ART TAKES MANY FORMS

You don't have to know much about the arts to appreciate them — or help your family appreciate them. You can speak of why a picture appeals to you and talk about how the colors are used, their density or lightness, the grain of brush strokes, exaggerated features, etc. You can describe whether it makes you laugh, smile, frown or causes no feelings.

We don't feel the same things the artist does when we see a work of art; our own experiences create different images and feelings within us. The public library has lots of books that show different kinds and types of art. What types of things interest the individuals in your family? Art takes many forms — designing and making furniture, arranging photos in an album or family history book, making signs, whittling, sculpting clay figures, writing poetry or making fancy borders on a flier or sheet of note paper. One creation is not necessarily better than another; it's just different. — Keith Smith, Torrance, Calif.

PERFORMS AS FAMILY

My husband and I began teaching our daughters our rich Hawaiian culture through singing, dancing and playing different musical instruments when they were as young as 3 years old. Since then, we have had numerous choice opportunities to share our knowledge by performing. We have been able to develop in many areas. Our daughters are now teenagers and are still eager to learn and entertain as a family.

This experience gives us treasured family memories. At the end of each performance, we express our gratitude to each other and thank our Heavenly Father for our gifts and blessings and remember that though we all come from different cultures, we all belong to one heavenly family. — Fannie C. Narte, Allen, Texas

COMMUNITY THEATER

My wife and I have encouraged our three daughters in the arts by supporting and participating in many Church and school productions. They eventually were able to participate in community theater as singers, dancers and actors.

I am certain because of early exposure to the arts, all three daughters and their children have participated in the Oakland Temple pageant during the past 20 years. Our youngest daughter was given the challenge and honor of being named director of the Oakland pageant in 1998.

As a retired educator, I am saddened to see the arts cut from our educational programs because of budgets. We appreciate so much the Church supporting all forms of the fine arts. It is a wonderful missionary tool with which to introduce our non-LDS friends to the Church. — Ray Enjaian, Concord, Calif.

STANDARD TO COMPARE

When my nieces and nephews were young, I decided that I wanted to give them experiences with good music, dance, drama, etc., so when they came across inferior music, dance, drama, etc., they would have a standard against which they could compare.

For example, our symphony offers a youth series. I took them to ballets of children's stories with which they were already acquainted. I bought season tickets to a children's theater and took them to professional theater as appropriate for them. For their introduction to opera, I took them to "Hansel and Gretel" and "Amahl and the Night Visitors."

We are fortunate to live near the Museum of Church History and Art, and I have had many lovely and spiritual experiences with my nieces and nephews there.

Not only have these experiences given my nieces and nephews a foundation for judgment of what is "virtuous, lovely and of good report," but they have brought us closer together. — Jo Ellen Ashworth, Salt Lake City, Utah

DEFINITE BOND

All nine of our children have learned or are learning to play the piano and have had flower beds. I would teach piano to my children until they reached an older age. At present, I'm teaching our last three girls, ages 7, 10 and 11 years old. There is a definite bond created from teaching them the piano notes and watching them play the piano.

The boys, ages 16 and 18 years old, get themselves up without being told and, even in sub-zero weather in Idaho, go off to their early-morning piano lessons before school.

Day after day, I look to see which of the teenagers is playing the piano. With six remaining children at home, the house is filled with music, including the flute, harmonica and violin.

In addition, having graduated as an artist from Ricks College and BYU, I've had the children draw and paint.

The bonds with the children, as well as the discipline, as a result of arts in the home can't be beat. — Mary Ann Fackrell, Ucon, Idaho