Art Docents

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

Training Update – December 2016

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xmas-trainingAll 18 trainees are on point to graduate.  They have been working hard.
This class has observed more print presentations
and helped with more workshops than any other class.
This may also be the first class that has stayed together from start to finish.

Week Seven 
The Trainees came to class prepared with questions regarding
their homework assignment that introduced them to the
Committee Description & Selection form.
Executive board members visited expressing the organization’s needs,
and provided in depth descriptions of specific jobs.
They also shared the fulfillment received from volunteering
and being a part of an exciting, every growing organization.  
After break docent Stacey C taught the California Architecture
a 4th grade, January lesson, digital format.
Her presentation inspired a trainee to learn the digital format
for their final full print presentation.

Week Eight, Nine and Ten
Every minute of class time during the last three weeks are filled with K – 5th grade full print presentation.
This year a Full Print Evaluation Form was created. Each trainee receives a thorough critique from all three trainers.
This will not only make them aware of their strengths but also areas that may need improvement.  

Celebrations – The graduation class of 2016 will attend a Thank You Luncheon after their last class.
The luncheon is hosted by the trainers to show their appreciation to the trainees for their commitment, drive and desire.
They have truly been a remarkable class.  

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The entire docent organization will have the opportunity to
congratulate our newest members at the
Graduation/Holiday Luncheon on Tuesday, December 13th.
They are very excited to meet all of you.

Special Thanks!
———
The trainers want to thank
all the docents who helped us this year
with the training class.
We could not have done it without you.
Not once were we denied a request for help.
Our success, the trainees success would not have been possible
without our many hands working together.
Thank you so very much.
Your kindness was greatly appreciated.
Mary, Sue and Traci

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Training Update – November 2016

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Training Update – November 2016

Training Class Update –   The class continues to show their commitment, drive and desire. Proof in the pudding is all 18 are still with us after 6 weeks.  They’re eagerly learning from observing and helping seasoned docents. Many attended their first General Meeting and the Trainee mixer.

Week three the class broke up into small groups and presented a 5 min. single print. This was their first time in front of the class.  They got their nervousness out of the way and learned a great deal from each of the print presentations.

Week four Tabitha J. gave a full 3rd grade – Abstract Art lesson and Workshop.  Learning by example and participation is key to their training.  They all enjoyed the presentation and created beautiful abstract art.

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Week five was our field trip to Daves Avenue to watch Marisa D. (Class of 2016) teach a 2nd grade – Color & Value lesson.  When we returned discussion centered around her presentation and how it related to the homework – AD curriculum, classroom skills, and classroom preparation.  Trainees are not only learning from seasoned docents but from the open dialogue shared about what they observe.

Week six each trainee presented in class a single print for 5 mins. They were each given a grade level, specific visual art terms and a fine art print.  Each and everyone did a fantastic job.  They introduced themselves. Told us what grade they were presenting.  Then introduced the visual art terms with detailed explanations.  From there came the fine art print with three well prepared questions. They engaged the entire class, generated additional questions from answers given and even fielded off distractions with re-directions and composure.  At the end they beautifully recapped the visual art terms and thanked the class for their participation.  

President’s Letter: November 2016

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We have a lot to be thankful for.  As one of the most successful art groups in the Bay, The Art Docents of Los Gatos are committed to being the very best in all that we do. Through our focus on print presentations, community outreach and local partnerships, our collaborative and coordinated approach to art appreciation enables our members to work together and apply lessons and high levels of passion in the classroom to benefit the lives of our students. And through our personalized and enthusiastic approach to teach art, we continue to set the standard and raise the bar in making high quality educational programs, in a useful and relevant format.

Observe the 7th Graders in their Art Docent led Scientific Illustrations Class below

Support our program by purchasing tickets for our December 2016 event,“The Lights of Vasona”. On December 8, Thursday, 6:30-9pm, we are combining our love of art with a magical bus tour through the “Vasona Festival of Light”. Children’s sing-a-long bus and Art Tour bus will provide a great way to enjoy the holidays and our town’s magical sparkle.

The Lights of Vasona 

click here to buy your tickets

And visit us at the downtown Farmers Market on Sunday, November 20th, from 9-noon. We will have free art prints to giveaway, and crafts for children.

These highlights are just a few of the ways we transform art appreciation, improving the quality of education. These and other events reflect the excellent work we are doing across our district, and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to set the standard for how art education can best be delivered. We hope you enjoy our Newsletter, and we welcome your thoughts about our truly special program.

Sincerely,
Michelle Abene
President
Art Docents of Los Gatos

Continuing Education Roundup: Sept-Oct

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It’s been an exciting kick-off to the 2016 school year, and the Art Docents have hosted a variety of continuing education events where members learn, collaborate and connect.

Sketchbook Journaling
Our own Julie F. led a sketchbook journaling class in September at the Art Docent office. Junior Art Docents were included in this event, where members worked on their individual sketchbooks and watercolor masterpieces. Everybody enjoyed working together and sharing art experiences with each other.

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Beach Day
Beach Day was a big success with 13 people attending (including one trainee). We enjoyed gorgeous weather during yoga and a stroll on Twin Lakes State Beach in Santa Cruz, and the succulent gardens provided an opportunity for conversation and creativity.

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San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)
A group of Art Docents visited the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in downtown San Jose to tour the Connect and Collect Art Auction Exhibition. Connect & Collect is an ICA event that provides an opportunity for art enthusiasts and collectors “to view and purchase artwork by rising stars and celebrated artists whose work reflects the scope of the art world’s vibrant and eclectic styles and interests,” and includes paintings, photography, sculpture and mixed-media art from almost 200 artists.

 

Whitney Modern Art Gallery
On October 18th we were invited on a private tour of the Whitney Modern Art Gallery in downtown Los Gatos. This new gallery is owned by Suzanne Whitney Smedt and her artist husband, Gordon Smedt, who were also our featured guest speakers at the October general meeting. We were introduced to works by the seven artists represented by the gallery which included paintings, sculpture and photography.

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Pumpkin Decorating
We enjoyed a fun evening at the Art Docent office decorating pumpkins on October 20. Attendees, including Art Docents and Junior Art Docents, brought their own pumpkins and embellishments were supplied. It was a great way to get the Halloween season started!

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Docent Spotlight: Johanna Cunniff

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johannaDiscovering clay as a kindergartner in Toledo, OH, one could say it was love at “first feel.” I still have my first work, “Man in a Bathtub.” When I was in high school, my passion continued as I made a lot of ceramic animals and people. Scholastically, I earned my BA in Journalism with a minor in Art from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. My husband Jim and our three kids have lived in many places and have been exposed to some amazing cultures. We settled in Los Gatos in 2010 after living four years in Sydney, Australia.

I joined Art Docents of Los Gatos in 2011. Our two older kids are at University, and with our youngest at Los Gatos High School busy with school and extracurricular activities, I have been able to rekindle my creative fire. All it took was a spark being lit at a pottery class at Blossom Hill Crafts. Getting back into clay has been a challenge; however, after a while my muscle memory kicked in and I have been creating garden gnomes ever since. Each of the figures are unique and time consuming to craft, bisque, glaze and fire, but I couldn’t be happier making characters out of clay. As a Docent, I love working with the kids; especially, being in the kindergarten classroom with such creative, funny and enthusiastic students.

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