Students from across the county participated in writing and art making sessions, created murals with pelon and mosaic tiles, crafted clay dishes on which a feast was served, and learned instruments for the first time from violins and guitars to mariachi trumpets.
November 2016
Students made films and quilts (to donate), acted, sang and danced, and mentored other students. They attended master camps to learn chalk art, collage, photography, print-making, watercolor, cartooning, drawing and jewelry-making. And when it was almost done, they performed for families and friends, exhibited their work, and packed up sweet memories for the summer.
A small snapshot of the stories of impact that occurred across the county all summer long include:
- when Dads dropped in on the workshops and make art alongside their sons and daughters
- when proud and tough teenaged boys made quilts to be donated to the Sonoma Overnight Shelter
- when students in the live drawing classes were surprised to learn that their models were therapy dogs
- when visitors to the arts center, watching kids in a chalk drawing class left … only to return a few minutes later with popsicles for everyone
In perfect candor, one student remarked, “We thought we were going to hate this because we don’t like art. But this is actually pretty cool. I like that this is real stuff, glass and all…” Also overheard was a young film student who exclaimed “This is the best day of my life!”
A young artist-apprentice reflected, “Working on this project was an experience unchallenged by anything else I’ve worked on. Seeing all the kids working on the pieces together as a group, becoming friends in the process, was an amazing thing to be a part of and see it happening right in front of me. Seeing all the different pieces of the heart finally come together after our work was so fulfilling and truly a great symbol of teamwork and the togetherness of our Sonoma County community.”
And from perhaps the toughest critic — a parent — “The thing I loved about the program was how my two boys come home as if I filled their happiness buckets!”
Congratulations to all of the arts organizations on their great work making an impact in young people’s lives.
Creative Sonoma is grateful to the County of Sonoma for its leadership in making these funds available to invest in the artful learning of our young people.
For a full list of grantees, please click here.