May 13, 2004

A discovery of art
11th Annual Los Alamitos Art Experience

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

In an effort to stimulate both sides of the brain for a more balanced education, the annual Los Alamitos Art Vistas program culminates each year with a gallery show and tour showcasing the yearlong efforts of students and countless parent volunteers who participate each year by offering enrichment through art education.

Supported entirely by the school's PTA and run exclusively by parent volunteers, the program utilizes various activities and projects such as drawing, painting, photography, and sculpting to teach students how to process visual information into artistic expression through a specialized curriculum.

"The kid's artwork is absolutely the showcase, and that's why we do it," said Art Vista Coordinator Deb Steinkopf. "We just keep expanding on what we've done in the past and use the classical music to give it more of a museum type feel."

This year, classical music accompaniment and visiting artists created a total gallery setting, while hands-on activities offered attendees the chance to experience mediums such as pointillism paining with cue tips and tempra paint, Cubism drawing with oil pastels for Picasso style self-portraits, and the ever popular fish print and spin art stations.

According to Steinkopf, the event couldn't have happened without the tireless assistance of Event Chair Kim Ramirez, Maggie Welebob, Laura Ramondi, and Cindy Sarabia, along with over 70 classroom docents, assistants and helpers who present and carry out the lessons throughout the year.