As even a casual reader of this magazine knows, FAMILYFUN does not normally cover the latest trends in contemporary art. Our tastes tend toward works that have stood the test of time--crayon self-portraits, pipe cleaner sculpture, that sort of thing. Recently, though, we happened upon an artistic movement that we simply could not ignore, a group of artisans we've dubbed the Kitchen Table School. These visionaries seek nothing less than to erase the distinction between what we call food and what we call crafts materials.

To the Kitchen Table School, every fruit, vegetable and dairy product is a potential medium for artistic expression, a gift for both the palate and the palette. Thus, to the Kitchen Table architect, a pretzel stick is a munchie as well as a surprisingly durable siding material. To the Kitchen Table puppeteer, a carrot is good for your health--and for making a puppet's head. Indeed, once you let your artistic eyes grow bigger than your stomach, food's creative virtues become obvious: It's inexpensive, colorful, washable and deliciously nontoxic.

Above all, it's available. Right now in your kitchen you've probably got the makings of a masterpiece, which presents a conundrum for members of the Kitchen Table School. When does a work of art become too good to eat? That's a question best left to the starving artist. But whether it's proudly displayed or quickly wolfed, Kitchen Table art has a message that's hard to miss: Families of the world, open your fridges. You have nothing to lose but your leftovers.



Tobye J. Cook is an artist and pastry chef living in Arcata, California. Jonathan Adolph is features editor of FAMILYFUN.