What's On Your Sash?

I recently had the honor of teaching a local Girl Scout troop some drawing basics and techniques. By attending and participating in my workshop, these girls earned their Art patch.

Girl Scout patches go on a sash or vest and represent fun events or things they have done along with their troop. Patches are a great way for a Girl Scout to remember every adventure and show the world what she's accomplished. And earning a range of different badges and patches signifies a well-rounded, well-grounded Girl Scout.

In an age where children are introduced early on and educated throughout their formative years to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), somehow, Arts is continually falling from educational priority, even though practicing Art can stimulate the brain in areas of problem solving, collaborating, and generating ideas. Think Michelangelo.

Being grounded in the practicing Arts is a visual patch to proudly show off. After all, intelligence is demonstrated not only through solving the world’s scientific and technological challenges but also by first having the creativity and innovative thinking to imagine what problems can be solved.

What does your sash — real or imagined — tell us about you?