The After-School Art Club's Art Show Ten Days Ago

I had meant to blog about my students' art show earlier, but time got away. (Some weeks are just like that.)

First, I'd like to thank University Art Supplies Store for hosting the students' art reception on Saturday, March 12th to kick off the exhibit, which will be displayed in the window for the rest of March and all of April.

University Art is a marvelous art supplies store that provides several programs for young people, as well as classes for all ages. They are located at the corner of 26th Street and J Street. You can learn more about their products and programs HERE, (and please "like" them on Facebook HERE. )

Next, I'd like to thank the South Natomas Community Center for being so supportive of the after- school art club. They purchase materials for me and store them at the center. All I have to do is go in and teach, and students already love art before they ever come in. The center offers a variety of services and classes for the community. You can learn more about their programs HERE 

Now -- on with the Second Saturday art reception and exhibit. For those who don't live in Sacramento, "Second Saturday" each month is when  art lovers go from gallery to gallery, enjoying  receptions for new art exhibits. The receptions often feature wine and munchies, but our artists served punch and cookies. Below are the 17 pieces of art displayed, along with pictures of some of the students and their families. Enjoy.

A

            Students range in age from 6 to 14, although the class is mainly set up for 8-to-12-year-olds. But some are returning students and go farther with the lessons, and some have older siblings in class, which keeps the class from becoming geared to 1st or 2nd-graders: The younger ones simply keep up and constantly amaze me with their grasp of what are basically lessons for older kids. Below are pictures of some of the students who came to the reception (in shifts, between noon and 2:00 p.m.) and their proud families. It got pretty hectic at times, so I didn't get a chance to photograph everyone who came.

This artist is seven.

Her cousin, artist on the right, is nine.

The artist on the left just turned eight.
Hopefully her brother will join one day.

Another seven-year old artist.

This artist just turned seven.

The artist on left is ten. Shy sister on
right is too young for the class.
Her thirteen-year-old sister, a fine
  artist, was sick and couldn't attend.

Two artists, sisters; the one on left is
seven; the one on the right is eleven.

                 

I  didn't get a photo of these two artists
 before they left, so this is last year's
photo: The artist on the left is nine
this year; on the right, fourteen.

The artist, eleven and dedicated,
is almost hidden by her two
younger siblings in this picture.

Being involved with these students gives me a special boost each week. I always come home rejuvenated by their energy. We have two more classes this year, and then the art class is over until November. While I have other projects that need tending to, I'm going to miss them. 

How about you? Are you an art lover? Do you do any volunteer projects that give you special enjoyment?

The After School Art Club's Recent Art Show

I mentioned in a blog post last year that one day a week I teach an afterschool art "club" at the South Natomas Community Center.  It's a wonderful class.  The kids sign up specifically for art lessons and their parents are very supportive of the program.  Originally I planned the class for 8-o-12-year-olds, but this year a very talented 7-year-old joined the class, and he was an excellent student.  We started out small a couple of years ago, but word spread, and for the year that just ended, our enrollment was 22 students.  Luckily, I have four helping moms that come in and help with setting up, cleaning up, and passing out supplies.  They also circulate and guide the students in utilizing the skills they've been learning.  I would be lost without them

Each year, Sharon and Jim Tanovitz, owners of Art Ellis Supply (2508 J Street, Sacramento, CA), give the club an art show in their window gallery for a month.  It gives the students a place to highlight and exhibit their best work, and even to sell it.  It's great fun for them, for me, for the store, and for the community.  Jim and Sharon have offered my students this opportunity for years.  When I was teaching full time, I ran an after school art club at my school, and the Tanovitzes let them show their work each spring.  

What the classes cover: Students learn landscape, still life, portrait, figure drawing and painting.  (Clothed figures for this age group.)  They learn to use soft and oil pastels, acrylic paints, and watercolor paints, as well as charcoal and colored pencils.  We explore ethnic arts and artists for  El Dia de los Muertos, Cinco de Mayo, Black History Month (Harlem Renaissance), and Women's History Month, and we use bamboo brushes for special techniques during Tet or Asian New Year.  The students do a variety of styles from Impressionism to abstract, and they keep portfolios that they get to take home at the end of the year.

It's always exciting to see their growth by the end of the year when they select a piece of their art to exhibit.  This year was no exception.  Their work will be up for the rest of June.  Already 7 pieces have sold ($5.00), and Saturday we had a small "Second Saturday" reception from 10:00 a.m. to noon, passing out punch and cookies.   My four "super helper moms" are shown inthe first picture above.  A picture of two of the artists and their moms and Sharon at the reception are shown next.  And an overall shot of the 22 pieces of art in the show is shown to the right, followed by close ups of the works.

If you are in the area, stop buy, enjoy the art, and visit the store.  I buy most of my art supplies there, and they offer discounts for teachers and students.  If you are not in the area, support art somewhere, somehow.  It makes such a difference in young people's lives, and school art programs are being wiped out by budget cuts everywhere.

How about your area?  Does your school offer an art program?  Do you know of special art classes being offered?  If so, please include contacts in your comments, as there may be a parent near you reading it.  Thanks.