MISSION STATEMENT

The Los Altos Art Docents are a distinctive group of trained volunteers, who teach art in a manner which expands and motivates the development of creativity and curiosity in the children of the Los Altos School District.  Our program involves the imagination of the child and increases his and her technical skills in the creation of art.

PROCESS

In the classroom our methods stress process over product, enabling children to view art and themselves in a new light. This is achieved by a combination of appreciation and hands-on lessons.  The foundation of these lessons is the art elements: line, shape, space, color and texture.  Each lesson builds on previous techniques and knowledge.  And each is geared to the students' age, physical abilities, criteria from teachers and school curriculum.

In the hands-on lessons the docent encourages creativity through watercolor, tempera, clay, pen, pencil and colored paper.  Though the lessons are structured, these is also opportunity for individual expression. Appreciation lessons allow children to discuss art and simultaneously gives them a vocabulary to do so.  Reproductions, slides and artifacts whose themes tie into the students' course of study, or which develop understanding of the art elements, are brought into the classroom.  The docents encourage all students to participate in the discussions. The final step in the art process, that of displaying or showing the art work, is accomplished through the Spring Art Show organized by the docents.  The classroom teachers in every class in the school district are encouraged to submit a work of art by each student.  The children enjoy seeing their work and that of other students displayed in an actual art show.

VOLUNTEERS

The volunteer docents are generously rewarded by being a part of this program.  The training is intellectually and creatively stimulating.  All docents attend monthly meetings were business is discussed and programs are presented.  Social activities and field trips offer more ways for the group to interact and support one another. The largest reward, however, is being in the classrooms with the children, encouraging their interest, participation and enjoyment of art.

DISTRICT INVOLVEMENT

The Los Altos School District provides a room for a docent office and for materials storage.  The district also funds a part-time coordinator, who schedules the lessons, sends out lesson reminders to the teachers, keeps inventory of materials, works with the docent board in running the program, sees that the program has a clear role to play in the school district, and provides continuity from year to year in fulfilling its goals.

Funds for the program are provided partially by the Los Altos School District with the remainder from Parent-Teacher Associations and community art groups.

DOCENT BOARD AND MEMBERS

The docent board of directors oversees recruitment, publicity, training schedule, hospitality, and featured speakers and programs for the monthly meetings.  The docents come from a wide range of backgrounds.  Some have formal teaching experience or an art background.  All share a keen interest in art and love of children.  The docents all value the opportunity to share their appreciation of the fine arts with children of all ages.

CONTACT

The Student Art Show, featuring artwork by every student in the Los Altos Elementary School District, will be held in March at Hillview Community Center. Children, parents, relatives, friends and the general public are welcome. Admission is free.

• Gallery hours are 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 1:00-5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
• On Saturday, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. children are invited to participate in fun and creative "hands-on" art activities.
• Artwork by Blach and Egan Junior High School students will also be on display.

The Student Art Show is presented by the Los Altos Art Docents, with support from the Los Altos Parks and Recreation Department, the Los Altos Art Club, and the PTAs of the elementary schools. The Art Docents are volunteers who, for 27 years, have been bringing appreciation and hands-on art lessons into the classrooms of all six Los Altos elementary schools.