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Spring Art for Kids
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Ellen Mulholland
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March, 13 2008
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| Spring is nearly here. And the promise of a vacation is already starting to pull at kids. The classroom feels a little confining as they yearn for something different -- a twist on their daily routine. For some, it’s just time outdoors; but for others, a new class with new friends and new ideas is perfect. Even as Oakland schools and libraries struggle to find funding for enriching new classes, a search around town can dig up some artsy and creative opportunities for kids. And if your kids are interested in visual arts, this town is exactly where they should be. |
Photo: Anita Patterson Peppers
Overheard in the Backseat
Mom: So, I was thinking that you might want to take a welding class at the Crucible.
Son: Why?
Mom: Well, they teach you how to work with fire.
Son: I don’t need to learn how to work with fire, I know how.
Mom: Yeah, but they teach you how to be safe.
Son: Oh, so it’s not a cool class, it’s an educational class?
Mom: I’d say it’s a bit of both.
Spring is nearly here. And the promise of a vacation is already starting to pull at kids. The classroom feels a little confining as they yearn for something different -- a twist on their daily routine. For some, it’s just time outdoors; but for others, a new class with new friends and new ideas is perfect. Even as Oakland schools and libraries struggle to find funding for enriching new classes, a search around town can dig up some artsy and creative opportunities for kids. And if your kids are interested in visual arts, this town is exactly where they should be.
If your kids are lucky, their teacher has already picked up a foam board at MOCHA, ready to create a visual sensation for next month’s Kids Paint the Town. In conjunction with the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA), students all over town will construct art boards around the theme “Spring into Life!”
This bi-annual community event offers Berkeley and Oakland merchants the opportunity to open up their windows to local youth during April. Although the application deadline for art has passed, merchants can still contact Kids Paint The Town to offer up some window space. Art installations take place March 24 – 31 and remain up throughout April. Merchants may contact www.kidspaintthetown.com for more information.
MOCHA
538 Ninth Street
Gallery admission is free
(510) 465-8770
www.mocha.org
MOCHA opens its studios for some “drop-in” art times starting Fridays and running through the weekends. In addition, it runs camps during school vacations. For Oakland students, those days would be from March 24 to March 28.
March 24 – 28, kids grades K-8
8:30 am – 3:30 pm (pre-care and extended care available for additional fees)
$60/day
Each day varies with a little Dadaism to Renaissance art to wearable Hip-Hop graphics.
Tuition assistance is available.
The Crucible
1260 7th Street
(510) 444-0919
www.thecrucible.org
The Crucible says it is a collaboration of the arts, industry, and community. The non-profit, which is probably best known for its annual fire arts festival, has a sculpture studio, metal shop, and foundry. The group offers a variety of adult workshops as well as classes for kids and their families. For details, visit their website. In the meantime, your child might want to check out their spring break programs.
March 24 to 38
Five-day sessions, ranging from sand casting in aluminum to welding to flame-working
Classes run either 9 am – noon or 1 pm – 4 pm
Non-member rates: $220 - $260
Junior Center of Art and Science
558 Bellevue Avenue
(510) 839-5777
www.juniorcenter.org
This innovative program runs Friday classes throughout the year. Students are divided into age-specific classes focusing on carpentry or drawing and technical skills for teens. Space is limited and the last session began in February. However, the center will host several workshops during the next few months. These programs are for younger kids and require an adult’s supervision. Each workshop is less than $10.
Earth Day Celebration
April 5
11 am – 2 pm
The Science of Chocolate and Ice Cream
May 17
11 am – 2 pm
California College of the Arts
5212 Broadway
(510) 594-3710
www.cca.edu
If a one-day or even week-long workshop just isn’t enough for your young artist, why not visit Oakland’s own college for aspiring artists? The college offers two ten-day intensives this summer. Students choose from a list of different studios for the morning and afternoon sessions. Classes include black and white photography, cartoon drawing and mosaic design along with several other options. These classes are for students who will have just completed the sixth, seventh or eighth grade.
June 16 to 27 Or August 4 to 15
8:30 pm to 4:30 pm
$600
The programs and organizations mentioned above have been tried and tested by many. Yet, we advise parents to ask questions of all programs. Visit the centers, talk to the instructors, and check in with your child daily about how he/she is feeling about the class.
Curious about more creative programs offered in town this summer? You will need to pick up the next issue of OakBook magazine this April for a diverse listing of art, music, science and the unusual. |
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RECOMMEND
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The Publisher's Letter
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Welcome to our new web site -- NovMetro has now become The OakBook! The old stories are all here. And we're still the same people on the same mission -- bringing you fascinating Oakland stories.
But it's a new look -- and there are some new things that you'll find as you play around -- the Sudoku, for example. Click on a pen and start playing! Let us know what you think about this. We'd love to hear from you.
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