For most of our Art in Action schools, June
marks the end of another school year. Yes, likely weeks ago, students' minds have already started wandering off - imagining endless days at the pool, the park, or (unsurprisingly) in front of a television or a computer screen. But since they have spent the year with our program, they may also be looking forward to unstructured time to enjoy painting, drawing, sculpting, or using some of the other skills they gained.

 

Your now-ready-for-1st grader (we know at least 6,200 of these) may ask to make another collage inspired by our Mondrian lesson - so keep the glue, scissors, and colored paper handy.

 

You might be surprised to find that your just-finished-with-3rd grade child (5,700 in Art in Action this year) has packed something extra next to the iPod and PS3 they have stashed in their camping gear - a sketchbook. While hiking in Yosemite, they may fall a little behind as they use their shading skills learned in the Vermeer lesson to capture the textured roundness of a redwood tree.

 

And on the drive back from your beach vacation, while everyone else is enjoying their roadside diner meal, your soon-to-be 6th grader (4,600 5th graders learned art from us this year) won't just be eating their food, they'll be sketching and sculpting it, just like they did in the Oldenburg lesson.

 

It is our sincere hope that the nearly 40,000 students across the country that participated in Art in Action this year have discovered a lifelong interest in art and will keep that interest honed during the "summer slide." You can do your part by taking your child or grandchild to a museum (most are air-conditioned!), share art books with them, and keep art supplies ready.  

 

We look forward to seeing you and your students again this fall. If your school does not use the Art in Action Program and you want to bring the joy of art to your school, click here and we'll tell you more.

 

Jeffrey Dollinger, Executive Director  

We thank the Palo Alto Community Fund for a generous grant  to pilot the
Art in Action Program in five classrooms at Belle Haven Elementary School in East Menlo Park, CA this year.  We are grateful to  the PACF and our other funders who help Art in Action provide our program to students who would not otherwise have an opportunity to participate in an art program.

Nearly 100 families and educators celebrated the creativity and hard work of student artists from Willow Oaks Elementary School and East Palo Alto Charter School at the East Palo Alto Library  on June 5th. Children's librarian Alejandro Gallegos stated with a smile, "It was a very fun, lively, and well-attended event!" We thank the Palo Alto Community Fund and the Palo Alto Weekly 

Here are highlights of two wonderful art 

Anderson Collection The Art of Framing

experiences offered via the silent auction at our annual fundraising event in March:

Donors enjoyed a fabulous afternoon viewing contemporary art at a private docent-led tour of The Anderson Collection on May 23rd. The tour was followed by a lovely wine and cheese reception. A special thanks to Moo Anderson and Karen Saracino for hosting the event. 

Janet Martin and Kristen Benson of

The Studio Shop in Burlingame,

CA, provided an amazing lesson on

the history of framing from 15th century

School Coordinators are the heart and soul of the Art in Action Program in a school. They work very hard organizing teaching schedules, art supplies, art shows, volunteer hours, and a variety of other duties.  We recently thanked our local School Coordinators with a brunch, and special honors were given to those who will retire at the end of this school year.

We have a new school in Kuwait!  Welcome Art for Change in Dasman, Kuwait. Dalal Alnafisi is starting the program with "Art Around the World" to introduce her students to significant artists from different times and places throughout the globe.

Expanding throughout the United States:

Beach Elementary School, Portland, OR  

Metter Elementary School, Metter, GA  

North Florida School of Special Education, Jacksonville, FL  

 

Joining our San Francisco Bay Area schools:

Gardner Academy, San Jose, CA
Los Robles Dual Immersion Magnet Academy, East Palo Alto, CA

Are you interested in increasing your involvement with Art in Action? 

Consider becoming a trainer.  We are seeking experienced Art in Action docents in the San Francisco Bay Area. Applicants must have at least three years experience teaching Art in Action's curriculum. This is a paid position. For information, contact Kelly Bravo or call 650-566-8339x201.