The Wee Create studio has been spreading the magic of sensory art for kids since 2017. In this month’s blog post, we’ll hear from our very own Amy Major - owner and founder of Wee Create. Amy received her Bachelors in Art Education from the University of Missouri - Columbia and her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from UMKC. In this post, she shares her passion behind the studio and what makes Wee Create so unique!
What is your background? What made you want to open an art studio for kids?
Amy: I was an elementary art teacher for 8 years before getting married and starting a family. Once my kids were a little older, I really wanted to get back into making art with kids. However, I didn’t want to go back into the school setting. I set out on a search for the perfect avenue and this is when I developed Wee Create.
What makes the Wee Create experience different from other art classes for kids?
Amy: Wee Create is different in multiple ways! We offer a variety of programs that fit lots of kids' interests. We are a process-art based studio, which allows kids to focus on the activity of creating and not as much on the final product. They are given the opportunity for more choices and have more autonomy over their artwork. At Wee Create, we also focus on the importance of sensory experiences. We value the importance of kids “getting their hands dirty,” and always [offer] a variety of sensory activities they can participate in.
Why do you use process-based art at Wee Create?
Amy: …Process-based education in general allows the child to learn through the process of doing. [It] allows for choice in their artwork [and] provides activities and projects that are “open-ended” and not cookie cutter, or a copy of what the teacher made. There is some general instruction, examples and useful tips, but the artworks feel more personalized and unique. It gives the ownership of the artwork and the experience back to the artist.
What is your favorite part about being able to offer these art experiences to kids?
Amy: I love watching the kids discover new ways and creative processes for themselves. Having confidence that their artwork is valid and exactly the way it should be when they are finished. I love watching the kids grow and develop over the years they are in the studio. And simply the joy it brings to them with the freedom of creative exploration.
What is your favorite class/workshop/camp that you have offered?
Amy: I love our Collaborative Canvas workshops/camps/classes. A collaborative canvas is just what it sounds like: an artwork that is created by a group of artists. We do these in classes and with families. It’s magic to watch these masterpieces come to life with no instruction whatsoever, and with a variety of artists' marks.
It’s your turn!
Have you discovered what makes Wee Create such a special place? The studio wouldn’t be the same without all of the amazing children and families who show up to learn, play, and create. It’s been a fantastic journey over the last 7 years, and there are more great things to come. Thank you for being a part of this community!