Arts and Crafts

The denotation of art is: (n) The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.  The denotation of craft is: (n) Skill in doing or making something, as in the arts. Or, to make by hand.  The denotation to these words are very similar and we often see them being used together, like arts&crafts. But, to me personally, they have a very different connotation.

When I think of the word art I think of paintings, drawings, and sculptures that you would see in a museum.  Now when I think of the word craft, I think of making something out of toothpicks or macaroni necklaces.  A craft is something you make with your hands, like physically put it together while art is something that you create from scratch.

Over the summer I worked at Live Oak Morning School with the two year old class, most every Monday I planned an art lesson.  This lesson would include drawing a picture of their family, coloring a page out of a coloring book, or painting a flower.  On Fridays I would plan for crafts, which would include making a macaroni necklace or a pipe cleaner caterpillar.  See, art is something you create while a craft is something you build while following instructions.