VERO BEACH — Alexis Wright is 11 years old. She loves music and art, her preferred medium being acrylic paints. She loves to paint landscapes and still lifes.
She participated in her first art gallery exhibit this month at Lighthouse Art and Framing. Representing the children in her art class, she presented a check for $150 to Monica Cheslak, Director of Resource Development at the Hibiscus Children’s Center.
The contribution reflected part of the sales of paintings, drawings, and collages done in classes conducted by Megan G. Hoots that touch on art history as well as practical execution of artistic styles.
“Teaming up with Hibiscus was Megan’s idea, and the kids really took to it. It seemed like a natural fit. Hibiscus is out there helping children in distress, and our kids wanted to do their part,” said Lighthouse owner Barry Shapiro.
There were 26 works in the exhibit, of which 18 were sold for prices ranging from $20 to $60.
“This was such a great success; a win, win for the kids and Hibiscus. We hope to make it an annual event,” Shapiro added.
The mission of Hibiscus Children’s Center is to provide safety for abused, abandoned, and neglected children through prevention programs, residential programs, shelter programs, and recovery programs.
Lighthouse Art and Framing’s children’s art programs differ from most in that the children are introduced to periods of art history and then create works that pertain to those art movements.
For example, children learn about Picasso and Braque and then create their own Cubist images. Alexis’s Cubist work titled “Dora Marr by Pablo Picasso” was the first sale of the exhibit.
Children in the workshops ranged in age from 4 to 16. It’s a unique approach to learning that stimulates their thinking process as well as creative abilities.
For more information about Hibiscus Children’s Center, please call Monica Cheslak at (772) 978-9313.
For more information about children’s art programs at Lighthouse Art and Framing, please contact Megan Hoots at (772) 567-2212.
