Why Children’s Art Matters with Dr Piscitelli Coffs Coast Coffs Coast by News Of The Area - Modern Media - February 12, 2021February 15, 2021 Dr Barbra Piscitelli will be sharing her knowledge and some of her own collection. Photo by Joe Ruckli courtesy of the State Library of Queensland. FRIENDS of Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery are proud to present the upcoming event ‘Why Children’s Art Matters’ at the Regional Gallery on February 19 from 4.30 to 6.30. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Drawing from the success of the Bushfire Recovery Arts Program, the Coffs Coast Young Archie Competition in association with the 2019 Archibald Prize exhibition, the talks will explore child-centred practice in museums and galleries. The talks feature Dr Barbara Piscitelli AM, a leading academic and advocate for the cultural education of our youth. Dr Piscitelli will discuss the value of children’s art for communities and their representation in gallery and museum collections. A renowned collector and curator of children’s art, Barbara will share why children’s perspectives matter, and how children are our future audiences and educators. Dr Piscitelli said, “Children’s Art Matters is a talk about why and how to take children’s art as much more than pretty pictures. “The talk features various lenses for exploring children’s art, including art and aesthetics, children’s rights, children’s voices, children’s artistic and creative lives, and children’s material culture.” The lecture will showcase her collection of children’s art from the 1990s to 2020, including stories about play, human rights, the pandemic and the personal lives of three to twelve year old children from China, Vietnam and Australia. “The talk provokes schools, families, communities and governments to secure investments and resources to make sure every child gets the opportunity to make their ideas known through their art and creative practice,” she said. She will be joined by Local Art Therapist Dr Emma Gentle and Arts Educator Jess Miller for a panel discussion into the importance of children’s voices in art and the role of visual arts education and arts therapy in enriching their wellbeing and future outcomes. This event is ideal for teachers, art educators, art therapists, health practitioners, psychologists, counsellors, youth workers and anyone who is interested in gaining new insights into children’s art and creative arts education. Tickets for the event are available online at Eventbrite. By Sandra MOON Arts Educator, Jess Miller will feature in the event courtesy of the Friends of Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery.Photo: Leah Moore.
