Art Docents

Bringing art to the children of the Los Gatos Union School District

Docent Spotlight: Kathie Gaylord

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Kathie Gaylord…an active Art Docent for 31 years!

“I have loved being an Art Docent and going into the classroom.
I really get a kick out of the kids.  And of course in kindergarten
you are never sure what they are going to come up with!”

Kathie Gaylord 2015Ready to teach an Art Docent Presentation!
2015

1986 was Kathie’s first year with the Art Docents of Los Gatos!

Wow were we lucky to have such a dedicated volunteer
and really nice person join our organization.
Currently she is serving on the Library committee.

Please take a minute to read below a few questions she answered for our Spotlight!

Why did you become an art docent?

I had an art history minor in college.   Love sharing art with the kids.

What event has been your favorite?

Probably the art show.   Amazing to see all the artwork we gather.  Our kids are great!

What is a favorite classroom memory?

I now have two granddaughters at Van Meter.  So fun to present in their class.  Also I also go into one of the classes that is taught by a girl who went to school with my daughter. Very special.

What grade do you like best to teach and why?

I taught pre-school at Green Hills for quite a few years and I love that age group so kindergarten is my favorite grade.

What’s your favorite lesson you’ve given and why?

I get a kick out of doing the foil animals in kindergarten.  So fun to see what the kids come up with.

Describe a memorable experience with the Art Docents

Years ago we used to have a fundraiser with dinner and a silent auction.  I lot of people from the community joined us.  Was a great way to let the community know what we were doing and it was a lot of fun. I miss it.

What do you like best about being an Art Docent?

I have loved being an Art Docent and going into the classroom.  I really get a kick out of the kids.  And of course in kindergarten you are never sure what they are going to come up with!

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Holiday Luncheon 2009
Kathie Gaylord 2007
Holiday Luncheon 2014
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Volunteering at our Art Show! 2016

 

Thank you Kathie Gaylord for your dedication and friendship!

President’s Letter: April 2017

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Spring has sprung, and the Art Docents of Los Gatos gear up for March Madness, or as we say, Mulch Madness. This Spring Fundraiser will help fund digital technology workshops and training. Check out how you can order Mulch, Compost and Planters mix to be delivered to your doorstep. While beautifying your home with organic material, support the docents. Also, please go to Amazon Smile: when you sign up to support the Art Docents of Los Gatos, we get a percentage of purchases, free to you.

Up and coming is also our extraordinary Annual Student Art Show, from May 1-5, in the Fisher Multi Purpose Room/ Cafeteria. Also coming is our Chocolate Dessert Night sponsored by the Art Docents and LGEF on April 28, in the Fisher MRP, Friday evening from 6-7:30. Do you like chocolate, art and music? If so, sign ups are here……. 2016-17 LGEF Donor Night of Art, Chocolate and Music.

Finally, we hope to see you at the Mothers Day Italian Jewelry Party on May 11, and our next Movie/ Book Club evening.

It has been my honor and privilege serving the Art Docents of Los Gatos as President. Thank you for your kind generosity, enthusiasm and support.

Best,
Michelle Abene
President Art Docents of Los Gatos

President’s Letter: March 2017

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The Art Docents lead creatively, enthusiastically, positively, patiently, and incredibly on so many levels. While we volunteer to teach art, our amazing supporters provide us with the necessary funds. Thank you LGEF, local community grants, donations and contributions. With the passage of Prop 13, which cut local tax revenues for public schools and virtually eliminated arts programs, the Art Docents of Los Gatos, was created to fill the need. We exist due to the continuous strong support!. We believe teaching Art appears to significantly awaken and nurture children’s freedom through artistic expression. Ask any one of our students what they think of Art Docents! You will be happy to hear what they say!

We have fun FUNdraising, too. This month, please go to our Mulch Madness link, and buy organic compost or mulch to beautify your property and garden in Los Gatos. The proceeds support our program. The prices and quality are significantly BETTER than what you would find in stores.

Click here to order:Mulch Madness

Thank you!
Michelle Abene
President Art Docents of Los Gatos

 

Docent Spotlight: Julie Jenkins

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Julie Jenkins has been an active Art Docent since 2010,
she has been a Trainer & currently is a member of
our Board of Directors.Julie Jenkin

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Why did you become an art docent?

Our family relocated to Los Gatos from Boston in 2010. I have two awesome kids Tatum (10th grade LGHS) and Trey (8th grade Fisher), and an equally awesome husband, BJ Jenkins. OH… can’t forget… Two mini poodle children as well… Joey (3) and Scarlet (1).
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We enrolled our children in Blossom Hill.  At that time there was no district art teacher… I heard at the parent open house,that other than the art docent lead lessons, that could possibly be the only exposure to art my kids could have.
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Being an art dealer myself a saw the need to get involved, and have never looked back.

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How does volunteering for the Art Docents compare to other volunteer experiences you’ve had?

Most other volunteering posts are not child orientated. I thoroughly enjoy working with the kids. They just LOVE when we walk in the door.  It’s fun to make them think and have/share their opinions…as most of what they do in school has a right or wrong answer.Also have formed incredible,  lasting relationships with the teachers, staff and principles.
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Priceless!
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2013.12.06 Training Graduation Fundraising working

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What event has been your favorite?

I loved the Vasona “Festival of Lights”, bus tour fundraiser in 2015.  It was an incredible experience being the pre-party host.  We all enjoyed fine wines and fantastic company.  I hope to host again one day.
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What is a favorite classroom memory (something a child said to you, etc.)?

Definitely this memory jumps out…. during my docent training, I assisted in a kindergarten foil sculpture workshop. After the lesson, the kids went to action. One boy sat down and immediately balled up his allotted amount of tin foil…and was the first one up to have his sculpture (?) mounted on a base,to be proudly displayed. I said to him, “Aren’t you a fast worker”…he said, “I don’t like art”… I then replied, “Its quite the sculpture, what is it?”  He responds with…” Its a snow ball”.  I totally lost it!  Then I spent the better part of the next ten minutes, while waiting for other sculptures to be mounted, talking to this nearly five year old about art, snow, tin foil potential, and SNOWBALLS! Classic!!!

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What’s your favorite lesson you’ve given and why?

That’s easy, Fifth Grade, Lesson 4… American Portraiture.  The very last print, a black and one photograph, by Richard Avedon, 1981, The Beekeeper… Is THE BEST PRINT EVER!
The kids totally dig it. I think I can teach an entire lesson on this image alone!  Look it up… Trust me, you’ll either love it or hate it.

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What grade do you like best to teach and why?

Fifth grade… I make, or ask them to think. Really cool the thoughts we can pull out.
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Outside of Art Docents is there any interesting activities you may like to share with us?

Its more than an interest… Its my passion… As I mentioned above, I’m an art dealer and an owner of a local art gallery titled, JCO’s Place Fine Art, in downtown Los Gatos, located at 45 N. Santa Cruz…under the marquee of the Los Gatos Theatre.  I’ve been there for over three years.
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Most recently I have expanded my business to include a commercial/ART HAUS facility… 805 University Suite E, Los Gatos.  This new space is particularly exciting as its much larger than the gallery,and allows me and my staff to host events for the art docents,emerging artists, and community in general.

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My goal is to make everyone love,

collect or have passion for the ARTS.

jco's place

JCO IS JULIE JENKINS.

After working as an Art Dealer for over 14 years, Julie moved from the East Coast to Los Gatos & brought her passion for art with her.
When the perfect space became available and the right people got involved,
she couldn’t wait to sell some fabulously fine art!

www.jcosplace.com

Artist demo: Jennifer Lashbrook

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The Art Docents of Los Gatos were treated to a demo by Dallas artist Jennifer Lashbrook and her “Swatch Paintings” at JCO’s Place in February. Lashbrook creates collages using paint swatches that she gets by the forklift load. Through an extensive process of sorting by value and hue, she builds a palette for her pixelated images using squares of color fixed with rubber cement and clear acrylic onto gridded panels. This series at JCO’s were all famous, recognizable images from art history, and part of the fun is the process of recognition, but she also does landscapes and portraits which can be seen on her website .

For more information on the event and photos, click here.

Hours & Info

17000 Roberts Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
1-408-335-2366
coordinator@artdocents.com
8:30 am - 3:00 pm

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