Little toddler fingers sticky with glue, reached into the container of sequins. Hello, bling! Shiny stars and hearts stuck well and the tiny artist was completely fascinated by his magical-looking hand.
At the Holiday Bazaar where students could sell their art, we also had a little art making room for kids. And adults wandered back there too, and I have no doubt that we all experienced art as therapy that day.
1976 was a year without much money to buy presents and it became the holiday when everyone got salt-dough ornaments from me. I honestly had so much fun making them that I made a whole nativity set out of salt-dough. I still have it.
On 2011’s holiday to-do-list, I don’t see any opportunities for glue, glitter, yarn or sequins. This needs to change! Messy creative fun needs to come back to my holiday. Watch out, dear friends, there could be a salt-dough angel or a popsicle-stick jewelry box heading your way!
Whatever holiday tradition you hold dear as the year ends and a new journey begins, may you have some messy, glittery fun. Warmest wishes for 2012.
About the Moderator
Magdalena is the moderator of the online Art Gallery and Paintsplash for Southwestern College. She is also an adjunct faculty member at the college in the Art Therapy program. Magdalena is a therapist at Youth Shelters in Santa Fe, working with Art, Sandplay, and relationship focused techniques with families, adults, teens, and children.
