Sonoma Valley School District & Community Grants
2022-2023
Our 20th Anniversary Sonoma Plein Air Festival in September,2022 was a huge success thanks to the generosity of our wonderful Patrons, donors, artists and art aficionados. With the over $150,000 raised, the Foundation was able to fund grants for creativity development and arts education programs at many Sonoma Valley schools and through our community partners (Art Escape, Sonoma Arts Guild, Sonoma Community Center and Sonoma Valley Museum of Art). We are very excited to announce the following grants for the 2022-2023 school year.
Sassarini School
Sassarini School's 2022-23 SPAF Grant supports art classes for the 1st grade students. A local artist will provide art lessons covering art line, color, shape/form and texture. Each of the 8 lessons in the program will cover a specific project such as watercolors, collage, pastels, clay & glaze, color mixing and printmaking.
Sassarini School's 2022-23 SPAF Grant supports art classes for the 1st grade students. A local artist will provide art lessons covering art line, color, shape/form and texture. Each of the 8 lessons in the program will cover a specific project such as watercolors, collage, pastels, clay & glaze, color mixing and printmaking.
Sonoma Charter School
This year's Grant from Sonoma Plein Air Foundation(SPAF) will fund upgrades to the existing kiln room and the acquisition of supplies to support the addition of a Ceramics Art Program for the Sonoma Charter School students (grades TK thru 8th). In collaboration with the Sonoma Community Center ceramics department, the initial project of the program will be to create ceramic tiles that will be incorporated into murals around the school campus. Initial murals will focus on messages related to Art Matters and the World Pledge.
This year's Grant from Sonoma Plein Air Foundation(SPAF) will fund upgrades to the existing kiln room and the acquisition of supplies to support the addition of a Ceramics Art Program for the Sonoma Charter School students (grades TK thru 8th). In collaboration with the Sonoma Community Center ceramics department, the initial project of the program will be to create ceramic tiles that will be incorporated into murals around the school campus. Initial murals will focus on messages related to Art Matters and the World Pledge.
Woodland Star Charter School
The Woodland Star School's SPAF Grant provides funds for the integration of art throughout the curriculum for students in all grades ( Kindergarten through 8th). Their grant covers a range of art supplies which are utilized to support the Waldorf approach to arts education integration into a range of subjects. The emphasis is on the graphic arts, ie., drawing & painting but also extend into sculpting and the fiber arts.
The Woodland Star School's SPAF Grant provides funds for the integration of art throughout the curriculum for students in all grades ( Kindergarten through 8th). Their grant covers a range of art supplies which are utilized to support the Waldorf approach to arts education integration into a range of subjects. The emphasis is on the graphic arts, ie., drawing & painting but also extend into sculpting and the fiber arts.
Altamira Middle School and Adele Harrison Middle School
For the 2022-2023 school year at the 2 Middle Schools, SPAF Grants provide all the supplies needed for the visual arts education programs taught by Art Teacher, Cheryl Coldiron. Almost 200 students are being served at the two schools.
These visual arts programs are an introduction to art history and art appreciation where students learn to observe, analyze and interpret. Studying art teaches an appreciation of aesthetics, beauty, proportion, emotions and understanding of the human condition. All Middle School art lessons develop hands-on skills and visual literacy.
Cheryl Coldiron quote from the grant applications for the middle schools:
"The funding from SPAF allows students the opportunity to use consumable supplies, explore new lessons, and take field trips to see original art. It allows Middle School students of Sonoma Valley the opportunity to experiment with various mediums, explore different styles of world art and create multiple 2-D and 3-D art projects. Students tells us that creating art gives them a profound sense of success and self-fulfillment."
For the 2022-2023 school year at the 2 Middle Schools, SPAF Grants provide all the supplies needed for the visual arts education programs taught by Art Teacher, Cheryl Coldiron. Almost 200 students are being served at the two schools.
These visual arts programs are an introduction to art history and art appreciation where students learn to observe, analyze and interpret. Studying art teaches an appreciation of aesthetics, beauty, proportion, emotions and understanding of the human condition. All Middle School art lessons develop hands-on skills and visual literacy.
Cheryl Coldiron quote from the grant applications for the middle schools:
"The funding from SPAF allows students the opportunity to use consumable supplies, explore new lessons, and take field trips to see original art. It allows Middle School students of Sonoma Valley the opportunity to experiment with various mediums, explore different styles of world art and create multiple 2-D and 3-D art projects. Students tells us that creating art gives them a profound sense of success and self-fulfillment."
Creekside High School
Creekside High School's 2022-23 SPAF Grant supports 2 programs: 1) the art supplies needed for their Art Elective classes which will continue to work on a mural project on the school campus and 2) the Raku Clay classes held in conjunction with an artist at the Sonoma Community Center.
Creekside High School's 2022-23 SPAF Grant supports 2 programs: 1) the art supplies needed for their Art Elective classes which will continue to work on a mural project on the school campus and 2) the Raku Clay classes held in conjunction with an artist at the Sonoma Community Center.
Sonoma Valley High School
This year's SPAF grant to SVHS provides Art Program teachers Aaron Anderson, Andy Mitchell, Renate Kuprian, and Visual Arts instructor, Peter Hansen a much needed a range of supplies and equipment to support exciting hands-on experiences for their students in a range of programs from 3-D Design, to Drawing & Painting, to Photography to Graphic Design and the Video Arts. With this grant, these dedicated teachers will provide a creative outlet and a vibrant arts education experience for SVHS students.
Quotes from the SVHS grant application:
""Art keeps kids in school, too often young adults get lost in this world they do not feel a part of. In Art Classes at SVHS, students find their voices, new skills, passions, and inspiration...Our students are problem solvers, creative and our world's modern innovators."
(Aaron Anderson, Art/Art Design teacher)
"Students really get excited when they find out all the different media they can explore with and for this we are truly grateful."
(Renate Kuprian, Art/Art II teacher)
"Participating in art classes helps students learn who they are and see the world through the eyes of others...They get to dream, inspire and create. As we become more of a visual society, the arts are now more important than ever.'
(Andy Mitchell, Photography teacher)
This year's SPAF grant to SVHS provides Art Program teachers Aaron Anderson, Andy Mitchell, Renate Kuprian, and Visual Arts instructor, Peter Hansen a much needed a range of supplies and equipment to support exciting hands-on experiences for their students in a range of programs from 3-D Design, to Drawing & Painting, to Photography to Graphic Design and the Video Arts. With this grant, these dedicated teachers will provide a creative outlet and a vibrant arts education experience for SVHS students.
Quotes from the SVHS grant application:
""Art keeps kids in school, too often young adults get lost in this world they do not feel a part of. In Art Classes at SVHS, students find their voices, new skills, passions, and inspiration...Our students are problem solvers, creative and our world's modern innovators."
(Aaron Anderson, Art/Art Design teacher)
"Students really get excited when they find out all the different media they can explore with and for this we are truly grateful."
(Renate Kuprian, Art/Art II teacher)
"Participating in art classes helps students learn who they are and see the world through the eyes of others...They get to dream, inspire and create. As we become more of a visual society, the arts are now more important than ever.'
(Andy Mitchell, Photography teacher)
Art Escape
With their 2022-23 SPAF Grant, Art Escape will support 4 different art programs - 1 for 2-8 graders from all Sonoma Valley schools, 1 for Sonoma teens and 2 for students from El Verano and Flowery Elementary schools specifically.
With their 2022-23 SPAF Grant, Art Escape will support 4 different art programs - 1 for 2-8 graders from all Sonoma Valley schools, 1 for Sonoma teens and 2 for students from El Verano and Flowery Elementary schools specifically.
- The Friday After School Art program started in 2015 and attendance has grown over the years. Participants have the opportunity to experience a variety of art projects while meeting and interacting with students from across the Valley.
- Art in the City for Teens provides several Sonoma teens an opportunity to visit art venues in SF such as the Palace of the Legion of Honor. This year's grant will fund 2 trips. Here are a few comments from the teens visit to the Legion of Honor in November, 2021: "The trip was really fun and informative regarding art and art history." "My favorite part of today was walking around the museum. I loved it because of all of the different types of art we got to see." "This trip was cool and special. It was my first time going to the city and now I know how different it is from Sonoma."
- The El Verano School program continues the vision of former Principal Maite Iturri for a permanent beautification of the school's courtyard. In 2023, the students will paint designs on tiles during class and then participate in the design and installation of mosaics covering planters. The program provides exposure to Mexican culture and art while reflecting Mexican traditions and heritage.
- Flowery School students in grades 3-5 will attend afterschool art classes at Art Escape during the school year. This ongoing partnership in arts education introduces students to a variety of art mediums and techniques; projects are often related to current holidays so students also learn about other cultures and customs. Nutritious snacks at the beginning of every class are provided as the participating students are hungry & thirsty at the end of the school day.
Arts Guild of Sonoma
The 2022 SPAF Grant to the Arts Guild of Sonoma enables them to hold a student art show featuring public high and middle school students in the spring of 2023. The Arts Guild provides materials, hangs the paintings, displays the works for 30 days and staffs the gallery at no charge to students or their teachers. Students, their families and the Sonoma Valley community can then enjoy viewing these 'masterpieces'!
The 2022 SPAF Grant to the Arts Guild of Sonoma enables them to hold a student art show featuring public high and middle school students in the spring of 2023. The Arts Guild provides materials, hangs the paintings, displays the works for 30 days and staffs the gallery at no charge to students or their teachers. Students, their families and the Sonoma Valley community can then enjoy viewing these 'masterpieces'!
Sonoma Community Center
With their 2022 SPAF Grant, the Sonoma Community Center intends to provide a range of opportunities for the youth of Sonoma Valley to engage in creative & educational art activities.
With their 2022 SPAF Grant, the Sonoma Community Center intends to provide a range of opportunities for the youth of Sonoma Valley to engage in creative & educational art activities.
- Wednesday Afterschool Program will be offered weekly for children in grades K thru 8th. The arts and wellness program includes art classes, a movement session and a culinary class. By encouraging these 3 different forms of creative expression the program is designed to boost confidence, develop critical thinking skills, promote healthy bodies, foster empathy and improve overall well-being.
- Creative Summer Camps in the summer of 2023 is a series of 1 or 2 week art camps for up to 300 youth ages 6-17. The camps are taught by professional teaching artists and offer high-quality arts activities in a variety of creative disciplines. Curricula responds to state visual arts standards and helps children deepen their understanding of social, cultural and historic contexts through the exploration of artistic ideas and works.
- Art at the Market: Free art activities at the Tuesday Night Farmers' Market will once again be available in 2023. For the 5th year, SCC staff will provide instruction, tools, materials & space for fun and fulfilling hands-on art activities.
- In conjunction with the SV Mentoring Alliance, SCC will conduct Art and Trashion design classes . This structured afterschool activity provides around 130 mentees and their mentors opportunities to experience hands-on lessons in ceramics, fiber arts, collage, sustainable art and silk-screening. In addition, the SCC offers a structured 4 part after school program whose objective is to support mentees who want to design/model a 'trashion' costume in the Center's annual Trashion Fashion Show.
Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
Our 2022 SPAF Grant to the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art supports the Arts Rewards The Student (A.R.T.S.) program which is expanding to focus on 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in schools throughout the Valley. Utilizing experienced Teaching Artists, this program looks to provide around 8 hours of instruction to over 700 students in classrooms at participating SV public schools.
Their theme for this year's program is a continuation of the 2021-2022 theme of The Many Colors of Us: Exploring Diversity and Creating Connection Through Art. They will explore how art can connect people, build communities and help create a kinder, more tolerant world. Inspired by the SVMA exhibition, We Are Still Here, they plan to collaborate with some of the artists featured in that exhibit as well as representatives from the Coast Me-Wuk and Southern Pomo peoples to share their input, skills and knowledge with students.
Our 2022 SPAF Grant to the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art supports the Arts Rewards The Student (A.R.T.S.) program which is expanding to focus on 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in schools throughout the Valley. Utilizing experienced Teaching Artists, this program looks to provide around 8 hours of instruction to over 700 students in classrooms at participating SV public schools.
Their theme for this year's program is a continuation of the 2021-2022 theme of The Many Colors of Us: Exploring Diversity and Creating Connection Through Art. They will explore how art can connect people, build communities and help create a kinder, more tolerant world. Inspired by the SVMA exhibition, We Are Still Here, they plan to collaborate with some of the artists featured in that exhibit as well as representatives from the Coast Me-Wuk and Southern Pomo peoples to share their input, skills and knowledge with students.
