“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
— Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973)
July 30 – September 17, 2011
The Young Masters Initiative, sponsored by the Saatchi Gallery in London, is a charitable programme designed to build self-confidence, self-esteem and self-mastery by empowering young people to trust their unique creativity and inspiration as they learn the life skills necessary to improve the quality of their lives.
The programme launched August 2010. Twenty-one teens, 14 to 15 years of age, from ten different schools, discovered their unique talents and gifts as they created sculpture, studied the masters, interacted and supported each other and achieved an important personal life goal. Each student had a personal mentor coach to assist them in achieving their personal goal, which is an essential aspect of the programme. The YMI is fully committed to teaching life skills while supporting creative development and self-esteem.
The programme was designed and is facilitated by Sam Wigan, a well respected sculptor in the UK, and Mary Ann Somerville, an international educator and consultant in experiential learning and heart centered education. This year, the programme will be facilitated by Sam, Mary Ann and our new facilitator and mentor/coach, Estela Von Wedel.
Young Masters Initiative Core Values
Respect, Creativity, Honesty, Trust, Empathy, Joy
Group A Mural
Group B Mural
“Today, the defining skills of the previous era- the
‘left brain’ capabilities that powered the Information Age- are necessary
but no longer sufficient. The capabilities we once disdained or
thought frivolous-the the ‘right brain’ qualities of inventiveness, empathy,
joyfulness and meaning-increasingly will determine who flourishes and who
flounders.”
— Daniel Pink, A Whole New Mind
“When Alexander the Great visited Diogenes and asked whether he could do
anything for the famed teacher, Diogenes replied: ‘Only stand out of my
light.’ Perhaps someday we shall know how to heighten creativity. Until
then, one of the best things we can do for creative men and women is to
stand out of their light.” — John W. Gardner (1912 – 2002)
