Art Docents

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

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Docent Spotlight: Julie Ferrario

May 4, 2017 By Julie Ferrario


Congratulations Julie!

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We are pleased to announce that Julie Ferrario received a
Volunteer of the year award from the San Jose Junior League

for her volunteer work with the Art Docents of Los Gatos Inc.,

Julie was put forward for the award via the

Executive Board and requests from various fellow Art Docents.

The award is for a volunteer who has used their own initiative and time

to develop new skills that would improve the organization they volunteer for.

Over the past few years Julie learned and developed new technology skills for herself in order to streamline some of our

Docent activities and classroom performance with Technical equipment.
Julie has shown thoughtful leadership skills and given many hours

to help other volunteers increase their confidence with technical equipment.

Thank you Julie.

VRL 2017 Julie
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2017 VRL Julie flowers

Filed Under: Blog, Docent Spotlight

Docent Spotlight: Kathie Gaylord

March 31, 2017 By Julie Ferrario

Kathie Gaylord…an active Art Docent for 31 years!

“I have loved being an Art Docent and going into the classroom.
I really get a kick out of the kids.  And of course in kindergarten
you are never sure what they are going to come up with!”

Kathie Gaylord 2015Ready to teach an Art Docent Presentation!
2015


1986 was Kathie’s first year with the Art Docents of Los Gatos!

Wow were we lucky to have such a dedicated volunteer
and really nice person join our organization.
Currently she is serving on the Library committee.

Please take a minute to read below a few questions she answered for our Spotlight!

Why did you become an art docent?

I had an art history minor in college.   Love sharing art with the kids.

What event has been your favorite?

Probably the art show.   Amazing to see all the artwork we gather.  Our kids are great!

What is a favorite classroom memory?

I now have two granddaughters at Van Meter.  So fun to present in their class.  Also I also go into one of the classes that is taught by a girl who went to school with my daughter. Very special.

What grade do you like best to teach and why?

I taught pre-school at Green Hills for quite a few years and I love that age group so kindergarten is my favorite grade.

What’s your favorite lesson you’ve given and why?

I get a kick out of doing the foil animals in kindergarten.  So fun to see what the kids come up with.

Describe a memorable experience with the Art Docents

Years ago we used to have a fundraiser with dinner and a silent auction.  I lot of people from the community joined us.  Was a great way to let the community know what we were doing and it was a lot of fun. I miss it.

What do you like best about being an Art Docent?

I have loved being an Art Docent and going into the classroom.  I really get a kick out of the kids.  And of course in kindergarten you are never sure what they are going to come up with!

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Holiday Luncheon 2009
Kathie Gaylord 2007
Holiday Luncheon 2014
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Volunteering at our Art Show! 2016

 

Thank you Kathie Gaylord for your dedication and friendship!

Filed Under: Blog, Docent Spotlight

Docent Spotlight: Julie Jenkins

March 9, 2017 By Julie Ferrario

Julie Jenkins has been an active Art Docent since 2010,
she has been a Trainer & currently is
a member of
our Board of Directors.
Julie Jenkin

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Why did you become an art docent?

Our family relocated to Los Gatos from Boston in 2010. I have two awesome kids Tatum (10th grade LGHS) and Trey (8th grade Fisher), and an equally awesome husband, BJ Jenkins. OH… can’t forget… Two mini poodle children as well… Joey (3) and Scarlet (1).
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We enrolled our children in Blossom Hill.  At that time there was no district art teacher… I heard at the parent open house,that other than the art docent lead lessons, that could possibly be the only exposure to art my kids could have.
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Being an art dealer myself a saw the need to get involved, and have never looked back.

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How does volunteering for the Art Docents compare to other volunteer experiences you’ve had?

Most other volunteering posts are not child orientated. I thoroughly enjoy working with the kids. They just LOVE when we walk in the door.  It’s fun to make them think and have/share their opinions…as most of what they do in school has a right or wrong answer.Also have formed incredible,  lasting relationships with the teachers, staff and principles.
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Priceless!
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2013.12.06 Training Graduation Fundraising working

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What event has been your favorite?

I loved the Vasona “Festival of Lights”, bus tour fundraiser in 2015.  It was an incredible experience being the pre-party host.  We all enjoyed fine wines and fantastic company.  I hope to host again one day.
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What is a favorite classroom memory (something a child said to you, etc.)?

Definitely this memory jumps out…. during my docent training, I assisted in a kindergarten foil sculpture workshop. After the lesson, the kids went to action. One boy sat down and immediately balled up his allotted amount of tin foil…and was the first one up to have his sculpture (?) mounted on a base,to be proudly displayed. I said to him, “Aren’t you a fast worker”…he said, “I don’t like art”… I then replied, “Its quite the sculpture, what is it?”  He responds with…” Its a snow ball”.  I totally lost it!  Then I spent the better part of the next ten minutes, while waiting for other sculptures to be mounted, talking to this nearly five year old about art, snow, tin foil potential, and SNOWBALLS! Classic!!!

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What’s your favorite lesson you’ve given and why?

That’s easy, Fifth Grade, Lesson 4… American Portraiture.  The very last print, a black and one photograph, by Richard Avedon, 1981, The Beekeeper… Is THE BEST PRINT EVER!
The kids totally dig it. I think I can teach an entire lesson on this image alone!  Look it up… Trust me, you’ll either love it or hate it.

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What grade do you like best to teach and why?

Fifth grade… I make, or ask them to think. Really cool the thoughts we can pull out.
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Outside of Art Docents is there any interesting activities you may like to share with us?

Its more than an interest… Its my passion… As I mentioned above, I’m an art dealer and an owner of a local art gallery titled, JCO’s Place Fine Art, in downtown Los Gatos, located at 45 N. Santa Cruz…under the marquee of the Los Gatos Theatre.  I’ve been there for over three years.
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Most recently I have expanded my business to include a commercial/ART HAUS facility… 805 University Suite E, Los Gatos.  This new space is particularly exciting as its much larger than the gallery,and allows me and my staff to host events for the art docents,emerging artists, and community in general.

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My goal is to make everyone love,

collect or have passion for the ARTS.

jco's place

JCO IS JULIE JENKINS.

After working as an Art Dealer for over 14 years, Julie moved from the East Coast to Los Gatos & brought her passion for art with her.
When the perfect space became available and the right people got involved,
she couldn’t wait to sell some fabulously fine art!

www.jcosplace.com

Filed Under: Blog, Docent Spotlight

Docent Spotlight: Lilli Valencia

January 31, 2017 By Julie Ferrario

 

I feel honored and delighted to be highlighted as an Art Docent. This organization has been, and continues to be, a source of inspiration, learning opportunities and just good fun for me.

Now I’m thinking… “Where and when did my interest in art begin?”

I had some amazing teachers, the first being my Mom. She always encouraged us to make things. With whatever we had around the house. And she would drop whatever she was doing to help us find the materials we needed. And then gave us the freedom to just “go for it”. She also led by example, sketching, painting and taking photos. And, my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Graf, in her class we would work hard to earn points. These points added up to a ceramic green ware piece of our choosing that we got to clean and glaze. I worked so hard for that tiger figurine so I could give it to my Grandma for Christmas.

Learning how to appreciate art came a little later. In Jr High we took a field trip to an art museum in San Francisco. It was there that I encountered modern art. I still so vividly recall the very large rectangle, solid and glossy lavender leaning against the wall. Thinking, “This is art???” Not in a disparaging way, but curious. I just did not “get it”. Some Art Docent lessons would have served me well back then! Fortunately, I met an amazing woman and dear friend, Anita. I was living in Japan at the time and she took me under her wing. Anita loves and lives art. She taught me how to visit an art museum. Before, I had felt an obligation to stop and look at and try to understand… EVERY. SINGLE. PIECE. It felt heavy. Anita said, “Lilli, just look at the ones that catch your eye.” And then she gave me my first lessons in art appreciation. She taught me the vocabulary of art; she created a historical context for the art and the artists. My art light bulb was turned on!

Many years later, back in California, I was inspired to learn pottery making. I love working with clay. The heavy coolness, the “moldabilty” and the forgiving nature of the clay, appealed to me. Not to mention the anticipation during the wait of the final glaze firing. Having a general idea of how I hope the piece will turn out and yet, the letting go of expectations, knowing that it is out of my hands and the intertwined reactions of the clay, glaze and heat of the kiln will do what they will. Sometimes disappointment, but mor
e often than not it is 
more than I expected.

As we all know, “Things change.”

I was so lucky to marry my wonderful husband John. And we were blessed with our lovely children, Zach in 2004 and Julia in 2008. Free time to work with clay would have to wait. Life was chugging along.

Then, in July of 2010, I had a stroke. I could not use my right arm and my legs did not work properly. But the biggest thing that changed was my vision and perception. Walls that I “knew” should be straight were now arching over my head. My left eye was paralyzed. It was surreal.

During the most intense time of healing and rehabilitation I also had the luxury of time to simply reflect. Quite honestly, it was a gift. My life today is richer because of it.

Art fully entered my life again in 2013 when I was introduced to the Art Docents. This incredibly generous, warm and well organized group and the beautifully thoughtful people in it, have contributed so much to my own personal growth. Not only my ever-growing understanding of art, but also my confidence in public speaking and digging a little deeper to understand myself. A special “Thank You” to my training class and teachers!

And once again I am playing with my clay. I make little rocks out of clay. They are called Lillistones. Each handmade and unique I leave them out in the open as gifts, a little unexpected find. They have traveled the world. These little stones bring me such joy! From their creation, to their distribution, to hearing a story from a finder. Every single one of them has these words pressed into them, “say good, do good, be good”. Why these words? I believe they are powerful, simple and concrete. They cross all borders and need no explanation. They are my North Star.

Thank you for letting me share my story.

Sincerely, Lilli

Art Docent Class of 2013

Lilli valencia1

“Why these words?

I believe they are powerful, simple and concrete.

They cross all borders and need no explanation.

They are my North Star.”

…Lilli

Lillistones Website

 

Filed Under: Blog, Docent Spotlight

Docent Spotlight: Ellen O’Malley

January 10, 2017 By Julie Ferrario

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Art Docents are so lucky to have great volunteers who are so giving of their time and knowledge.

Ellen joined the Art Docents in 2014 and has served on the Curriculum Committee for the past two years.

Meet Ellen O’Malley, in her own words, as she answers some of our questions below.

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How does volunteering for the Art Docents compare to other volunteer experiences you’ve had?

The Art Docents is truly a special organization filled with creative, kind, and compassionate people working towards a common goal of providing school children a world class art education. What I’ve learned through the Art Docent program has also helped and inspired me to work with our school clay program.
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Here is a link to some of the fun clay projects the children do:
Van Meter Home & School Club Clay Program
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Below is a sample of one the videos Ellen has made for the Clay Program. 

https://youtu.be/lYluV1bo5l8

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Why did you become an Art Docent?

A couple of friends told me about the Art Docents. I was hooked when I saw how engaged the children are while studying art. I wish I had learned these concepts when I was in grade school. Having worked in the tech field for a while, it has been refreshing to volunteer as a docent at both my daughters’ schools. It’s also been very rewarding to inspire the next generation in art.

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What is a favorite classroom memory ?

The children love art and they get so excited when you show them a print of a masterpiece and they get to share what they see. Some of my favorite moments are when a very shy child or a child who is new to the English language feels compelled to share and express to the class what they see. Art is open to interpretation so all expressions are correct and the kids love that!

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What’s your favorite lesson you’ve given and why?

My favorite part about teaching a lesson is when a student observes something about the artwork like, “Wow look at how fuzzy the rug is,” and I’m able to add “You’re right. Look at the texture in the rug,” and then the rest of the class starts pointing out and discussing the concept of textures in art. You can just see the students observe and appreciate the art in a new way. It’s also fun when you show or tell the class something specific about artwork and the teacher says, “I didn’t know that!”.

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Describe a memorable experience with the Art Docents.

The Art Docents sure know how to have fun! They have great parties, private museum tours and many activities for the volunteers. One of my favorite activities was a sketchbook class taught by a very talented docent, Julie Ferrario. I learned new techniques and was inspired by seeing what the other docents created. I enjoyed sharing some “art time” with my daughter who also attended the class.

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Filed Under: Blog, Docent Spotlight

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17000 Roberts Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
1-408-335-2366
coordinator@artdocents.com
8:30 am - 3:00 pm

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