Davis schools treasure arts
Claudia Krich, a teacher at Willett Elementary School, works with Rebeca Engelhard, a member of the school’s chorus, which rehearses before school on Wednesday mornings. (Sue Cockrell/Enterprise photo)
By Jeff Hudson | Enterprise staff writer
Purchasing new instruments — and maintaining old ones — that are lent to local music students, so they can participate in orchestra or band. Organizing choral groups for kids at elementary campuses, so they learn to appreciate singing at an early age.
Supporting projects that put artists-in-residence directly in touch with local youngsters who get to help with an artistic endeavor, right at school. These are the kinds of programs supported by the Davis School Arts Foundation, which will host the fundraising Young at Art! Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Davis Art Center, 1919 F St.
Art activities include paper making, graffiti weave, origami, hat making, face painting, fish printing, button making, foam sculpture, time capsules, water colors, crayon resist, string art, clay, mask and fan making and friendship bracelets. The entry fee is $8 for adults and children over age 2, and includes all arts activities and performances.
All proceeds benefit the Davis School Arts Foundation. The foundation has been helping to support the arts in local schools since the group was organized in 1981. Foundation president Colleen Connolly realizes DSAF will mark its 30th anniversary next year — but for the moment, she's focused on what the foundation is doing this year. Projects include the foundation's Hershberger classroom grants, named after Patricia Hershberger, who led the foundation at the time it was launched.
For the current school year, some 30 such grants were awarded, representing a total of $8,100. These grants support in-class projects that included mask-making, ceramics, weaving and architecture, as well performing arts (dancing, school plays and musical groups participating in events like the Golden Empire Festival).
This year the foundation also launched a new effort aimed at elementary school students, the Harmony-Brunelle Choir program. This brings together funds raised by the annual Harmony in Our Lives concert (organized by the West Valley Chorus, a Davis-Dixon barbershop harmony group), the Richard Brunelle Choral Fund (named after the late music teacher who did much to advance the music program at Davis High School) and the foundation's general fund.
The effort provided $1,000 to each elementary campus in the Davis school district in support of nonauditioned choirs. “We do understand about donor fatigue, what with the economy, and many nonprofit groups seeking funds,” Connolly said. “But even smaller donations help us make a splash.”
To donate, visit http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/go/dsaf/homepage.html, e-mail dsaf@dcn.davis.ca.us or mail checks to Davis School Arts Foundation, P.O. Box
4203, Davis, CA 95617.
This article originally appeared in the Davis Enterprise March 3, 2010. The complete story is available to subscribers at http://www.davisenterprise.com.
