Workshop #1: Myth and Mystery

What happens at our workshops? Well.... About 180 docents are assembled in one room:
And we eat brunch (but it went so fast I didn't get a chance to photograph the coffee, the quiches, the croissants, the fruit, the flan...). And there are announcements, and helpful displays related to the project of the day:
Want to buy a t-shirt or apron? The merchandise table is waiting for you:

Now it's time to get down to the art.... The presenter says, hands in the gesso!

And TAAAH-DAAAAH! Happy docents with their finished works, ready to teach the lesson to their students.

October 11: "Where the Wild Things Are" Day at the Skirball

Because our last project of this school year is based on Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are," we thought Hands on Art docents, families, and friends would be interested in the Skirball's upcoming Family Day, "Where the Wild Things Are," to be held on October 11, 10am-4:30pm. It'll feature a craft center, live music, readings, and an exhibit of illustrations and props from the movie (due out soon). It's free with museum admission and no reservations needed. Check it out at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles (just off the 405).

More Dates to Save

South Bay Hands on Art docents have opportunities to do a lot of community activities and fundraisers beyond the classes we teach in local and outreach schools. Some you can put on the calendar right now....

The Power of Art
16-18 October
655 North Harbor Drive, RB
A three-day cultural arts celebration sponsored by the Redondo Beach Art Group. SBHOA docents will be teaching a workshop at this event, "How Sweet It Is."

Grow Well-Explore Art
12 December - 22 February
Beach Cities Health District
A major exhibit of Hands on Art projects, with displays created by each school's docents. The opening reception will feature a silent auction, and prizes for the best displays. Don't miss it!

Chalk It Up
1 May
(Location to be confirmed soon)
A chalk art fundraiser for South Bay Hands on Art. Docents will be involved in planning this event and making it happen; buy a square or a pair, or a great big square for a great group activity.

Workshop Dates for 2009-2010

Here is the final schedule of workshops for the coming year. (If you're at a Thursday school, notice the Thursday dates; if you're at a Friday school, notice the Friday dates.)

Myth and Mystery
Marianne Coble
October 8-9
Inspired by the work of Jesse Reno (b. 1974) of Portland OR, students will create their own mythological painting on rosin paper using a variety of media.

The Color of Snow
Birgit Snodgrass
November 12-13
This project will have students wondering what is the real color of snow. They will use watercolor, Maskoid, and salt to create their own unique landscape of birch trees, fences, and colored snow.

Pastel Wolf
Julia Tedesco
January 7-8
Students will draw a step-by-step portrait of a wolf and learn how to use chalk pastels. They will also learn about wolves and wolf conservation.

Mandala: The Complete Circle
YaVanna Baird
February 4-5
Students will explore patterns, shapes, and emotions as they create their personal mandala using prismacolor pencils.

The Poetry of Iron
Carrie Powers
March 11-12
Students will sculpt with wire and foil, adding black paint and a clay base, to create their own abstract sculpture inspired by the work of Spanish-born Julio Gonzolez (1876-1942).

Wild Things
Marianne Coble
May 6-7
Inspired by the popular children's book by Maurice Sendak, students will design a three-dimensional page with landscape and a creature, using a variety of techniques and media.

Our New Location!

For the 2009-2010 school year, South Bay Hands on Art docent training workshops will be held at Parras Middle School (see link in sidebar). We will meet in the Multimedia Room, an auditorium off the cafeteria.

Because the parking is quite limited at this location, we're encouraging carpooling (as usual), and also asking that docents use LEGAL* STREET PARKING whenever possible. The curb near the Multimedia Room should be kept open for school supply chairs, who are usually bringing bins full of supplies to the workshops. Docents who require closer parking for health reasons should also have priority for the few campus spaces we can use. Let's leave the close spaces for the folks who really need them, and enjoy a little walk in a nice neighborhood before and after our workshop fun.

*Use your eyes and common sense--look for signs about street cleaning and other restrictions on parking. Hands on Art will not pay your parking ticket if you fail to follow basic rules of parking to attend a workshop.