High school art

A stereotype that exists about today's teenagers is that they are lazy and spend all their time and energy connected to gadgets.

We've had several examples of teens shedding those stereotypes lately, including the 35th annual High School Art Exhibition, which opened Sunday in the Crisp Museum at the Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus.

The displays give us hope and encouragement that the next generation is engaging in creative thinking. Some of the pieces of art, showcased in "Exhibiting Excellence," are truly excellent. Every year, our students create some impressive pieces of art.

We're fortunate to have many schools in the area that emphasize creativity, including music, fine arts and drama.

A well-balanced mind goes well beyond formulas, dates in history and English. Those who can use their life experiences to express feelings and emotions are part of what makes our world go 'round. Perhaps more important, creative people are problem-solvers in the real world, the ones who come up with new solutions to old problems. Developing creativity is learning how to view the world in a different way.

We encourage you to stop by Crisp Museum in the coming days to see how our high school students are developing their creativity. The display will be open through March 10.