If you drove Hwy. 60 in Lake Wales this summer, you saw it posted on the Lake Wales Arts Council marquis for weeks: Kids’ Creative Market. It was an event held in July that allowed local children the opportunity to showcase their own artwork to the public and market their items for sale at absolutely no cost.
From photography to baked goods, brightly painted canvases to terrariums, yarn, ornaments to handmade games, the products that they had worked so hard on making were set up on provided tables. The little artists themselves talked to countless attendees about their ideas and how they created their items. They went home at the end of the day with a little cash in their pockets from sales, and experience that can’t be bought anywhere.
Enter Brannan Lawson. She’s the arts teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School in Lake Wales. She’s an artist in her own right. And she’s the newly named winner of the 2024 Arts & Cultural Educator of the Year award by the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance.
The Polk Arts & Cultural Hall of Fame Gala was held on Oct. 29 and is hosted by the Polk County Arts & Cultural Alliance annually, led by a board of directors and Executive Director Daryl Ward, PhD. The six awards are given each year to individuals who have significantly contributed to the arts and cultural community in Polk County.
The Kids’ Creative Market was the result of a successful partnership between the Lake Wales Arts Council and Lawson. As an educator, she says she’s eager to share her knowledge, which she’s been curating for years as an artist herself.
“The Kids Creative Market was created due to my daughter; she loved making and creating and most art venues you have to pay for a booth or entry fee. Fees could be $100 or more. This event allows any child to sell items for no cost and all they have to do is sign up. We don’t require an application, a fee, a tent, not even a table. I wanted to make so easy for the child to participate.”
When her principal notified her about winning the award, Lawson was shocked.
“To have this recognition allows me to feel that all the time and effort that I put forth has been appreciated by our community,” says Lawson. “I love to share all the information and knowledge that I have acquired over the 15 years of teaching art at Hillcrest. I never want to hold on to any secret formula within my classroom or within my practice.
“I remember being a new art educator, new teacher and new artist and I loved soaking in all the knowledge that other teachers and artist would share. I was so thankful for those creators taking the time to document and share how they created, what they used to create and the actual creation of the product or piece.”
While many of us have taken an art class during our school years, and some beyond that, an overwhelming number of us do not take on the title of artist as a profession. However, Lawson believes that art is part of a range of larger life skills.
“Lives are impact through art by allowing us to see through different perspectives; to understand life isn’t always pretty and perfect, life can be messy, just like art. Getting our hands messy with any creative process helps us work through all of life’s good and bad. I try to encourage my students to know that art isn’t just paint, paper and pencils. Art is cooking and plating a meal, planting a garden, baking and decorating a cake, color coordinating and adding accessories to your outfit, or building with any type of materials.”
The Art Barn Studio is Lawson’s personal studio where she creates floral art and other custom pieces available for sale. Lawson also produces a YouTube channel, offering step-by-step art project instruction.
“I started The Art Barn Studio to be able to share art within anyone, anywhere, at any time. I know not every family can afford outside art lessons. I use my YouTube channel to give art teachers more information on how I run my art room. I share kids’ art lessons, providing teachers or home school families with a lesson plan, and links to all my videos and handouts. I create draw alongs and paint alongs using the most simple materials to allow families to join in on creating with whatever they have at home. My passion is sharing for free!”
The Kid’s Creative Market was created due to my daughter loved making and creating and most art venues you have to pay for a booth or entry fee. Which was usually more than 100 or more. This event allows any child to sell items for no cost and all they have to do is sign up. We don’t require an application, a fee, a tent, not even a table. I wanted to make so easy for the child to participate.”
Lawson says she is grateful to the many people who helped to facilitate her growth in the realm of art.
“Thank you to the late Connie Christoph who was the Hillcrest art teacher when I attended. She was my favorite teacher and really let me shine in my element. Thank you to the late Damien Moses for believing in me and allowing me to take Connie’s position. Thank you to Tommy Frank and Gigi Hernandez for always being ready to help host the Creative Kids Market each summer. The Lake Wales Arts Council for hosting the Creative Kids Market event. Thank you to my mom, Doris Gukich for being a crafty mother and taking the time for art lessons outside of school.”
