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I sat down with Ryan, who is a lifelong artist, educator, and founder of faith-based art initiatives, including Shako Art Space, the Maker Institute of Studio Art and Theology, and Made Makers—a K-12 online art curriculum rooted in theology.

Ryan shares his inspiring journey from a childhood shaped by art as a means of self-expression and healing, to leading art education at the country's top public art school, and ultimately, designing resources to empower homeschoolers and families everywhere. We explore the profound ways that art influences our brains, builds executive functioning skills like persistence and flexibility, and helps us make meaning from the world around us.

We'll dig into why creativity is inherent in all of us, how to nurture it in children (and ourselves!), and embracing the process over perfection—whether your child is pointing to someone else as "the artist" in the room or discovering their own unique spark through baking, building, or problem-solving. Plus, Ryan offers practical advice and fresh perspectives for parents wanting to cultivate expressive, curious, and resilient learners at home. Get ready to rethink what art means—beyond the paintbrush, beyond the outcome, and into the heart of how we learn, grow, and flourish.

In this episode you'll hear about:

Brief account of Ryan's personal and professional background in art
Childhood interest and affirmation in art
Art as a coping mechanism in a difficult family environment
Education (BA, MA, MFA); 17 years teaching at VCU
Founding of Shako Art Space, Maker Institute, and Made Makers (Christian art curriculum)
Ryan's Perspective on What Art Is
Challenging the narrow definition of art as just expression or creativity
Importance of combining art, design, and craft as interconnected
Art, design, and craft as pervasive in everyday life
Examples: design of household objects, typography, music, architecture
Imagination, Creativity, and the Making Process
Debunking the myth that only some people are creative
Imagination as synthesizing what you know with new possibilities
Creativity as rooted in prior knowledge and context
Everyday examples of imagination in problem-solving (e.g., pouring coffee, driving)
Value of play, risk-taking, and freedom from perfectionism in creative processes
Supporting Children's Creativity and Executive Functioning
Addressing perfectionism and its root in self-protection rather than the process
The importance of process over product in creative education
Executive functioning skills in art: Flexibility, time management, task initiation, emotional regulation, prior knowledge, impulse control, self-monitoring
Typical reinforcement of perfectionism in schools (praising realism, narrow definitions of creativity)
Broader vision for making and creative knowledge in children
Value of imparting knowledge as a means of growth and blessing for others
Balancing Structure and Flow in Learning
Setting big-picture goals for children's growth each year
Using larger family and life purposes as reference points to manage structure versus creative flow
Practical Tips for Encouraging Creativity at Home
Broadening the definition of art to uncover creativity in various domains Looking for and naming creative behavior in non-traditional areas (baking, engineering, sports, fashion)
The Value of Creativity for Today's Children Real-life story: an "at-risk" student flourishes academically through art
Art as a serious, knowable subject—not just a freeform activity
The arts as an entry point to learning and self-understanding
Art fostering optimism, encouragement, and persistence
Building intrinsic knowledge, perseverance, and curiosity for lifelong growth

Links and Resources From Today's Show

Connect With Our Guest, Ryan Lauterio

Ryan is a Christian conservative, multi-award-winning studio artist and educator whose work has been recognized with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his induction into the Palmdale High School Hall of Fame. Ryan's professional journey weaves through the dynamic realms of painting, drawing, studio methods, curating, and deeply exploring the intersection of art and theology with over 30 years of experience.

Ryan boasts a substantial academic foundation, earning both a B.A. and an M.A. in Studio Art from CSU Sacramento, followed by an MFA in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Complementing his extensive art education, Ryan's theological understanding has been profoundly shaped by three years of rigorous in-house pastoral training at Remnant Church. He served as the Pastor for Art and Culture there from 2014 to 2020, a role that significantly enhanced his ability to weave his faith seamlessly into his artistic pursuits. Ryan is an Associate for Christian Art and Aesthetics at the Cantaro Institute in Niagara Canada.

Ryan has 30 years dedicated to teaching, enriching the lives of his students, and fostering a dynamic learning environment. His comprehensive background and dedication to art education make him a pivotal figure in academic and artistic communities.

Ryan is the founder and Director of Shockoe Artspace in Richmond, VA, an art gallery that has become a hub for local and nationally recognized artists since its inception. Ryan has exhibited his work widely, including the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and the Taubman Museum of Art. His artworks, celebrated for their depth and complexity, have been featured in prestigious publications like New American Paintings and Image Journal. They are cherished parts of private and public collections, such as that of Capital One. His written and visual work and insights were recently highlighted in "A Prophet in the Darkness: Exploring Theology in the Art of Georges Rouault," published as part of IVP's Studies in Theology and the Arts series.