Kids Summer Art Program

This summer was our first ever summer art program and boy did it prove to be a great success! For our inaugural year, students traversed the globe by exploring the countries of Mexico, China, Israel, India, and Kenya. They completed take-home art projects like Mexican papeles picados and espejos, make-your-own-tortillas, Chinese origami paper lanterns and scratch art with chopsticks, Israeli challah bread braiding and decoration of Hamsa Hands, Indian mandala window cling art and traditional sand art, and finally African rain stick decorating and creation of Maasai warrior necklaces and bracelets from the country of Kenya. They learned from authentic people with life experience from each country about the culture and history of the different types of artistic expression found there and experienced some foods, a little bit of dance, and a whole lot of FUN! 

This wonderful program was coordinated and run by Tracy Branfman under the guidance of Claire Santellana of Crossroads Art House and assisted by our wonderful volunteers Ariana Tupa and Olivia Reynolds. Additional assistance in producing this exceptional camp was provided by the following individuals:

• Kris Ortiz (Santa Rita Market)- Papel picado and paper crafts
• Our Lady of Sorrows Ballet Folklorico- traditional Mexican dance
• Ventura's Tamales- Mexican snacks and tortilla dough
• Stephanie Carlson- handmade Challah bread and Hebrew cultural education
• Namrita Parikh- Indian sand art, henna tattoo art, and traditional Indian snacks 
• Shaina and Bryan Baira of Baira_Mvmnt_Phlosphy- Interpretive Theatre Movement activities