Entering the exhibit, we began the Van Gogh Experience with a colorful room of timelines, artwork, and 3D statues of Vincent Van Gogh. We learned of the important dates and people in his life. He was born on March 30, 1853, in the Netherlands. He had one beloved brother, Théo Van Gogh, and his three sisters, all significant to retainingVan Gogh’s works. Others significant in Van Gogh’s life include his friend and fellow painter Paul Gaugin, who was involved in Van Gogh’s widely known tragic incident of injuring his own ear.

I am part of Ballet Folklorico Tapatio, a Mexican dance group that is celebrating 25 years of dance. I started dancing when I was 7 years in 2020, and I still dance today. My mom got me into dancing. I wanted to quit right away because I thought I wouldn’t have any fun, but my mom kept me going. I eventually became better and I was finally confident in myself. I told myselfthat I was good enough!

During our November Bear Essential Young Reporter meeting with Linda Solomon, I learned that there is more to taking a photo than just pointing a camera and snapping the picture. Solomon is a photojournalist in Detroit and she specializes in photos of people. She has taken pictures of Beyoncé, Halle Berry, Jennifer Hudson, and Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. Her photos have neutral backgrounds, natural lighting, and have the person as the subject.

 Recently I went to the Tucson Museum of Art (TMA) with a friend. Going to TMA was fun and they had lots of interesting pieces. One of my favorites was a piece called “Interstellar.” It is a cool, mind illusion painting of a person in a poncho. It has a rainbow color pallet and lots of curved lines that makes it look almost like it’s moving. “Interstellar” is only one interesting piece among other cool and colorful pieces in the TMA exhibits. It was created by Alia Ali. Ali is a multi-media artist who has been to 67 countries! “Interstellar” has been on display since October 2021.

 Recently I went to the Tucson Museum of Art (TMA) with a friend. Going to TMA was fun and they had lots of interesting pieces. One of my favorites was a piece called “Interstellar.” It is a cool, mind illusion painting of a person in a poncho. It has a rainbow color pallet and lots of curved lines that makes it look almost like it’s moving. “Interstellar” is only one interesting piece among other cool and colorful pieces in the TMA exhibits. It was created by Alia Ali. Ali is a multi-media artist who has been to 67 countries! “Interstellar” has been on display since October 2021.

 Have you ever wanted to do crafts? If so, what would you make or what would you like to do?

Joni Hopp makes many art and crafts. “I’ve always been crafty,” explains Hopp. One of the favorite things Hopp has done is working in a dental office. “You never know where life is going to lead you,” she says.

Hopp began her crafty adventure by making dolls for her kids, similar to Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. She made the dolls realistic, even with a belly button.

Have fun this summer with Michaels Kids Club, Camp Creatology! These free classes are filled with fun for mini makers full of creativity. They have a wide selection of classes that you can sign up for, all via Zoom. From painting to using beads, you’re sure to find the activity that’s right for you. Camp Creatology will have classes from July 12 to Aug. 6. Classes are each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

 Experience the original art of Vincent Van Gogh at the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibition opening next month in Scottsdale at Lighthouse Artspace, 4301 N. Scottsdale Road.

The exhibit opens August 26 and runs until November 28. The exhibit features massive moving projections of Van Gogh’s famous paintings, including Starry Night, The Potato Eaters and Sunflowers.

Safety measures will be in place to keep all visitors and staff safe at the walkin exhibit. Visitors are asked to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing rules.

 The Paint by Pom Pom craft is so much fun. Maybe you know about paint by number, and this is like that, only there’s no paint, there’s only little soft pom poms.

Actually, there are 800 soft pom poms made out of felt. They all are like stickers and have something sticky on the back that holds the pom poms on the board—you don’t need any glue!

 What inspires your heart with art? Modern archeologists say that long ago people were painting in caves to communicate to others. The paintings are more than 30,000 years old.

Inspire Your Heart with Art Day is an annual celebration observed on Jan. 31.