Sense of Wonder Creations is a non-profit organization that was started in the summer of 1991 with a heartfelt desire to become a loving place for young people to improve their creative talents and have fun, while at the same time learning how to share their experiences with their peers, people in developing countries and the environment. It is an organization with a dedicated curriculum that recognizes the inherent talent, beauty, inspiration and value of young people and wants to encourage them to express it in his/her own way. We do this by bringing together different elements in a year round program: the creative arts (visual and performing); drawing, painting, clay, sculpture, theater, puppetry, music, creative writing and film blended with social, environmental, community and cultural awareness.

Sense of Wonder Creations is an organization that consists of a summer program for young people 7-12, art classes during the winter/spring sessions for young people 6 to 18 and programs with the local public schools, community and global organizations. SOWC blends a creative arts education and expression with the appreciation of ethnic diversity, caring for the environment, enlarging the understanding of peace and justice, doing local and global community service projects, and learning how one person can make a difference.

Sense of Wonder Creations works annually in developing countries facilitating creative arts workshops. We hope to be able to expand this part of the program in the future.

CREATIVE EXPRESSION

Everyone has creative talent. Each person is a unique, original individual and has inherent potential and ability. In an atmosphere of love and vast amounts of encouragement they feel free to explore, discover and put their ideas into form without comparison or negative critique. This opens the door to uninhibited creativity and new ways of seeing.

Creativity: At the National Conference of Creativity at the University of Michigan, educators agreed that "all children are creative, but it lessens markedly as adulthood approaches." This discouraging trend can be avoided. We try to show our students how to recognize any belief or mental block that would hinder their inspiration and creative imagination. Lack of freedom, intimidation, peer pressure, or feelings of inadequacy can be challenged and overcome. Children and adults can learn to reject anything that would obstruct the natural flow of abundant ideas.

Ways of Seeing: When drawing, painting, or sculpting from life, we show students how to study an object or scene and observe it carefully. Looking at something for a long time one can always find something new, but looking isn’t really "seeing." Really seeing something with your heart and soul brings your artist's lens into the focus of resolution and discernment.

The Process: In a society bombarded with games and entertainment producing instant gratification, accomplishing a simple task is often lost to impatience and frustration. Capturing interest and cultivating new "ways of seeing" brings patience, peace and joy to the creative journey. Cherishing the process leads to greater mastery of skill and this proficiency is fulfilled with an original idea being brought to fruition.

• love and encouragement
• safe, comfortable atmosphere
• exploration and discovery
• non-competitive
• creativity
• ways of seeing
• enjoying the process