Art lines the walls at the Old Dome Meeting Hall, proving that art isn’t about perfection but creativity, imagination and the courage to put something new into the world. 

Arya Singh (11) stands by her drawing “Trying is Better Than Giving Up” during an open house at Old Dome Meeting Hall. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)

Riverton’s “Not Your Parent’s Art Show” features nearly 150 pieces created by artists from seven months to 18 years old. It includes paintings, sculpture, photography and drawings that showcase the way children see the world. 

“Pablo Picasso said, ‘Every child is an artist,’ and I think that’s true,” said Riverton Arts Administrator Vicki Wartman. “I believe the end of that quote is, ‘The problem is trying to remain the child artist.’ I want kids to color outside the lines, I want them to be creative and not worry about what they’re doing, and I want every kid to be represented without being in a jury of selected, certain pieces. We accept art from every single child.”

One wall of the exhibit features paintings done by children at the Riverton Preschool Academy. Another display hosts dozens of photographs taken by junior high and high school students. 

An open house was held in February where kids could bring their families to see their artwork and talk with other young artists.

A young boy views “We the People,” a pencil/charcoal drawing created by 16-year-old Mia Meza. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)

Rose Creek Elementary student Arya Singh created the drawing “Trying is Better Than Giving Up” to demonstrate the feeling of working toward a goal, even when it’s hard.

“I like drawing beautiful things,” Arya said. “It shows that you should never give up, and you should always reach for whatever you want to reach for without giving up.”

Madison Lundquist is a 16-year-old homeschooled student from South Jordan who created a clay sculpture of Jesus Christ called “The Freedom of Religion.” She’s been sculpting for several years and likes learning new skills that help her create her best pieces.

She had entered “The Freedom of Religion” sculpture into the Springville Art Museum religious competition, but it wasn’t selected. Despite her disappointment, Madison said these experiences are opportunities for discovery.

“I found this to be one of my best pieces, but to see that it didn’t get in, and to see things that I personally feel don’t meet up to my own standards get in, it hurts my ego,” Madison said. “But I know that I need to learn from these experiences so I can grow and get better each time.”

The exhibition will be on display at Old Dome Meeting Hall (1452 W. 12600 South) through March 18. It can be viewed Monday through Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m., or by appointment.

“You should come see it because just look at all the diverse art that we have here and all of the different representations,” Wartman said. “My favorite part is reading the tags and learning what the artist meant, because it makes you think a little bit deeper. Especially with the photography. That’s what was in the artist’s mind. Some of these pieces are very deep and very thought-out about why they took the photo. But all the art pieces have that. The art and the artist’s statements are very interesting to look at.”