Visual Manna

YOUNG LIONS

One thing that is paramount in America today is the media’s power of speaking through visual images.  It is tried and very true that throughout our history, visual images have had a profound impact on American history.  From the time of our first flag of a rattlesnake which can be traced back to Benjamin Franklin, when in 1751, he made the first reference to the rattlesnake in his Pennsylvania Gazette.   Franklin suggested we send rattlesnakes to thank the British in the same way that they sent their prisoners here.  He made his own flag with the phrase “Join or Die” on it.  He used a visual image to really make an impact.

Christians in America usually do not spend money or time getting their children involved in the arts.  The perceived importance of the core subjects as the main focus, leave our young people sadly lacking in the areas of visual communication.  The secular media is well aware of the importance of this.  This is why “The Young Lions” have been created.  There are young people who have the God given gift of being a creative genius in the field of art and communication.  A very wise doctor once said that creativity when not used in a positive way can be used in a very negative way.  Sometimes these creative children do not seem very promising and many times they have parents who are not gifted in a similar manner and do not understand.
I love the quote by Buckminster Fuller, “There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.”
Jean Piaget says: “The principle goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done – men who are creative, inventive and discoverers” Art is a catalyst for engineering and other disciplines where leadership and original thinking is important.  Young people not only need the training in just the techniques of different media, but how to communicate ideas through their work and market it as well. The Young Lions art program has the goal of training young people to create brochures, logos, posters, t-shirts and other work to put in a portfolio to utilize in the professional world.  Their work can be used in churches, ministries and missions, not to mention all the Christian businesses who could use a price break when it comes to advertising.  Our goal is that these students will learn all the subtle ways to communicate positive ideas.

Considering just the topic of creation versus evolution, the point of view of the artist can have a profound effect on the way in which they illustrate a visual image.  The jaw of a cro-magnon man from the point of a creationist will produce a drawing of a creature that looks like Homo Sapiens,  but from the perspective of an evolutionist the same creature will look like an ape.  The magician is the artist who brings the jaw to life visually.  The artist on the left below leads you to believe that early man was not a monkey, the artist on the right visually convinces you that early man was an ape.  Art is a very powerful tool.  “Seeing is believing” is very true.

Rosie was a symbol of power to women.  Women had to join the war effort in World War II and this image was seen everywhere.

Today pictures are used to convey simple messages to people unable to speak or read English.  In a doctor’s office, you could see a picture of a person pointing to their throat in dismay.  Pictures of other physical symptoms are on a chart, and the patient simply points to the problem so the doctor is aware of what is wrong.  As an ESL teacher, I am quite aware of the importance of visual teaching.  Many of us are not aware that our children and even ourselves are being taught visually daily by a very subtle media.  They are lulling us into a tragic state of satisfaction.  They allow us to accept images that degrade and depress us.  Instead of focusing on positive life giving visual images for children, children who are raised on having a mother and father media parent, are not sensitive to such things as beauty, kindness, good manners, and what makes and has made  America great.  From bombarding children with violent images; to images of people behaving rudely to each other; to using profanity, television today runs the gamut of the negative.  Frank Lloyd Wright said “Television is chewing gum for the eyes.”  Chewing gum is not very nutritious.  There are thousands of children living on “chewing gum.”   The Young Lions (lions because they are bold with their vision) will counteract this alarming downward spiral of our civilization.
How can I be a part of this?
You can encourage a potential “young” lion to contact visualmanna@gmail.com or call at 1-573-453-6364 to get involved.  You can donate a scholarship for a potential “young” lion.  You can open your church/business to display their art work.
You can commission a piece of artwork from them.  Sharon Jeffus also offers these classes on the internet….go to visualmanna.com for more information.