Growing up with art
Written by: Alexandra Uzcátegui
As parents, one of the best gifts we can give our children is the opportunity to experience and interact with art. Not only does it foster creativity and self-expression, but it also helps develop cognitive and social skills. During my childhood, I was always very exposed to art, my family is very creative and I remember as a child going to my aunt's house who is an artist and she would let us into her studio to experiment with paints, clays and different materials, these first experiences with textures and color was what opened my mind to a world where my imagination had no limits. As CEO of Sweet Space, I understand the importance of educating us in the universe of creativity and we have created an amazing learning experience for children.
Sweet Space is a museum located in Madrid, Spain, that offers a unique twist on the traditional art museum experience. The space is filled with colorful and imaginative installations inspired by space and sweets. The stage begins with the exhibition called ¨Entre Palmeras¨ that aims to create a timeless and special scenario that will take them to that sweet dream universe where everything is possible, where the sky is purple and the palm trees are sweet, these trunks hold clouds of sugar and marshmallows that give the best candy in the galaxy. We encourage children to interact with the art and even taste some of the candy.
Sweet Space is actually an experience that engages all the senses and encourages creativity and curiosity. Our ¨Astro Galaxy¨ is designed to be a completely immersive place, where the inspiration is the galaxy and where you feel the calm of outer space. It plays with a candy-themed universe and uses lights to draw you into its work. On the other hand, ¨Rocket Dream¨ seeks to open your imagination and move you to a universe of moon rocks, where everything you can dream is possible.
But the benefits of Sweet Space go beyond providing a fun and unique museum experience. Art in general has been shown to have numerous benefits for children. It helps develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills, fosters communication and collaboration, and encourages emotional intelligence and empathy. Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada's exhibition similarly focuses on a sky of different layers that can be slid together to build your ideal sky. Her inspiration for Sweet Space has been one of the recurring icons in her life, which have been clouds.
According to Michigan State University Extension, exposure to art at an early age can also help develop fine motor, cognitive development and critical thinking skills by creating a mental plan or picture of what they intend to create and following through on their plan. It can also boost their self-esteem and confidence as they learn to express themselves through their own creative works.
That's why places like Sweet Space are so important, because they offer a fun and engaging learning experience that encourages children to explore their creativity and engage with art in a unique way. At Sweet Space, we often receive visits from schools to provide sensory experiences and awaken the imagination of these children by immersing them in a world of senses, ranging from visual to gustatory and even olfactory.
As parents, it is our responsibility to provide our children with as many learning experiences as possible. Sweet Space and other similar institutions play an important role in ensuring that art is part of those experiences. We owe our children the tools and opportunities they need to grow and succeed, and art is one of the most powerful tools we can provide.