Welcome to the Art in
Action newsletter. Connect with current happenings at Art in Action,
museum shows, local events, and fun activities for kids. Art in Action
enriches children's lives through art.
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Happy New Year from
Executive Director Judy Sleeth
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This year I'm teaching Program 1 in my grandson's 1st grade class. It's an exciting, but humbling experience. After every lesson I think, "What did I do wrong?" "How could I have forgotten that concept?" "Why didn't I show them how to do this?" After all, I wrote the book.  And yet the kids are so happy! Last week a mom told me her son, Noah, never liked art before, but now begs to visit museums, to draw, and to talk about what he sees.
AiA School Coordinator Keiko Smith, of Central Elementary, reminds me, "When you're with the kids, there's no time to think. Just sharing the masterpiece is what's important. The learning happens in their eyes and minds, in the way they look and listen and express their ideas."
Yesterday we looked at Bruegel's Winter Scene. The discussion was wonderful, the sketching lesson went well, and the drawing of foreground tree and middle ground figures turned out beautifully. Then all of a sudden, there were dots of white paint everywhere. It was a blizzard of Q-tips! Snow covered the carefully drawn figures, kids hands, their desks! What did I do wrong? I have to remind myself, it's not about me. Twenty kids just learned to love art!
Thanks for bringing art to our children. They will be forever grateful!
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Third Grade Library Art Shows
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 In the fourth in a series of library art shows this year, third grade artwork is on display in ten local libraries from Jan. 12 - Feb. 9, 2009. Stop by and enjoy art created by our young artists at the following libraries:
Foster City Library - Audubon, Brewer Island, Foster City, Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School
Half Moon Bay - Kings Mountain, Hatch
Hillsdale Library - Laurel
Menlo Park Library - Nativity
Millbrae Library - Spring Valley
Redwood City Library - Adelante, Clifford, Orion, Redeemer Lutheran, Roy Cloud, Selby Lane, North Star Academy
Redwood Shores Library - Belmont Oaks, Nesbit, Sandpiper
San Bruno Library - Allen
San Carlos Library - Arundel, Brittan Acres, Central Elementary, Cipriani, Heather, IHM, Notre Dame, St. Charles, White Oaks
San Mateo Library - College Park, Fiesta Gardens, George Hall, Highlands, North Shoreview Montessori, Park, St. Gregory, St. Matthew, South Hillsborough, Sunnybrae
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Art in Action Partners with KQED and
San Mateo Public Library
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 Join Art in Action, KQED, and the San Mateo Public Library as we celebrate the 15th annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrator's Contest Kick-off Event.
Learn about the contest and how you can join, listen to a story and illustrate your own story! We look forward to seeing you there!
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009,
3:30 - 4:30 pm
Location: San Mateo Library, 55 West 3rd Ave., San Mateo
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| Art Advocacy
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Masterpieces in the Hallways
In "Principal," the magazine of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, principal Philip Downs and teacher Erin Patton-McFarren argue that "[d]ecorating school walls with great art can impact the entire curriculum."
Read more about what one school in Indiana is doing to promote the visual arts and notice the similarities to the Art in Action School Programs! Read more
Report: Opportunities to Build Creativity Elude Many Students
Many employers value workers with creative skills, yet research suggests most high schools provide the problem-solving or artistic endeavors believed to foster creativity only on an elective basis. "The findings ... present an opportunity for school systems and business leaders to further engage in a dialogue about how best to foster creativity among students, not only to produce a competitive workforce, but also to help all students succeed in life," said Paul D. Houston, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators. Learn more
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| New Partnerships
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Art in Action is developing new partnerships to expand opportunities for more children to participate in a formal visual arts program. Thanks to a generous grant from the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund, we are bringing Art in Action to 170 children at the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula in East Palo Alto and east Menlo Park.
We are also working with Fresno based Encourage Tomorrow, a provider of quality educational programs that empower students and families to become resilient and to maintain healthy lifestyles. Middle school students in ETO's after school program will have a creative outlet using our Program 4 Modern Art curriculum.
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| 7th Annual Diamond Award Winners!
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 Each year the Peninsula Arts Council's Diamond Awards recognize individuals and organizations
for their artistic achievements and contributions to the arts in San Mateo County. The Diamond Awards ceremony and reception will be
held Thursday, January 29, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the new Redwood Shores Library Learn more about the recipients and RSVP to the event. |
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E-magination is a monthly art resource for parents and teachers using the Art in Action program. To suggest events, submit articles, ask questions or give feedback, contact us on-line or call 650.566.8339.
Copyright 2009 Art in Action
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Family Art Workshop
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January 19, 2009 Celebrate 3rd Annual Martin Luther King
Art Day
Back by popular demand! Celebrate Diversity! Share time with your child creating projects inspired by art from around the world. Create Chilean rainsticks, paint Japanese carp streamers, and weave African textiles!
Register online for afternoon session: 1:00 - 2:00 pm
$5.00 per child
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Art Workshop
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Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009
Paint Your Own Kandinsky!
An adult workshop just for you! Popular San Carlos artist and ARTCAMP teacher extraordinaire, Gloria Laterza, will teach you color theory and how to design and paint a Kandinsky inspired masterpiece.
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Register
Ticket price of $24.99 includes canvas and acrylic paints
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Bring Art Back to the Classroom
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Dear Friend of Art in Action,
A generous donor is matching donations to Art in Action and has kindly extended the deadline until January 31, 2009. With your donation, large or small, you will help
bring art to children, empower teachers through training and support, and create online teacher resources using state-of-the-art technology.
Art inspires creativity, develops critical thinking, fosters self-confidence, and promotes cultural awareness. The Art in Action program builds the life skills we need for the future. Help us ensure that every child is enriched by a quality art program in school.
Send your tax-deductible contribution today! Please accept my personal thanks for your support.
Judy Sleeth
Executive Director
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Thanks to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation Donor Circle for the Arts
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Art in Action thanks the Silicon Valley Community Foundation Donor Circle for the Arts Fund for their recent grant of $5,000.
With their support, Art in Action will be able to provide our high quality visual arts program to 140 students at El Granada Elementary School in El Granada. It is because of innovative supporters like them, that we have been so successful in achieving our mission of bringing a quality visual art program to children in the Bay Area who might not otherwise have access to an art edcation. We thank them for making a difference.
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Summer's Just Around
the Corner
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Planning your child's summer activities? Sign up for
Wild World of Animals ARTcamp through your local Recreation Department. Weekly sessions run June 22-July 31, M-F,
9:00 am -12:00 pm.
Look for more information soon
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Last Call for Art Contest for Stanford ER Pediatric Unit
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Stanford Hospital's Pediatric Emergency
Unit wishes to display children's art for their young patients.
Approximately 15 original artworks created by Art in Action students
will be on display. We are pleased to invite all Art in Action students
to submit original artwork to be considered.
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Donate to Art in Action through Amazon.com
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Now you can donate to Art in Action through Amazon.com!
When you make your Amazon.com purchases through the Art in Action website a portion of the proceeds will go to support the Art in Action program. Your purchases help us bring art to more children. Thank you for your continued support. View the link located at the bottom of our homepage.
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Gallery Highlights
San Jose Museum of Art
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San Jose Museum of
Quilts and Textiles
Changing Landscapes: Contemporary Chinese Fiber Art
The
first exhibition of contemporary Chinese fiber art in the United
States. Presented in partnership with the Fiber Arts Institute of the
Academy of the Arts & Design at Tsinghua University in Beijing. this
exhibit includes
45 works by 48 artists.
Date: February 3 - April 26, 2009
Location: 520 South First Street,
San Jose
Call 408.971.0323
More info |
Got Photos?
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| Submit Them! |
| Art in Action accepts any and all kid's art photos. Email them to us at photos@artinaction.org. We might use them on our new website! |
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