“Some of the kids who struggle in the classroom just blossom here and you get to see another side of them.”
That is one of the reasons why Casey Bohn, a second grade teacher at Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School in Carlsbad, continues to bring her students to the William D. Cannon Art Gallery to participate in the Three-Part-Art education program.
The gallery is located at Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane. When there are exhibits, the free program brings two classes to the gallery every Monday through Thursday for two hours before it opens.
The students tour the current exhibit, partake in an interactive activity in the gallery and then do a hands-on art project related to the exhibit.
Bohn's student, Sophia Stockton, had never been to an art gallery before last month's fieldtrip. She said she learned about value, lightness or darkness of a hue or neutral color, and what the title cards are for next to each piece on exhibit.
“I really want to come back here sometime,” Sophia said while coloring in the letters of her name with a dark grey pencil, an activity that uses six values in a composition.
A month prior to visiting the gallery, each teacher is given a curriculum guide with information about the artists and their works, key terms, pre- and post-visit activities for the classroom and laminated images with questions to engage their students.
Tonya Rodzach, the city's arts education coordinator, said about 4,000 to 5,000 kids have participated in the program every year since it began in 1999. She explained that it is geared toward third and fourth grade students in the Carlsbad Unified School District, but also is open to other grades and districts.
Part-time staff members give the tours and volunteers assist the kids with their art projects. Parent chaperones also tour the gallery with the students.
“Our whole goal is to have an inviting place for kids and parents to come and to feel comfortable talking about the works of art, and this program gives them the tools to do that,” Rodzach said.
Carlsbad Friends of the Arts, a nonprofit that raises money to support the city's Cultural Arts Office, helps fund the program. The Friends also help fund the city's TGIF Jazz in the Parks concert series, and in the past the group has supported Family Open Studios, a hands-on art making event at the gallery.
“The Friends do great things to help support our mission, which is making art accessible to people of all ages,” Rodzach said.
Kevin Mudd, vice president of the nonprofit, said the Three-Part-Art program is especially important because it supplements the lack of art education in most public schools.
“When I went to school we had art, it was part of the curriculum, and I think it made me a better person,” he said.
Mudd said the Friends raise money through membership and by soliciting businesses to donate items for opportunity drawings. He said the nonprofit can always use help because then it can do more.
“Every year, the money the government gives to support anything is less and less,” Mudd said. “Groups like us are very important to help sustain the arts.”
For more information about Carlsbad Friends of the Arts, call (760) 434-2903.
That is one of the reasons why Casey Bohn, a second grade teacher at Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School in Carlsbad, continues to bring her students to the William D. Cannon Art Gallery to participate in the Three-Part-Art education program.
The gallery is located at Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane. When there are exhibits, the free program brings two classes to the gallery every Monday through Thursday for two hours before it opens.
The students tour the current exhibit, partake in an interactive activity in the gallery and then do a hands-on art project related to the exhibit.
Bohn's student, Sophia Stockton, had never been to an art gallery before last month's fieldtrip. She said she learned about value, lightness or darkness of a hue or neutral color, and what the title cards are for next to each piece on exhibit.
“I really want to come back here sometime,” Sophia said while coloring in the letters of her name with a dark grey pencil, an activity that uses six values in a composition.
A month prior to visiting the gallery, each teacher is given a curriculum guide with information about the artists and their works, key terms, pre- and post-visit activities for the classroom and laminated images with questions to engage their students.
Tonya Rodzach, the city's arts education coordinator, said about 4,000 to 5,000 kids have participated in the program every year since it began in 1999. She explained that it is geared toward third and fourth grade students in the Carlsbad Unified School District, but also is open to other grades and districts.
Part-time staff members give the tours and volunteers assist the kids with their art projects. Parent chaperones also tour the gallery with the students.
“Our whole goal is to have an inviting place for kids and parents to come and to feel comfortable talking about the works of art, and this program gives them the tools to do that,” Rodzach said.
Carlsbad Friends of the Arts, a nonprofit that raises money to support the city's Cultural Arts Office, helps fund the program. The Friends also help fund the city's TGIF Jazz in the Parks concert series, and in the past the group has supported Family Open Studios, a hands-on art making event at the gallery.
“The Friends do great things to help support our mission, which is making art accessible to people of all ages,” Rodzach said.
Kevin Mudd, vice president of the nonprofit, said the Three-Part-Art program is especially important because it supplements the lack of art education in most public schools.
“When I went to school we had art, it was part of the curriculum, and I think it made me a better person,” he said.
Mudd said the Friends raise money through membership and by soliciting businesses to donate items for opportunity drawings. He said the nonprofit can always use help because then it can do more.
“Every year, the money the government gives to support anything is less and less,” Mudd said. “Groups like us are very important to help sustain the arts.”
For more information about Carlsbad Friends of the Arts, call (760) 434-2903.