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