Savannah, GA, Sept. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Savannah Museum of African Art announces the launch of “And the Children Speak,” a virtual art exhibit that invites children to use their creativity to express their feelings about current events. Initially launched as a pilot program in 2020 at the beginning of the Covid pandemic and amidst social unrest related to current events, the museum now invites children from around the world ages 18 and under to let their creativity flow and participate in this unique exhibit.

The 2020 exhibition is inspired by the traditional greeting of the Maasai people of Africa, “Kasserian Ingera,” which means “how are the children” instead of “hello” or “how are you?” The usual response is “Sepati Ingera,” which means “the children are well.” This exchange is intended to convey that the well-being of the coming generation is a good measure of the well-being of the community. Life is good, and the priorities for protecting the young are in place.”

“We at the Savannah African Art Museum thought that given today’s local and international events, we would go back and ask, ‘How are the children?’ and let our children tell us through their art. We believe that art is a voice, a record of history, and a telling of a story or experience. It’s a cry, it’s a whisper—both have a right to be heard. It’s an invitation to conversation. The Savannah African Art Museum is interested in giving children a platform to speak through their art. Art can be a drawing, a painting, a collage, a quilt, a sculpture, a performance (e.g., dance, song, spoken word), the written word (e.g., poem, story), and more,” said Lisa Jackson, Education and Community Liaison at the museum.

The museum values ​​the transformative power of art and the impact it can have on children’s lives. Any form of art can be a creative outlet that helps children communicate their inner world. Such a project can build positive mental images, cultivate feelings of calm and relaxation, and fully engage restless young minds in the creative process.

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 in 5 young people will experience a mental, emotional, behavioral, or developmental disorder, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says only 20% of these children will receive appropriate treatment. By participating in the arts, children can create pathways to healing and growth.

All submissions should be sent to [email protected] with the subject “And the Children Speak 2024 Submission” no later than 31 December, according to the guidelines below.

• All entries must include the title of the artwork (if named), artist name, age, and city/state/country; and the name of the group, school, club, or organization that collaborated on the entry (if applicable). Entries must adhere to the following formats or they will not be considered; as will entries containing profanity or insults.
  • Images must be submitted in digital format, as high resolution jpeg, png or pdf
  • Works submitted in written form must be photographed and then transcribed into digital format (jpeg, png or pdf) before submission.
  • Videos must be submitted in MP4 format and be no longer than 2 minutes.

The Savannah African Art Museum is a nonprofit institution dedicated to raising awareness and appreciating African culture. They have a vast collection of objects from West and Central Africa. The museum’s collection spans many countries and cultures. For more information about the museum, access to virtual tours, workshops, and initiatives, visit www.savannahafricanartmuseum.org or follow them on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest using the username @SavannahAfricanArtMuseum.

• “And the kids say 2024”