Art Docents

Bringing art to the children of the Los Gatos Union School District

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President’s Letter – February 2019

February 8, 2019 By Julie Ferrario

 

It takes HEART to volunteer….you need a heart of passion for the Arts. Our Docents feel that it is so important to teach Art, that we are willing to volunteer our time and energy.

It takes HEART to feel the courage to take on something that may make you feel a bit nervous.  Putting yourself out there – your heart beats faster just before you head into your classroom to teach.

It fills your HEART to see the students get excited to have the Art Docents come into their classrooms.

It fills your HEART to listen and enjoy what these clever students have to say about Art.


January has come and gone.

We reserve January for the newest Art Docents to teach their lessons

they have been working on in training and get out into the classrooms.

We are so fortunate to have our new group of Art Docents

who have ventured out to teach their first Art Docent Presentations.

It is exciting, overwhelming and very rewarding!

We thank you all from our HEART!

—-

Introducing our new

Classroom Presentation Feedback Form!

Thanks to our newest member of the IT team,

Martha W.  we now have an online form to capture your feedback.

We wanted a place to collect the information regarding both Technical Issues you have experienced as well as when you have a concern or an edit for a Classroom Presentation.

Changes take time to ensure quality…here is our process.

1) Your feedback goes directly into a spreadsheet when we use this form.

2)The form is shared and viewed by the Curriculum , IT Committees, Program Coordinator and Executive Board.

3)The committees review the feedback and make changes if necessary to help better our program.

4)Any major changes are also reviewed and approved by the Executive Board.

—-

POSITIVE FEEDBACK is ALWAYS WELCOME 🙂 
—-
To find the form….

 – Log in to the Docent Page on the website

 – Scroll to the bottom of the page 

​ – Look under “FORMS” for “Classroom Presentation Feedback Form”​

 

 

Art Docents in the News

Thank you to Sarah L.S. and Stephanie D

for getting this article written!

Art Docents of Los Gatos Launch “Big Data Art” Workshop For Sixth Graders

LOS GATOS, CA — These multi-colored spirals lined up on a giant sheet of white paper might look as mysterious as Egyptian hieroglyphics to the uninitiated, but they’re actually representations of how a class of sixth graders spend their time at Los Gatos’ Raymond J. Fisher Middle School.​

The spirals form a “data portrait” — an art form inspired by Laurie Frick, an artist in Austin, Texas who “explores the bumpy future of data captured about us.” Each spiral pictured here represents the hours spent in a typical sixth grader’s day: The colored dots represent a child’s favorite category of activity, with the other categories (sleep, meals, school, homework, screen-time, etc.), spiraling outwards to the least favored.

The kids created these data portraits during a workshop and lesson about the concept of “big data art.” It’s a new 90-minute class taught during a math period by the Art Docents of Los Gatos, and is part of a push by the Los Gatos Education Foundation and the school district to incorporate more of a STEAM approach to learning…..read more 

Big Data Art Workshop presented at Fisher Middle School, Los Gatos (CA) by the Art Docents of Los Gatos


Happy Valentines!

—

Julie Ferrario

President of Art Docents of Los Gatos

 

 

 

Filed Under: Blog

President’s Letter – January 2019

January 11, 2019 By Julie Ferrario

Happy New Year – Welcome 2019!

 

What a great way to celebrate the new year….by congratulating our newest docent graduates and celebrating with longtime volunteers!

Congrats to Tabatha, Lilli, Sue, Jessica, Mary and Pauline for earning your anniversary pins ranging from 5 to 40 years.

 

 

It was a warm and welcoming Holiday party thanks to our great Hospitality Committee and our generous host! 

Thank you Hospitality Committee

Harla, Janice, Rafaella, Nava

& our host Michelle!!!

 

 

Thank you Harla and Janice….you made it all happen!

 

Congrats to our longstanding members – glad to have you on board Mary and Sue!

 

Congrats to the newest Art Docents – Class of 2019!

 

Here’s to our awesome Program Coordinator, Stefanie and our generous host, Michelle!

 

 

To our new graduates…we look forward to working with you.  Class of 2019 is off to a great start and it’s so great to see your enthusiasm and energy.  Thanks so much for you dedication and time.

 

 

 

 

 

In December we shared in the Holiday spirit in this year’s Los Gatos Children’s Holiday Parade. So nice to be so connected and committed to our awesome town of Los Gatos!

 

You can watch the Los Gatos Parade in December with this link.

 
View Full Parade – Click here
 
Fast forward to 53.00 minutes to see us for 30 seconds!!
The link below starts at  just about that time the Art Docents are on.

 

 

 

Here’s to the new year in Art and Volunteering!

Julie Ferrario

President of Art Docents of Los Gatos

Filed Under: Blog

President’s Letter: December 2018

December 7, 2018 By Julie Ferrario

It’s time to CELEBRATE! 

It is amazing to think that from September to December the Art Docents will have accomplished so much! 

Given 147 print presentations,

Taught 60 workshops,

Trained and graduated 15 new docents who have completed 10 weeks of training,

Set up 5 different continuing education events,

4 general meetings with 3 guest speakers,

Participated in 1 fundraiser for the Art Docents (thanks to the Chamber of Commerce),

and

Completed the 1st launch of our new lesson on Big Data Art in the 6th grade math classes!

 

The Art Docents have really made an impact!

 

FAMILY-FRIENDS-TRADITIONS

Thank you to our Families for helping out, supporting our volunteer efforts, we depend on your support!

So glad to work with Friends and make new ones each year.  Working together for a good cause, depending on each other, and connecting with our community is such a special reward for all our efforts.

Tradition means the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way.  In that way we are so fortunate here in the Los Gatos School District to have some terrific traditions to pass on.  The Holiday Parade has been something the Art Docents have participated in many years (minus a few years here and there).  We also have the tradition of learning and teaching art with volunteers who are passionate about making sure our students have the opportunity to include Art in their education. 

Thank you to all the volunteers who have come before us for 45 years….who have led the way for us to pass on these great traditions and bring a sense of community, education and friendship to all our lives.

 

 

Rain or Shine

….we are so happy to be in the Holiday Parade 2018

Thank you to our family friends and beloved pets who helped make our Parade a success.

 

Thank you Michelle for leading our parade again!

 

 

Big Data Art Team: 

Irene, Ros, Ellen, Ms. Nelson (6th grade math teacher at Fisher), Cheryl & Julie

Missing from picture…but so important to our Curriculum Team –

Lea, Stacey, Kelly our LGUSD Art Teacher

 

 

Congratulations Trainees Class of 2018!

We celebrate our new team of docents….

We especially celebrate our

awesome trainers

Julie and Sue!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Holidays…from my family to yours!

Julie Ferrario

Art Docents of Los Gatos

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Blog, President's Letters

President’s Letter – November 2018

November 9, 2018 By Julie Ferrario

November brings to mind a time of thankfulness. 

It can be difficult sometimes, but important to remember that being grateful

can help you focus on the positive things in life.

 

 

  • I’m grateful for the Art Docents and having the opportunity to work with students and share my love of Art!
    • Printmaking Workshop in 1st Grade
    • Face and Figure Drawing Workshops in 4th Grade
    • Big Data Art Workshop in 6th Grade Math classes
    • K – 5th grade lessons taught monthly
  • I’m grateful for our wonderful community that supports the Arts!
    • LGEF
    • Los Gatos Union School District
    • Town of Los Gatos
    • Home & School Clubs
    • Silicon Valley Creates
    • Los Gatos Rotary Clubs
    • Sereno Group Realty
    • Los Gatos Community Foundation
    • Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce
    • Board of Directors & Member Donations
    • And so many more…..Sponsors of the Art Docents
  • I’m grateful for all our wonderful volunteers who make the Art Docents of Los Gatos thrive!
    • Docents who teach about 100 lessons each month and volunteer on committees that make our program strong
    • 15 Trainees & 2 Trainers who are working hard already
    • ​​Executive Board Volunteers…who tirelessly volunteer
    • Board of Directors who volunteer their time to help our non-profit organization
    • Teachers like Kelly Martin & Brandy Nelson who volunteer their time with Art Docents

 


 

Here is a great art activity to do with you family I found at fun website…called  The Artful Parent

 

​
DIY Thankful Bunting – A Family Thanksgiving Art Activity
​

Before creating the thankful bunting, sit down and talk with your family about what you are each thankful for.

Talking about what you are thankful for can be a great way to foster family spirit and a sense of contentment so 

I recommend doing this activity often, not just at Thanksgiving.
—
Gratitude is proven to buoy happiness and even improve health!

 


 

House of Hope – Food Pantry Drive
—-
A message from Bonnie W., Board of Director 
The House of Hope is hosting a Food Drive for those in need in our local community
as they gear up for the Holiday Season. A barrel for collections will be conveniently located in
the Art Docents Office for those who wish to participate. Any kind of canned goods
would be welcome,
but please remember to please check the expiration date on items donated.
​
House of Hope – Calvary’s Food Pantry

 

 

Gratefully Yours in Art!

 

Julie Ferrario


President
​

Art Docents of LosGatos

 

Filed Under: Blog, President's Letters

President’s Letter: October 2018

October 4, 2018 By Julie Ferrario

How do the Art Docents get the year off to a great start?


1) Scientific Illustration Lessons in the 7th grade science classes at Fisher Middle School


2) Our Open House was a success….we have 15 new trainees on board!

xxx

xxx

3) LGEF, President Regina B. explains how your donations to LGEF help fund Art Docents.

xxx

xxx

4) Stefanie J., our Program Coordinator is busy and back to work…always with a smile!

xxx

xxx

5)  Answering questions at our Open House…explaining how we operate!

xxx

xxx

6) Our Hospitality team…great work preparing & cleaning our office space!

xxx

xxx

7) Docents ready to get started….happy to be “Back to School”!

 

xxx

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8) Updated our brochure with new logo and vibrant colors!

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9) Jr. Art Docents of Los Gatos High School at club sign up day.

 

 

xxx

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10) Class of 2018-19 Training is underway!

 

xxx

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 Looking forward to a great year in ART!

 

 

Julie Ferrario

President

 

Filed Under: Blog, President's Letters

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17000 Roberts Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
1-408-335-2366
artdocents@me.com
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Who We Are!

https://youtu.be/hS0xr80pwxc

Join our Training!

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