Art for Kids Every Saturday

For all of you who seem to be concerned about the kids in my program, I would like to shed a bit of light on your interest. Over nine years ago I saw that the art programs at the schools in the area were going away or needed some help.

I started the program with one student. Together he and I began painting .

The program has grown since then and produced a number of success stories. Next year one of the kids is going to San Francisco State University to study art history.

Her community service with the art kids and her being on the board of the Contemporary Art Museum helped her get accepted and also some financial aid.

There are a number of others I can write about but let's get back to the program. Classes are year-round every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The classes are free and for the first time in these nine years I have asked for some help. I am asking the parents to pay $100 per year for materials fee. The average student goes through $400 to $500 per year in materials.

Where do we get the extra money to pay for the materials? I fund it myself. I believe in the kids and their need for art. Art is very therapeutic and it has helped a number of the students come out of their shells.

It is a way that they can communicate to the outside world and also express their creativity. Sometimes I work with the kids on projects where we earn money. The money I earn goes right back into the program for more needed materials. Sometimes people or companies donate materials.

When that happens I use them for the kids and if there are more materials than needed by the kids then I share them with other art organizations and artists.

If one is truly interested in the program and how it works then you are welcome to join us on a Saturday for the class. We are located in Chula Vista at the J Street Marina.

The address is 550 Marina Parkway behind the Galley Restaurant. Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.