My nephew, Don Nibert, is a brilliant potter, a gifted musician, and a man following his own dreams.  He was a creative kid, who found his artistic niche through years of education, hard work, and determination.

He is quoted in a newspaper article as saying,  ”I like to tinker, I like to play. When I was a kid I liked to go into the basement and play with Dad’s tools.  To be a potter, you have to be a plumber, an electrician, a chemist, a physicist and a carpenter.  I made my kiln.  I make my glazes, my burners, my displays for shows.  I wired my studio. Anyone in business has to do it all.”

As you can see, his work in raku pottery is striking and mystifying, worthy of the national recognition and multiple awards he has received over the last twenty-five years.

If you go to his website, www.donnibert.com you will be amazed at the beauty he creates from clay, copper and an ancient process of reoxidation that produces incredibly vibrant colors.

If your children want to create, provide paper and crayons, paints, watercolors, and of course, modeling clay.  Some may want to play an instrument, others want to construct their own.  They may be interested in designing clothes or houses. Let them make their sketches, and listen as they explain their ideas. If they like to write stories, give them journals (or the word processor) to make their own books.

Suggestions:

• Allow your children the freedom to explore their own creativity.
• Accept what they produce without criticism or judgment.
• Provide opportunities for them to visit art museums.
• Guide them to the library section that houses books of their interest.
• Don’t overwhelm them with expensive art supplies, start out simply.
• Let them have fun, without your high expectations or interference.