See More Children's Museum of the Arts 11/30/23 Kids Art 13 Winter Scenes from CMA's Collection of Children's Art NEXT IN

See More Children's Museum of the Arts 8/4/23 Reflections Ordinary Objects in Unusual Places NEXT IN

See More Children's Museum of the Arts 11/28/23 Interviews "I am always trying to access my inner child when I create simply for the freedom and non-judgmental energy of a child." Artist David Bender on drawing an ocean liner as a child and attending the 1970s Aspen Design conference. NEXT IN

10/5/23 Interviews "It's worthwhile to persist through things that push the boundaries of your artistic capabilities, even when it's uncomfortable." Artist Nicki Cherry on pivoting from physics to artmaking. Click to expand media gallery. Great artists make artists. And to prove that point, over 70 of today's greatest have contributed their work in support of Children's Museum of the Arts' Emergency Arts Education Fund , establishing utterly ambitious art programs in New York City schools that need them most. Bidding for the online auction concludes Thursday, October 19 at 12 PM EDT . Bid now. Bid often. Bid here. Below, meet auction artist Nicki Cherry . Nicki as a young artist Nicki's childhood artwork entitled "Toad Graveyard" Do you have a favorite memory of making art as a child? When I was little, I used to beg my mum to drive me to the Indianapolis Children's Museum every weekend. My favorite section was one where you could build tin foil and popsicle stick boats to float down an artificial river with waterfalls. Building and testing my boats has a lot of parallels to my art practice today — both involve making something over and over again, experimenting with different materials and forms, and ultimately releasing my creations into the world. What advice would you give to young artists who wish to pursue an art practice? When you're struggling with a task, learn to tell if it's because you dislike doing it or because it's challenging you. It's worthwhile to persist through things that push the boundaries of your artistic capabilities, even when it's uncomfortable. How does working with children inspire you? I'm inspired by how children approach art with so little ego and preconceptions. One of the challenges I face as an artist is shooting down my ideas before I even start — dismissing things because they seem too weird, too dumb, or too derivative. Seeing children make whatever they want to see in the world is how I think we should all approach artmaking. When did you first know you were going to be an artist? I started my undergrad studying to become a physicist. By my third year I realized that even though I still loved the big romantic ideas of particle physics, the nitty-gritty of being a scientist wasn't for me. I accidentally enrolled in a sculpture class that fall. Although I found the boundless material and form possibilities of sculpture to be incredibly challenging, I felt motivated to figure out what making sculpture looked like for me. At the end of the class I decided to try being an artist and fully dove in. Can you describe a formative experience visiting a museum or gallery? In the same sculpture class, our professor brought us to meet with Theaster Gates at his Dorchester Projects. At the end of the visit, Theaster took us to see the Stony Island Arts Bank. It was remarkable to hear him talk about how he was going to transform this crumbling building into a space for archives, art, and community. That was my first exposure to seeing how expansive a contemporary art practice can be. Nicki Cherry Standing Vessel ceramic Bid Now NEXT Emergency Exhibition: New Training for Future Artists and Art Lovers Take a Virtual Tour on Bloomberg Connects Donate Now

See More Children's Museum of the Arts 5/9/24 Artists in Schools Clay Magnets Part II: Sculptors & Painters Dispatches from CMA Resident Artist Noormah Jamal's fifth grade class at Children's Workshop School. NEXT IN

See More Children's Museum of the Arts 8/18/23 6 Abstract Paintings From CMA's Collection of Children's Art NEXT IN

10/11/23 Interviews "Children’s curiosity is something we can never get back as adults." Artist Linda Lopez on learning to draw from watching PBS and how viewing her college professor's artwork in an exhibition led to her becoming an artist. Click to expand media gallery. Great artists make artists. And to prove that point, over 70 of today's greatest have contributed their work in support of Children's Museum of the Arts' Emergency Arts Education Fund , establishing utterly ambitious art programs in New York City schools that need them most. Bidding for the online auction concludes Thursday, October 19 at 12 PM EDT . Bid now. Bid often. Bid here. Below, meet auction artist Linda Lopez. Linda’s daughter Oona laying out all of her artwork from the past year Do you have a favorite memory of making art as a child? My favorite memory of making art as a child was watching The Secret City on PBS and learning to draw with Commander Mark. After each lesson, I would ask my mom to mail my drawing to the TV show for a chance to be featured. Now that I am thinking about it, I am not sure my mom ever mailed off my drawings, because there were so many! Oona taking throwing lessons with her father, Mathew McConnell, in the studio What advice would you give to young artists who wish to pursue an art practice? Persistence, play, and practice! How does working with children inspire you? Children’s curiosity is something we can never get back as adults. Their pure unfiltered thoughts and connections are magical. When did you first know you were going to be an artist? I didn’t realize I would or could be an artist until I was in my early twenties when I took a couple studio art courses as a junior in college. My sculpture professor took us on a gallery and museum field trip to San Francisco. This was my first experience in these spaces and seeing my professor's artwork in an exhibition was transformational. That moment made things so real and inspirational. Linda Lopez Jade Ombre Dust Furry with Lint porcelain Bid Now NEXT Emergency Exhibition: New Training for Future Artists and Art Lovers Take a Virtual Tour on Bloomberg Connects Donate Now

See More Children's Museum of the Arts 10/13/23 Interviews "Being an artist really allows for a meaningful life." Artist Emily Kiacz on children's artwork and viewing a Georgia O'Keefe's painting as child. NEXT IN

See More Children's Museum of the Arts 6/26/24 Artists in Schools Emergency Art Kits! NEXT IN

See More Children's Museum of the Arts 6/7/24 Artists in Schools Artists Prompts by Noormah Jamal Created in collaboration with fifth graders at Children's Workshop School, NYC NEXT IN