MaryAnn Kohl Helps to Teach Great Artists
by Theresa Carpine1/21/2009 4:01:28 PM
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MaryAnn Kohl appreciates crafts, but her life’s passion is art.
“Crafts are about kids following directions and making something that the adult has already decided they are going to make,” MaryAnn explained in a phone interview. “With art, adults give the kids certain materials, but the outcome is up to the child.”
Bug n' Bean Soup in the style of Andy Warhol, by Rebekah Butler, 11.
Image used with permission by MaryAnn KohlIt might seem like a subtle distinction, but this Bellingham author has been publishing art activity books for children for over 20 years to help kids, and the adults in charge of them, understand that difference and to learn that art is important and worthwhile.
MaryAnn has lived in Bellingham since 1971. She was a teacher in Ferndale until becoming a parent. She later began doing workshops on creativity and art projects for other teachers and parents, and saw that she could do more.
“I had all these handouts that I made for the workshops, so I decided to try to get them published,” MaryAnn said. With a family history in bookstore ownership and bookbinding, MaryAnn felt confident enough to start her own publishing company and self-published her first book in 1985. MaryAnn has been publishing new books on a regular basis ever since, and she continues to consult in schools and teach art workshops for parents.
Grandma Moses by Abbi Garcia, 10.
Image used with permission by MaryAnn KohlComing up on January 28, 2009, MaryAnn will be leading a workshop at Village Books for parents, teachers, and others that work with children. She’ll be referring to her most recently published book, Great American Artists for Kids, which offers artist biographies, full-color artwork, and a multitude of ideas for art projects that will help kids learn the styles of the masters.
“I wanted to do a follow-up to Discovering Great Artists and decided to focus on American artists since so many are great for kids,” MaryAnn said. Great American Artists for Kids includes entries on over 70 artists, spanning various styles and artistic mediums over the past 200 years.
MaryAnn is especially proud that Great American Artists for Kids is a full-color book at an affordable price (suggested retail price is $19.95). “It’s almost unheard of to do a color book at that price, but it’s important for me to get things like this to children,” she said. “My general mission statement is to bring good things to children.”
When asked which art lesson in the book is her favorite, MaryAnn said that her favorite changes. "It's more interesting to see which projects the kids like," she explained. "Sometimes what they respond to surprises me."
A project that is often popular with kids is “Surreal Tableau Photo” (page 103), which mimics surrealist photographer Sandy Skoglund’s abstract scenes incorporating objects and actors. “For kids, surreal means funny, and it’s like playing house for them. I’ve never seen a kid so deeply involved in anything in my life,” MaryAnn said, recalling how engaged the kids were in creating their scene.
Cover of "Great American Artists for Kids"
Image used with permission by MaryAnn KohlTo help kids get excited about art, MaryAnn recommended having art supplies at home in a place of easy access. “Keep a variety of things—scissors, glue, crayons, paper, magazines, yarn, buttons—within their reach so kids don’t have to ask permission to create art,” she suggested. “And turn off anything with a screen so kids can really get involved in creating art.”
If you’d like to get more ideas for art projects for kids, check out MaryAnn’s workshop at Village Books on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 7 PM. The workshop is free and no pre-registration is required. Visit Bright Ring Publishing for more information on MaryAnn and her books, and check Neighborhood-Kids.com Activities for future parent and teacher workshops by MaryAnn in Bellingham and Whatcom County.