Ade Mardiyati | February 16, 2012

Liesna Shaw, a 39-year-old mother of four, is the founder of Marvelous Little Maestro, a program in Kemang that encourages children to get creative with coloring, painting, shaping and designing patterns using acrylic paints, pencils, crayons, watercolors and paper. (JG Photos)

With children continually bombarded with digital gadgets, video games and TV shows, traditional hands-on crafts are gradually being replaced by the latest in computer graphics and iThemed activities. While kids might be able to beat the 37th level of the new fantasy quest, they may be at a loss when wielding paint, scissors and glue.

In response to the deluge of technology, graphic designer and fashion stylist Liesna Shaw founded an arts and crafts program in 2009 specially designed to nurture children’s artistic flair, and unlock their inner maestro.

The 39-year-old mother of four believes that artistic and creative skills can and should be shaped and sharpened during a child’s golden age, when they are in kindergarten or primary school.

“We are helping the children discover their passions in the arts,” said Liesna, who pursued her master’s degree in design at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, Western Australia.

At Marvelous Little Maestro (previously named GaleriLiesna’s Arts and Crafts for Children), students are trained to explore their creativity through coloring, painting, shaping and designing patterns using acrylic paints, pencils, crayons, watercolors and paper.

“We teach them how to create 2D and 3D artwork, and make fun objects using materials they see every day around them,” she said.

The students’ completed works are displayed on the school’s walls, boosting their confidence, Liesna said. “The students are always very excited and proud when they see their art pieces displayed in our school,” she said.

Read more » Jakarta Program Taps Into Kid’s Creative Side

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