Even more Chalk It Up news!

Erika Snow Robinson is back with another message of encouragement and an important link to our Facebook event page for Chalk It Up...

Hey Y’all!

Just want to thank everyone who is getting the word out there - especially those of you who are blogging, adding us to PTA Newsletters, websites, etc. Remember that you can find out the latest details about Chalk It Up, specifically, and South Bay Hands On Art, in general, here at the blog, or check out our Facebook Events page! I encourage all of you to ask your friends to join, or simply send them a Chalk It Up invitation once you’re there. Visit us - make comments - give suggestions, but mostly, let others know about us!

JOIN US...what are you waiting for? This event and our art program will only be as successful as the people we have participating and volunteering! And remember, your (and my) children are counting on you!

See you May 1st - at RUHS!
Erika Snow Robinson
CIU Co-Chair 2010
310.946.5421
redondobeachrobinsons@verizon.net

More Chalk It Up details!

Here's the latest from Chalk It Up chair Erika Snow Robinson:

Hey Y’all!

Just an update on Chalk It Up 2010 and how things are going! First, let me say - things are going GREAT!

We’ve secured some great food vendors, including Borrachos Tacos and Fresh Brothers Pizza and now the arts and crafts vendors are starting to sign up as well! Forty canvases or so will be making their way back to us after having been turned into art by local artists and members of the Redondo Beach Art Group - for our awesome Silent Art Auction. Also, we’ve got some cool music slated for the event including the band, “Olds Cool” and the “Free to Be Me” Drum Circle.

Lastly, I want to make sure that everyone knows...Chalk It Up, which is an all-volunteer run event, directly benefits South Bay Hands On Art - an all-volunteer, non-profit organization.

In other words, yes, SBHOA is in the classrooms of Redondo - but not just RBUSD schools - also our community’s private and religious schools like Ascension, Tuvia, St. James, St. Lawrence and so on...

AND we are NOT run by the district - so if/when y’all are thinking of donating or showing up to part with your hard-earned $10 for a 2x2 square on Saturday, May 1st, at Chalk It Up...please remember, this benefits EVERY child who has ever had, or ever will have, contact with the South Bay Hands On Art program, or the Reaching Out program, and it is COMPLETELY separate from any district activity!

Thanks in advance for y’all’s support - now get ready to CHALK IT UP!

Erika Snow Robinson
CIU 2010 Co-Chair

The Poetry of... Tin Foil?

(Art by Sadie, a Lincoln student)

For the current Hands on Art project, students are making "iron" sculptures--from tin foil and wire. Well you didn't think we'd have them doing welding, did you? A coat of black paint is surprisingly effective at creating the illusion of ironwork. The project (developed and presented by Carrie Powers) is inspired by the work of Julio Gonzalez (1876-1942), an artist from Barcelona who spent his adult life in France.

Three-dimensional projects always present a display challenge. Here's how the Lincoln chairs solved it!(Shoeboxes, craft paper, and a staple gun, if you're curious.)

CHALK IT UP 2010!

Here's a note from our enthusiastic Chalk It Up 2010 chair, Erika Snow Robinson, with all the details you need to plan a fine, fine day of chalk art on May 1.

Hey Yʼall! Chalk It Up is back this year, Iʼm happy to say! I agreed to run Chalk It Up this year for three reasons: #1) I missed it (like many of you have told me as well!); #2) itʼs now our only fundraiser solely dedicated to supporting Hands On Art (and we all know how important our art program is!) and #3) two of the most fabulous, amazing chicks said yes to “co-chairing” with me if Iʼd be the front man (or woman, I suppose) - and those two amazing chicks are Stefani Conniff and Laurie Anderson!

Yes, you know these gals - they are long-time HOA supporters, docents, participants and theyʼve both either chaired, or been involved with, Chalk It Up for a while as well. Chalk It Up would not be around this year if not for them and many other volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to pull it off. In fact, there are so many volunteers, helpers, committee chairs and just plain nice folks to help out, when all is said and done, Iʼm going to owe so many people favors, babysitting hours or money that I may have to raffle off my firstborn (sorry, Drew!).

We have some great changes this year - including getting technologically savvy. If youʼre reading this, perhaps youʼve already noticed how much Penny Richards, who so generously runs this blog for us, has magically pulled us into the 21st century...including a PAYPAL “buy” button to pre-purchase either a 2x2, 3x3, or the grand-daddy, a 5x5 square for the day of Chalk It Up (and yes, you can buy them the day of the event, too!) Please spread the word - about this blog, about our event - on Facebook, and Twitter and whatever other places are out in the blogosphere or web. We need all the help we can get and weʼre trying to avoid going paper crazy this year (in the interest of our environment and our sanity!).

Weʼll have live bands, the Free to Be Me Drum Circle, Dennis Forel of Balloonacy, an awesome Silent Art Auction with art created and donated by members of the Redondo Beach Art Group (of which Iʼll be donating one!), a bake sale, plus lots of food and vendors and also returning...the ever-popular jewelry workshops put on by the talented Silvia Peluso. So come out and stroll and chalk and view our Hands On Art Gallery by RB students!

Look for the flyers via email and by all means, pass them along to everyone you know. Weʼll be on Facebook soon so visit us there and who knows...maybe Iʼll even learn how to twit...tweeter...? well, you get the idea!

SEE YʼALL SATURDAY, MAY 1ST, 2010 - at RUHS, near diamond & PCH!
Erika Snow Robinson
Chalk It Up 2010

February Project: Mandala

For February, SBHOA classes will be focusing their energies and thoughts into mandalas... the lesson emphasizes the way design grows from the repetition of elements, and has a clever way to make that repetition (especially for children who may never have seen carbon paper ;) ). The docent workshops certainly enjoyed the process!

(Thanks to Cindy Denny for the fine photos.)