June 16, 2005
Classes Let Children Eat Their Own Creations

Rhonda James knew she had to make a change when her toddler gagged on Play Doh. At 18 months, Jonathan put everything in his mouth, and art time often turned into snack time.

Determined to instill a love of art in her son, James sought out classes. When she couldn't find anything suitable, she started researching alternative ways of creating at-home art classes. She learned about edible art, which uses edible paint and food instead of traditional art materials, and introduced it to her son and local play groups.

The reaction was so strong that James, who has a master's degree in international marketing from the University of Dallas, decided to make a career of it. That was in late 2001. A mother's desire to find healthy art materials for her toddler son has grown into a business and a series of workshops through the University of Texas at Arlington.

Rhonda James also hosts edible art birthday parties and other events through her company, The Children's Art Café, a set of art workshops for toddlers and preschoolers. James has hosted and currently runs a series of workshops through the University of Texas at Arlington's Continuing Education Office.

Carmen Martinez, coordinator of professional and enrichment programs for continuing education at UT-Arlington, said she was struck by the fact that James' workshops cater to very young children. She still has memories of her child eating art assignments and understands why parents appreciate the class. "Like the title, kids like to make a mess and to get to eat what they make," Martinez said. "That seems to attract the parents."

James has even created Ka-doodle paint. The edible paint is gelatin-based, comes in four flavors -- each a different color -- and is available through her Web site and used during her workshops.

"I don't encourage the kids to eat the paint," James said. "But it doesn't taste bad, and it washes out pretty well."

Adam Mahmoud, a 17-month-old student of James', took a break from Tuesday's splatter-paint class to eat some mint-flavored green paint. His grandfather, Bob Van Siclen said that Adam's "appetite for paint" may mean art time could become a permanent hobby. "We hope this creates an interest not only in interacting with other children but also in art," Van Siclen said.

James said that even if each child doesn't end up an artist, she hopes each gains a new appreciation for art. "Unfortunately, a lot of the school systems have cut out art programs," James said. "Art is important and little kids are like sponges so the sooner you introduce them to something like this, the better."

Jessica Ramirez Star-Telegram Staff Writer ARLINGTON