wants to find out.
With the popularity of the Monet to Picasso exhibit, we've teamed up with the museum to hold a contest to find the next Monet in the making.
Four-year-old Olivia paints, draws, colors and makes puppets. "She's a wonderful artist. I love everything she creates," her mother, Mary Milliner, said.
Olivia is involved in an art class at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA). Her mom enrolled her. "I love that she knows about beautiful art, and beautiful things, and being creative," Mary said.
Who knows? Olivia could be the winner of the Future Masters Art Contest.
"We are working with KSL to have works of art submitted through the KSL Web site, and to the museum; and the museum will judge the different age groups," explained Gretchen Dietrich, director of public programs and curatorial affairs at UMFA.
The age groups are 6 to 8, 9 to 11 and 12 to 14. The winner of each group will get a year-long family membership to the museum, a chance for their artwork to be highlighted on Studio 5, and a private art lesson with artist Brian Kirshisnek.
Anyone you ask at the museum feels strongly that children should be involved in the arts at a young age.
"One of the reasons kids should be involved in the arts is it gives them an alternative way of communicating, and really building looking skills, so they can pay attention to the kids around them," said Megan Hallett, curator of education at the UMFA.
Hallet recommends showing your children pictures of all types of art, and encouraging them to use all sorts of materials to create, to get their creative juices flowing. "There are so many art supplies you can get now to make it a lot more fun," she said.
Meanwhile, even if Olivia doesn't win the contest, or doesn't grow up to be an artist, her mother still thinks art is good for her. "Let kids create what they want and let them know it's great, original and unique," Mary said.
If you want to get your child involved with arts at the Utah Muesum of Fine Arts, every third Saturday they have free art class for you and your child. It's from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. every month.
For more information on the KSL and UMFA Future Masters Art Contest, click the related link to the right of the story.
E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com
