No matter what the style— impressionistic, realistic or abstract— landscape has inspired artists for centuries. Neighborhood kids get to explore this classic inspiration in new ways through a Saturday morning arts education program aimed at first- through third-graders which began January 24 at Dana Branch Library.
“We’ve brought art into the classroom at Longfellow [Elementary] for over a decade, but time available for art education has lost out to time devoted to test preparation,” said textile designer Glennis Dolce, who approached the Long Beach library system and was awarded a grant to transplant the elementary art program from Longfellow to Dana Library along with arts advocate Penny Voelker.
Using fabric, fiber-laden papers, Mylar, ribbons, flocked velveteen, wallpaper and images of worldwide exotic locales, young budding artists learned about landscape by designing their own during the January 24 program. Printmaking is slated for the February 28 art session.
“One of the most enjoyable parts of this session is experiencing how differently and freely kids interpret landscape,” said Voelker, who started volunteering as an art teacher because she feels art instruction is important but lacking. “It is ironic because we have so much visual input in our society, but no art education as a basis for understanding it,” she said.
Glennis Dolce and Penny Voelker
Laurie Sugita, Director, Trash for Teaching, a Los Angeles-based non-profit dedicated to warehousing and supplying non-traditional materials for art education, also attended the event. “I’ve seen magic happen with these materials,” said Sugita, whose organization offers a warehouse full of spools, cones, giant tubes, fabric, wire, ribbon, paper, and other materials as an alternative to manufactured products. “Looking at it one way, Trash for Teaching is an extension of the blue-bin people, with a focus on the arts,” she said. “We are just following through on recycling efforts.”
The free art program is available for children the fourth Saturday of each month at the Dana Branch Library, 3680 Atlantic Avenue, from 10am to noon. For more information, call (562) 570-1042.
