Once upon a time, in the sparkling sunshine of California, where the palm trees sway gently to the rhythm of the ocean breeze and the mountains stand tall with their majestic beauty, was a vibrant tribe of tiny artists known as the 'Sketching Sunchasers'. These weren't your run-of-the-mill kiddos! No sir-ee, they were a lively bunch of little Picassos, with pencils for wands and papers for magic carpets. Their drawings would come alive with vibrant colors that would put the most exquisite sunset to shame. They weren't just drawing; they were sketching their dreams on a canvas of infinite possibilities. Heading this extraordinary brigade was an imaginary character named Doodle Dude, a pencil with a cowboy hat and a bewitching grin. Doodle Dude was no ordinary pencil, his graphite tip was sharpened not just to sketch, but also to tickle out giggles and laughter from everyone. He had a contagious and a spontaneous sense of humor so powerful that even the grumpiest of grizzly bears couldn’t resist chuckling. With his unmatchable wit, Doodle Dude would often entertain the Sunchasers with puns and silly jokes. "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! Got it? They 'make up' everything!" he'd chuckle at his own joke while the children laughed, rolling around in the California grass. And so, in the golden state of California, under the ever-watchful eye of the sun, the Sketching Sunchasers and their beloved Doodle Dude painted their dreams, giggled, and made memories that were as warm and radiant as the Californian sun itself. Life was one big, beautiful sketchpad!
Read morebest drawing-sketching programs in Oakland, CA
What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.
In 1988, Jill Vialet and Mary Marx co-founded MOCHA, an organization that brings innovative arts education programs to East Bay schools and communities. Through their work, MOCHA has been able to reach children in vulnerable communities, in public and private schools, in libraries, and at the Oakland-based studios and gallery. MOCHA works with artists, educators, parents, and students to use the power of art as a learning tool. Arts education is essential for young people’s social, emotional, and cultural growth. In the years since its inception, MOCHA has provided hands-on art learning experiences to nearly one million children. Through its programs, MOCHA has seen the positive effects art can have on children’s creativity, cognitive development, and sense of community.
Rock Paper Scissors Collective is a unique nonprofit organization that encourages creativity and collaboration to help strengthen local communities. Through workshops, events, exhibitions, and retail of independently produced goods, RPSC promotes the sharing of ideas, skills, and resources. The organization also works to explore alternative models through non-hierarchical, consensus-based organizing. All activities are led by members and volunteers, and the organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. RPSC's mission is to celebrate art, craft, education, and performance by offering low-cost creative workshops and a variety of community events. These activities are designed to engage and empower youth in the community, as well as encourage sustainable creative practices. Rock Paper Scissors Collective provides an invaluable service to local communities. It's an organization that brings together members and volunteers to foster creativity and collaboration. Through their unique approach to non-hierarchical, consensus-based organizing, they are able to provide a safe and inspiring space for people to share ideas, skills, and resources. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, RPSC is dedicated to encouraging sustainable creative practices and exploring alternative models.
It is with this spirit that Temple Beth Abraham (TBA) is proud to endorse the Committee on Jewish Laws and Standards’ December 6, 2006 decision to permit Conservative rabbis to perform commitment ceremonies and allow the ordination of gays and lesbians. We also enthusiastically support the USCJ’s decision to revise its hiring policies and consider applicants for United Synagogue jobs regardless of sexual orientation. At TBA, we strive to create a synagogue community in which all members and visitors feel welcome and included. We are dedicated to providing an environment where everyone can come together in prayer and study, in celebration and grief, in joy and in sorrow. We look forward to continuing to provide this welcoming atmosphere for all of our members and visitors.
Junior Center of Art and Science Summer Camp is the perfect place for rising 1st-8th graders to express their creative side. Our camp is led by professional artists and educators who provide a safe, open, and creative environment for campers to take risks and explore. Campers will have the opportunity to try their hand at a variety of arts and science activities, such as carpentry, game design, comics, and more. They'll be able to express themselves through art and science while having fun in the process. At Junior Center of Art and Science Summer Camp, we offer full day, arts-integrated engagements for young artists, makers, and thinkers. Our campers will be able to explore their creativity and learn to take risks in a safe and encouraging atmosphere. Professional artists and educators provide an open space for campers to engage in activities such as carpentry, game design, comics, and much more. Campers are able to have fun and express themselves through a variety of mediums. Junior Center of Art and Science Summer Camp is the perfect place for rising 1st-8th graders who want to explore their creative side. Our campers will be able to take risks and try their hand at a wide variety of arts and science activities in a safe and open environment. Professional artists and educators are on hand to provide guidance and inspiration. Campers will have the opportunity to engage in activities such as carpentry, game design, comics, and more, allowing them to have fun and explore their creativity.
At Peralta Hacienda Historical Park in Oakland's Fruitvale, we strive to bring people together to understand, celebrate, and appreciate the diverse cultures that have been and continue to be part of California's vibrant identity. Our goal is to foster greater equity, environmental resilience, and a sense of belonging for all. Through our exhibits, events, and youth and community programs, we create a platform to heal historical wounds, take care of the land we depend on, and engage in civic life. By doing so, we hope to provide a model for other communities throughout the United States. At Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, we believe that by coming together to embrace our differences, we can build a better, more equitable future for all. We invite you to join us in creating a more vibrant and unified world for generations to come.
We are an organization of Third World artists, cultural workers, and community organizers of color committed to working in the San Antonio and other Oakland neighborhoods to support a creative environment that improves the quality of life for our communities and advocates for progressive, systemic social change.