Dreaming in Rhythm
John Kloss shared his amazing tapping talent with the audience as a guest performer this past Saturday during Bright Lights Big Dreams, Bay Area Youth Talent Search. John was thrilled to be involved with the event as he works with his own non-proft organization Stepology working to “enhance the understanding and appreciation of tap”.
John is also working on another big project that you can help with. Dreaming in Rhythm is a an “all or nothing” campaign fundraiser through USA Projects. The goal is to raise $12,199 by March 3 to “cover bare-bones expenses for artist/creator/performers, sets/supplies, lighting/audio equipment, and costumes.” Dreaming in Rhythm premieres August 17, 2013 in San Francisco at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre in conjunction with the annual Bay Area Tap Festival. Visit the site to donate now.
Here is a video with John explaining the event himself. 
Way behind the scenes with Robyn Winslow
We have an elf at Starting Arts. Actually a team of elves! Our scene shop has been buzzing recently with set builds for Fame and Alice and Wonderland. Once Mike Wozniak flexes his set construction muscles prepping the “canvases”, Robyn Winslow shows off her amazing talents making brick textures, topiaries and silvery moons that take you from a theatre in San Jose to Wonderland, a New York High School and beyond.
Take a peek at the gallery below and if you’d like to see these sets in person, check out the Upcoming Shows page for ticket information and show details. Two shows are happening this week!
FAME
Presented by Burnett Middle School
850 North 2nd Street in San Jose
December 6 & 7 at 6:30 pm
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Presented by James Franklin Smith Elementary School
2220 Woodbury Lane in San Jose
December 6, 7 at 6:30 pm and Dec 8 at 1:30 and 6:30.
School Board Candidate Voter Guide
At Starting Arts we want to provide up to date information on arts education in the community. The California Alliance for Arts Education has conducted a School Board Candidate Voter Guide on arts education. This is a great opportunity for you to see if your local candidates support arts education.
– Ann Watts
Executive Director, Starting Arts
Thanks to the hard work of our network of local advocates and partner organizations, the California Alliance for Arts Education is pleased to bring voters the information they need to identify candidates who will stand up for arts education. Local school board candidates were invited to respond to four questions about funding, policy and their personal experience with the arts. Scroll down this page to read the responses we received from candidates in over sixty local races. To learn more about the project, click here. Read, share, vote!
11/06/12: Alameda Unified School District
11/06/12: Albany Unified School District
11/06/12: Alum Rock Union Elementary School District
11/06/12: Anaheim City School District
11/06/12: Anaheim Union High School District
11/06/12: Berkeley Unified School District
11/06/12: Cambrian School District
11/06/12: Campbell Union High School District
11/06/12: Capistrano Unified School District
11/06/12: Capitola City Council
11/06/12: Castro Valley Unified School District
11/06/12: Centralia School District
11/06/12: Cypress School District
11/06/12: Dublin Unified School District
11/06/12: East Side Union High School District
11/06/12: Escondido Union School District
11/06/12: Fountain Valley School District
11/06/12: Franklin-McKinley School District
11/06/12: Fremont Unified School District
11/06/12: Fresno Unified School District, Area 2
11/06/12: Fresno Unified School District, Area 6
11/06/12: Fullerton Joint Union, High School District
11/06/12: Garden Grove Unified School District
11/06/12: Grossmont Union High School District
11/06/12: Hayward Unified School District
11/06/12: Huntington Beach City School District
11/06/12: Huntington Beach Union, High School District
11/06/12: Irvine Unified School District
11/06/12: La Habra City School District
11/06/12: La Mesa Spring Valley School District
11/06/12: Laguna Beach Unified School District
11/06/12: Los Gatos Saratoga Joint Union High School District
11/06/12: Lowell Joint School District
11/06/12: Magnolia Elementary School District
11/06/12: Manchester Union Elementary School District
11/06/12: Milpitas Unified School District
11/06/12: Moreland Elementary School District
11/06/12: Mountain View Whisman School District
11/06/12: New Haven Unified School District
11/06/12: Oakland Unified School District 3
11/06/12: Oakland Unified School District 5
11/06/12: Oakland Unified School District 7
11/06/12: Ocean View School District
11/06/12: Orange Unified School District
11/06/12: Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Area 6
11/06/12: Saddleback Valley Unified School District
11/06/12: San Diego Unified School District
11/06/12: San Jose Unified School District
11/06/12: San Lorenzo Unified School District
11/06/12: San Marcos Unified School District
11/06/12: Santa Ana Unified School District
11/06/12: Santa Clara Unified School District
11/06/12: Santa Cruz City Council
11/06/12: Santa Cruz City School District, Area 1
11/06/12: Santa Cruz County Supervisor
11/06/12: Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
11/06/12: Scotts Valley Unified School District
11/06/12: State Assembly District 11
11/06/12: State Assembly District 13
11/06/12: State Assembly District 15
11/06/12: State Assembly District 20
11/06/12: State Senate District 1
11/06/12: State Senate District 13
11/06/12: State Senate District 19
11/06/12: State Senate District 23
11/06/12: State Senate District 25
11/06/12: State Senate District 27
11/06/12: State Senate District 33
11/06/12: State Senate District 9
11/06/12: Sweetwater Union High School District, Seat 2
11/06/12: Sweetwater Union High School District, Seat 4
11/06/12: Tustin Unified School District
Reality shows aren’t all bad! (Warning – Scary Images)
I have been excited for a show called Halloween Wars on Food Network, where a cake designer, sculptor, and sugar artist team up to compete for a $50,000 prize. I will admit that my interest is heightened by the fact that an old high school friend of mine and amazing sculpture artist, Andy Bergholtz, is in the competition and is getting to show his very awesome talent on a national stage!
In my opinion, I think these reality shows are amazing advocacy tools. The artists featured in them are often struggling to receive recognition for their amazing talents, and showing them competing together is true entertainment! With the proliferation of singing competitions, dancing competitions, and even the megahit sitcom like Glee, the Arts are finally in a position of mass appeal equal to or possibly surpassing dating and physical competition shows, a real triumph!
If you haven’t already checked out the shows below, make an effort to set your DVR or even try to grab episodes from the internet. More than likely you’ve heard of a few of them, but perhaps some will be a new and welcomed discovery.
Music
American Idol on Fox
The Voice on NBC
Sing Off on NBC
Theatre
Hot Set on SyFy
Face Off on SyFy
Visual Arts
Project Runway on Lifetime
Halloween Wars on Food Network
Fashion Star on NBC
Dance
Dancing with the Stars on ABC
So You Think You Can Dance on Fox
Preparing Kids for Live Arts Events
When I was in 6th grade, my school took a field trip to the Center for Performing Arts in downtown San Jose to see a performance. I remember feeling like this was the first time I had truly been given the responsibility of being a respectful audience member; I was expected to know better than to talk or eat or put my feet up on the chair in front of me during a performance. And something as simple as knowing when to clap went a long way. I was in a row full of middle school kids, so if you clapped when nobody else in the audience was clapping, it brought on a chorus of laughter at your expense. Luckily, my parents had been taking me to theater productions, concerts, The Nutcracker, and other live events for years. I knew what to expect and what was expected of me and that made me feel proud.
Live arts events can be a really positive experience for kids. When a child knows how to behave and what to expect it takes away the child’s anxiety about trying something new and let’s them soak up the culture in a carefree and exciting way; it makes the experience more enjoyable for the child, the parent, and the stranger sitting next to them who paid $100 for his seat and doesn’t want to be distracted by a texting 12 year old.
If you’re nervous about taking your child to their first live arts event, The Kennedy Center has put together some great tips on what to do before, during, and after the event that will make it a well-rounded, enriching experience.
Advice for First-Time Theater Goers
A Parents’ Field Guide to Museums
A Parents’ Field Guide to the Ballet
A Parents’ Field Guide to the Symphony
Arts Encourage Positive Behaviors and Characteristics
Parenting can be a very dynamic task filled with copious amounts of problem solving, care taking, reflection, trial and error and most of all, lots and lots of social modeling. Most desire well-adjusted, positive children who can communicate, cooperate, and create. Certain positive behaviors are difficult for parents to foster alone. Interactions outside of the home with role models, educators, coaches, and peers are just as influential (or sometimes more influential) than parents. Enter the Arts… Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts can provide a rich source for parents to foster positive behaviors and characteristics.
These include but are not limited to: Pride, Focus, Finesse, Passion, Dexterity, Tolerance, Inspiration, Confidence, Commitment, Spatial Acuity, Physical Health, Improved Memory, Collaborative Skills, Healthy Risk-Taking, Problem-Solving Abilities, and Communication Proficiency.
Related Sources worth investigating more:
How the Arts Unlock the Door to Learning By Mariko Nobori
10 Lessons the Arts Teach from the National Art Education Association.
10 Ways Art is Fundamental to Education by Jen Van’t Hul of The Artful Parent. Article on page 39.
VA Friday – Spaces for Encouraging Creativity
One key to encouraging creativity with kids (and adults) is to provide an accessible, welcoming place for creativity. This is easier said than done when space is limited, or there is no good place for “messes” to happen aside from the kitchen. Here are a few ideas to create this type of environment in your home.
Have a Multi-Functional Table
Having a table that is easily cleanable, that you don’t mind getting stained or damaged, and that has functionality is important for a creative space. The Norberg drop leaf table at IKEA is quite possibly the best option for a creative table if floor space is limited. The fold-away feature also allows space for other Arts activities like dancing, acting, and playing instruments or making music.
Norberg Table in action in a creative play space.
Organize art supplies
Sort material by type in to bins, cups and/or pockets . Recycling or re-purposing is always a great option to save money and be green.
Can Organizer: from HGTV
Shoe Organizer for Art Supplies
Facilitate and Guide
And finally, don’t be shy about your reluctance to create. Most of the time, kids will create on their own, and the adult just needs to provide supervision, materials, and encouragement. Read more about facilitating creativity in this fabulous post by TinkerLab with 50 tips on making art with children. This post is a wonderful collection of answers from parents and experts to the following questions:
1) What do you wish you had known about making art with children?
2) What tips do you have for parents who are just starting out?
While you’re at it, learn more about Rachelle and gather more great advice on TinkerLab.
Back to School Survival
Labor day weekend is upon us. Summer’s last hurrah. 3 days of bbqs, parades, and enjoying outdoor activities with our friends and family. Labor Day not only celebrates the achievements of American workers, it is also a very real reminder that school is back in session. So savor this 3 day weekend because care free summer living (and wearing white) will be gone by Tuesday.
I don’t mean to sound ominous, I just want you to be prepared. We have some pretty amazing parents whose kids participate in Starting Arts programs and we want you to know that we’re on your side. In fact, here’s a helpful infographic to make living with a child of the 21st century a little easier:
While most of the info is LOL-worthy there are some nuggets of truth that I’m sure your children will appreciate. You can be that cool parent that says B-T-Dubs…just try not to cringe while you say it.
For those of you out there with kids who can’t make it through the school day without leaping to their locker or doodling on their math syllabus, Starting Arts is here to help! The Starting Arts Studios offer dance, music, and visual art classes everyday after school. Whether it’s your little one who needs to get her wiggles out after sitting in a classroom all day or your teenager who needs to brush up on his tap skills for school play auditions, we have something for all ages and skill levels!
Check out our full class descriptions, schedules, and enrollment Here. Between using the tips in the survival guide and enrolling your child in Starting Arts classes after school, your kids will definitely nominate you for parent of the year. Well, maybe they won’t go that far, but there will definitely be less eye rolling in your house…and that’s a win!
Enrollment closes tonight! Enroll Now!
An Artistic Life
A guest post by Starting Arts photographer Renee Jankowski
I have always had a love of art and a desire to fill myself up with as much knowledge as possible. I have traveled across the globe in search of all things beautiful. I saved up my money
several times and took myself to Europe to just study the art on the walls, to soak up all of the color and beauty that the artists before me had left behind. I studied with Martin Vaugel, a monumental sculptor, to study figure sculpting in France for a month and just loved every minute there. I have studied dance, painting, sculpting and now my passion is the visual art of photography. I hope to take all that I have been exposed to and do something with it in the photographic art form. I guess you could say I am a Renaissance woman! I am a life long student of the arts.
I have always worked in the arts in some capacity. I spent time in Los Angeles working for Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, Culver Studios, The Academy Awards, sitcoms and commercials.All of those experiences were great, but my most memorable job experience was working as a scenic artist on the tv show “Babylon Five.” It was a show that my mom and I loved to watch. There is nothing quite as exciting as getting the opportunity to work on one of your favorite shows! I would call my mom at lunch and tell her which character was sitting next to me…”Yep, I have the best job in the world! I am eating lunch with the aliens!”
At that time in my life, I also had the privilege of working at Walt Disney Imagineering for two years on one of the theme park rides: Sinbad Tokyo. That was the most amazing experience I have had in my career. Getting the chance to work next to incredibly talented artist of all genres; Designers, sculptors, painters and fabricators. I also had a peek into some of the most cutting edge technologies at that time… very top secret stuff and we were sworn to secrecy. What I really loved about working there was the opportunity to take free art classes and get lab experience (of course I went to every free thing I could get my hands on!). I took life drawing classes next to some of the top illustrators at Walt Disney and I have always cherished the time I spent there.
When I moved to San Jose to be with my husband, I wondered if I would be able do creative work here. Then, I started working at American Musical Theatre and fell in love with theatre! I had never really been exposed to the theatre. While working at AMT, I became pregnant for the first time and was so thrilled to be exposed to such love and support. I brought my babies to work with me and I just feel so privileged to have been able to keep my girls close to me for the first year. Having the best boss in the world helps! Thank you John Draginoff! Every time I see Amy with her child it brings back found memories for me.
Now that I am a mother, my approach to the arts is different only in the amount of time I dedicate to the arts. I am trying to be a good mother to my girls and still live a creative life. Sometimes I bring them along and, whether or not they decide to be artists, I hope that it will open their eyes to the beautiful world around them. ” You do not have to live in a castle to live like a Queen” and I hope they see that.
I know am a very lucky person to have had such wonderful opportunities and I am just getting started on the second half! I leaped before I was ready and I have always said yes to projects that scared me, you can’t wait for a “perfect time” to start something. The arts bring joy to so many and being an artist is a gift I hope not to waste.
-Renee Jankowski, Renee Rocket Photography
To see Renee’s photos from Starting Arts shows visit the Starting Arts Photo Store
VA Friday – Talavera Style Suns
Get in to the mood for summer with this fun painting lesson. 
A little background from Wikipedia:
“Talavera is a type of majolica earthenware, distinguished by its white base glaze. Authentic Talavera pottery only comes from the city of Puebla and the communities of Atlixco, Cholula and Tecali, Mexico as the clays needed and the history of this craft are both centered there.
All pieces are hand-thrown on a potter’s wheel and the glazes contain tin and lead, as they have since colonial times. There are only six permitted colors: blue, yellow, black, green, orange and mauve, and these colors must be made from natural pigments. ” Full article here.
Talavera Style Suns
for ages 5 and up.
Lesson Materials:
White paper (watercolor preferred) 11″x11″ or a close size, pencil, black sharpie, watercolor paints in blue, yellow, black, green, orange and red. Liquid watercolors are very nice, but solid cake oval pans work well too.
Lesson Directions:
1. Begin by drawing a small circle in the middle of the paper. This will define the size of the sun face.
2. Draw facial features inside the circle. (almond shaped eyes, lips, nose made by drawing parenthesis with small dots for nostrils.)
3. Draw a large wavy shape around the face close to the edge of the paper. Draw lines to section off areas.
4. Fill each section with patterns, flower motifs, swirls, and/or leaf shapes. After sketch is done, trace over all pencil lines with Sharpie marker.
5. Paint with watercolor paints making sure to limit the pallet to the “permitted” colors. If the children are young, or may not understand a limited pallet, simply pop the unwanted colors out of the watercolor pallet, or don’t make certain colors available.
*To get mauve, kids should use a little dab of red and a tiny dot of blue mixed with a lot of water to make it pastel. If that color is still too purple, add a bit of orange to make it more neutral.
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