Avenue Vine

Supporting the educational component of SVMA’s mission, the ARTS program, coordinated for the 2007–08 academic year by Robyn Muscardini, emphasizes cultural diversity, professional art instruction, and art appreciation for youth. It encompasses a variety of activities.

In fall 2007, fourth- and fifth-graders from Dunbar, Sassarini, El Verano, Flowery, and Prestwood Elementary Schools received professional classroom instruction in a variety of art media. Student projects included piñatas, Chinese lanterns, flags, banners, gift wrap, parasols, sombreros, bead necklaces, Yoruba crowns, family portraits, May Day baskets, and table settings.

SVMA art instructors Jane Antee, Angela Casazza, Monica Cherry (former ARTS intern), Deborah Colotti, Diane Egger-Bovet, Jan Hansen, Natasha Jacobsen, Amanda Krauss, Cheryl Laube, Gayle Manfre, Rosemary McNeely, Gillian O’Donnell, Andrea Patri, and Elizabeth Tashman collaborated with Linda Yaven, associate professor at California College of the Arts, teachers, and administrators to design projects and lessons that supported classroom curricula. The resulting individual and group works will provide the majority of content for the “Celebrate” exhibition, along with selected pieces by students from Adele Harrison and Altimira Middle Schools, Sonoma Charter School, and The Presentation School.

Thirteen high-school students are working to design, install, and promote the exhibition. The 2007–08 ARTS interns are Jaime Aquilera, Shawna Bertlin, Rachel George, Sebastian Hall, Stephanie Lyon, Kate McFarland, Kyndra Menefee, Jordan Murgatroyd, Brett Rachuy, Soid Rodriguez, and Juliette Witous from Sonoma Valley High School, and Luis Rodriguez and Juan Sandoval from Archbishop Hanna High School.

Advised by SVMA mentors Peggy Feuer, Karen Glickman, Lucy Hamlyn, and Margaret Hatcher, the interns have been studying the principles of design, color, and installation techniques. Their coursework has included lectures by art and museum professionals and field trips to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Museum of the African Diaspora, Oakland Museum of California, and California College of the Arts. The interns have also assisted SVMA art instructors in the classroom and helped SVMA staff and volunteers assemble and dismantle other exhibitions.

The “Celebrate” exhibition will be on view at the museum, 551 Broadway, Sonoma, Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission will be free to the public.

On Sunday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum will host a free, anniversary-themed community day featuring live entertainment and art activities for children and adults.

The Educators’ Reception on Thursday, March 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. will give school district administrators and teachers a sneak preview of the ARTS exhibition. The members’ preview will follow immediately after, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. From March 31 through April 4, school groups will visit the exhibition and participate in a visual arts lesson.

The ARTS program is funded by donations from the Vadasz Family Foundation, Sonoma Plein Air Foundation, City of Sonoma, and Sonoma Valley Bank.

About the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art:
With more than 1,000 members, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art (SVMA) (www.svma.org, 707-939-7862) is the largest visual arts organization in the San Francisco North Bay region of Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Solano Counties. Founded in 1998, SVMA exhibits the work of local, national, and international artists such as Rodin, Rivera, Goya, and Picasso, to date staging 59 exhibitions attracting more than 100,000 visitors. SVMA is also the leading source of art education in the Sonoma Valley Unified School District, serving more than 5,000 students annually. Its education outreach includes school tours, an annual student art exhibition, high school internships, and adult art lectures and history courses. An entertainment series, social gatherings, and special events attract visitors from across the region. The museum occupies a state-of-the-art facility at 551 Broadway, just one-half block south of the historic Sonoma Plaza. Membership fees and donations to SVMA (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) are tax-exempt as permitted by law. The museum is open to the general public during exhibitions Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for individuals, $8 for families, free to the public on Sundays, and always free to members.

PHOTO CAPTIONS & CREDITS:
1. Lucy Hamlyn with students from Amber Kalcic's fourth grade class at Flowery prepare to decorate paper lanterns.
2. Lucy Hamlyn with students from Lydia Calderson's fourth grade class at Flowery work on a printmaking project.
3. Students from Laura Monterosse's fourth grade class at Sassarini made an assortment of hats.
(Photos by Christine Hansen, ARTS program photographer)

SONOMA, Calif.–February 28, 2008