A creative spark is an intangible talent or method that allows an individual to create important and sometimes invisible value at any given point in time. The idea of the creative spark has enchanted human beings for thousands of years. The term is sometimes used in religion, to mark a person’s understanding of faith. It is also used to describe the birth of creativity in people.

In the Kabbalah, God tells the people of his new world that he has given each of them a “creative spark,” and those who do not light it or see it or use it will suffer his wrath and disapointment.

To me, the creative spark is the lodestone of creativity, the fire that burns inside the soul of every painter, writer, artist or creative. It is the beginning of creativity.

Sam Green, whose work is just below, is drawn to sculpture. “His work is impressive,” a sculptor wrote me when I sent her this photo. “He’s got the posture and balance of weight down.” Once again, Teacher Sue Silverstein has lit the creative spark.

Great teachers like Silverstein believe their mission is to light the creative spark in her students, and she has become something of a genius at it. Her radical and exciting new art program at Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady, New York is based on the premise that every student has a creative spark inside of them, and it is her mission and work to light it.

I don’t know of any other quite like it. Real artists come to life right before our eyes, free to use and grow and celebrate their creativity.

This is done at Bishoop Gibbons with the help of good people all over the country. They send her all kinds of used and discarded objects and  she transforms into art by giving the students choice and  the materials they need an encouraging them.

Since the young artists choose their own work,they become stronger and more confident and more skilled. The creative spark is lit. They tell me all the time they never imagined they could make the art they are making.

“We are committed to making beautiful works of art,” Sue Silverstein wrote last week, “from things others are “ready to repurpose. With donations of fabrics, found metals, jewelry, yarns, pinecones, feathers, patterns, broken pottery, canvas, papers, and so much more…these young artists have created some extraordinary works of art.”

This, she reminds us, would not be possible without the donations of so many good people. Thank you.

You can send used and discarded and unwanted items to Sue Silverstein, Bishop Gibbons High School, 2600 Albany Street, Schenectady, New York, 12304.

Kareem, 11th grade.

Folasade, 12th grade

Jaza, 12th grade

You can send used and discarded and unwanted items to Sue Silverstein, Bishop Gibbons High School, 2600 Albany Street, Schenectady, New York, 12304.

She will make good use of them.