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Sue Warford, director of the University of Rhode Island Child Development Center, helps 3-year-old Ninah White sell preschool art at yesterday's art exchange in the Memorial Union.

URI Child Development Center hosts art exchange with youthful creations

By: Hillary Brady

Posted: 12/3/08

12/03/08 - Among the usual groups of University of Rhode Island students relaxing at the Memorial Union on Tuesday was a visiting class unlike any other on campus; a group of preschoolers manning a booth at the eighth annual Art Exchange.

URI's Child Development Center held the exchange, which featured a variety of projects designed by the students. The crafts were "open- ended art projects" that students turned into items for trade, said the Child Development Center Director Sue Warford.

The students participated in a variety of activities of their choice, from painting coffee filters, marbleizing paper and beading lanyards. The teachers at the center then helped turn these creative projects into everyday items to exchange with patrons.

For any amount of money, "even a penny," individuals could take home one of the children's creations, Warford said.

The items for exchange included journals, bookmarks, magnets, gift wrap, stationary, pencil holders, play dough, bracelets, keychains, magnets and decorated pencils.

"The children were very involved in the process," Sharon Greenwood, a teacher at the Child Development Center, said. "They independently offer[ed] their work" for exchange.

"We've talked about developing the art exchange as a 'thank you' for donations," Greenwood said.

The children considered their artwork an appreciation for any donation patrons were willing to provide.

The students, ranging from 3 years old to kindergarteners, worked the booth in shifts. After dutifully stacking their jackets on nearby chairs, the children worked in pairs standing behind the booth.

They placed donations in a colorfully decorated coffee cup, thank the customer and oftentimes offer suggestions on art projects to take home. On their off time, they enjoyed snacks, milled about with their teachers and chatted with potential customers.

The goal of the exchange was to "teach children their potential impact on the world" and help them develop empathy by introducing them to age appropriate community service, Warford said.

This year, the proceeds from the exchange are going to benefit the Animal Rescue League. The children discussed how the League needs food, medicine, blankets and toys for the animals, and that raising money will help meet the shelter's needs.

"Those are things young children understand," Warford said.

After the exchange, a volunteer from the Animal Rescue typically visits the Child Development Center, bringing along a rescued animal for the children to see, Warford said. The volunteer explains what the children's work is going toward, making the experience clearer and more hands-on.

So far, the Art Exchange has raised more than $500, though the project is not complete, Susan Keefe, a kindergarten teacher at the Center, said. The leftover crafts are still open for parents of the children, and "families continue to make donations," she said.

Much of the money the children raised yesterday was a result of the URI community. Faculty and staff on campus stopped by, as well as a "good percentage of students," whether or not they were affiliated with Center, Keefe said.

However, the main goal of the Art Exchange was never really about the money, Warford said.

"It's about teaching children they can have an impact," she said.