In this age of computers and smart phones, reading to your child is more important than ever. Studies show that technology has made people lonelier than ever.
After scanning a recent grocery flyer, I was surprised to see an ad for boxed lunches for kids. Are parents that busy? Making lunch for your child is Parenting 101.
I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised in an age when 4 year olds hold Apple ipads instead of parents’ hands because parents are too busy to spend time with them.
Sadly we have gone from latchkey children to surrogate parenting. There has got to be a better way.
We’ve forgotten the lesson of Covid. Relationships matter. Our time with our children matters.
One of the truest predictors of future success is the amount of reading that children do at a young age. The amount of time children read and are read to predicts whether they will be successful.
Taking a clue from the book, I painted the modernist bridge against the anachronist Red lighthouse. My contemporary approach in the lighthouse art painting is a delightful, refreshing and compelling contrast to the historic lighthouse.
The Art Guild of Orange Park is partnering with St. Johns Day School for an exhibit at their new Performing Arts Center. See breathtaking art by artists from local artists. Orange Park, Florida now through January 6, 2025.
I selected my painting of the Little Red Lighthouse, or Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse, as it reflects the power of children to create change.
Made famous by the children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde W. Swift and Lynd Ward, the story inspired hundreds of children to write letters that saved the lighthouse.
Today, it stands as the last lighthouse on the Hudson River and the only remaining one in Manhattan. A tribute to the power of youth.
A meet and greet for students begins on October 28 at 2 pm and concludes at 4 pm with parents joining in on the discussion.
In 1871 during Florida reconstruction, Congress appropriated $100,000 for a new St. Augustine Lighthouse. African Americans were a part of the work crew.
In the 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King and leaders of the Southern Christian Conference Leadership undertook a pivotal journey to St. Augustine, Florida. Their mission was to galvanize the nation in support of civil rights, recognizing the city’s potential to shape the racial landscape of Florida. Dr. King, addressing issues such as federal funding for the city’s segregated 400th birthday celebration, sought national attention.
As St. Augustine geared up for its quadricentennial celebration, racial tensions escalated, drawing national attention due to violent acts by the Ku Klux Klan, white citizens, and local police against peaceful protesters. Amidst this turmoil, an assassination attempt was made on Dr. King during his May 1964 visit. Subsequently, his arrest in June, stemming from a request to be served at a whites-only hotel, further highlighted the city’s struggles.
Despite facing adversity, Dr. King resisted leaving St. Augustine when a Grand Jury advised him to do so, aiming to prevent negative repercussions on the stalled Civil Rights Bill in Congress. In response to the unrest, Florida’s Governor formed a biracial committee on June 30.
Interestingly, the leaders of the National SCLC left St. Augustine just a day before the historic passage of the Civil Rights Bill on June 1. Some argue that media coverage of the tumultuous events in St. Augustine played a pivotal role in garnering support for the Civil Rights Bill. Dr. King himself later reflected that St. Augustine bore the cross of “suffering and violence” that contributed significantly to Congress passing the Civil Rights Bill of 1964.
Explore the Miami Beach Art Deco District through of the eyes children. Splash and Color is an 18 page multicultural coloring book featuring popular sites in Florida’s second most popular destination.
This year, Miami Beach Art Deco Weekend celebrates Florida’s Historic Coastal. These destinations alone draw tourists from around the world. Close to 100.00 visitors attended Miami Beach Art Deco Weekend last year.
The event has expanded, offering free fitness classes, a Classic Car Show, live jazz, an Artisan Market, Kids Zone, and more.
The Arf Deco Dog Walk adds a playful touch, while tours and sketch walks provide additional highlights.
The weekend not only honors Barbara Capitman’s contributions but also advocates for the preservation of the city’s rich architectural heritage,
Capitman’s unwavering vision and determination gave rise to the iconic Art Deco District, the first 20th-century neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She was the founder of the Miami Design Preservation League.
Splash and Color is an 18 page multicultural coloring book featuring popular sites in Florida’s second most popular destination.
Miami Beach is a hub of creativity. In December, Art lovers from around the world flock to its sunny shores during Art Basel; the United States biggest art fair.
Art Deco Weekend continues the momentum and fanfare on January 13-15. Its 800 plus Art Deco buildings are the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world.
Explore the Miami Beach Art Deco District through the eyes of children. Splash and Color is an 18 page multicultural coloring book featuring popular sites in Florida’s second most popular destination.
After being rebuilt several times, the lighthouse was discontinued in 1880.
The island of Nantucket, once known as the “Whaling Capital” of the world, is featured in Herman Melville’s classic novel, “Moby Dick.” Melville’s fictional and infamous whaling ship, Pequod, was home ported in Nantucket.
The first Brant Point Lighthouse in Nantucket was built in 1746 after Sea Captains demanded a lighthouse to protect their investments.
Captains Prince Boston, Absalom Boston and Edward Pompey are a few of the known African American Whaling Captains.
During airshow season, the Blue Angels team is stationed at Fort Sherman Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Their mission is to bring aviation to men, women and children across America. For over 70 years they have mesmerized over more than 450 million spectators.
It is in the nature of a child to dream. Adults sometimes dismiss these dreams as wishful thinking forgetting they once had childhood dreams.
As planes flew over his family farm in Georgia, Donnie Cochran began dreaming of becoming a pilot. The farm seemed to beckon the aircraft. Because the planes’ flight path was over the farm, the daily sighting became a ritual.
When he became older he pursued his dream and became a Navy pilot. The challenge of flying the fighter and flying off a Navy ship inspired him. In 1976, he graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the Navy.
In 1986, Commander Donnie Cochran became the first African American to become a member of the Blue Angel Flight team. He also made history in 1995 and 1996 by becoming the first African American Blue Angels commanding officer.
James Gould was the builder and first official keeper at St. Simons Lighthouse. After being awarded a contract to build the in 1807, he was appointed as the first light keeper at St. Simons. In 1830 he was paid $17000 to build a keeper’s dwelling. He served as light keeper for 27 years without an assistant lighthouse keeper.
Enslaved Black people often fulfilled the duties of a light keeper. They filled in when the light keeper was absent or sick.
In 1836, an elderly African American woman assisted in the keeping of St. Simons Lighthouse. She served while the lighthouse keeper was incapacitated with grout. James Gould was the Head Light Keeper during that time. He was the builder and first keeper at St. Simons Lighthouse.
Every President since Gerald Ford has declared February as Black History Month and proclaimed a theme. This year’s theme is Black Health and Wellness.
Carter G. Woodson helped found a group that began what was initially Black History week. They chose the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.
Kizzmekia Corbett, an African American, is praised as the scientist behind the Covid vaccine. Corbett made headlines when she was part of a team that met with President Trump at the National Health Institute. “Corbett said that her participation during that event marked an important step forward for young scientists and people of color.”
She has a track record of excellence. When Corbett was a student she was selected for the Project Seed Project. The program for gifted minority students gave her the opportunity to study chemistry labs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Afterwards she received a full scholarship to the University of Maryland. During the summer, she earned an internship at the NIH.
After graduation began her doctoral studies at Chapel Hill. She worked as a research assistant studying viral infections. She received her PhD in microbiology and immunology.
Time honored her as “Hero of the Year” for her leadership in developing the Covid Vaccine.
Improved Academic Performance: Studies show that there is a correlation between art and other achievement.
“Dear Jackson,
I hear you’re having trouble in school. Forget about that place. Why don’t you join me in New York? If you’re serious about becoming an artist, this is the place to be anyway. You can study at the Art Students League….”
Jackson Pollock is the most challenging and influential American artist of the 20th century. He was the “first action” painter, meaning he would drip, pour, throw, and splash his paint onto very large canvases which he laid flat on the floor. He is nicknamed “Jack the Dripper.”
He was born in Cody, Wyoming and grew up in Arizona and California. He studied painting at Manual Arts High School, Los Angeles. He dropped out after being encouraged to move to New York by his older brother. He studied under Thomas Hart at the Art Students League.
Multicultural Art 4 Kids 