October 22 proclaimed as Young Artist Studio Day by Santa Cruz City Mayor.
This year is the 20th anniversary of the Shared Adventures art class. Over one thousand art students, of all ages, with all types of disabilities, have participated in the Shared Adventures art classes.
It has quite a history: the class originally was started with an National Endowment of the Arts grant as “Young Artist Studio” in 2004, by Kim Evans-Garcia who noticed that her developmentally challenged daughter communicated well with visual arts. She found an NEA category “Special Programs”, and submitted a proposal on behalf of Shared Adventures, which was funded. The original art program shared facilities with Santa Cruz Unified School District Alternative Family Education at the Branciforte Small Schools campus. A highlight was a proclamation from Santa Cruz Mayor Cynthia Mathews declaring “Young Artist Studio Day” in Santa Cruz.
After a few years, the art class was relocated to the Hope Services building in downtown Santa Cruz under the leadership of local artist Anastasia Torres-Gil,, and funding was provided by the California Arts Council. The art class activities included murals, multiple Blue Ribbons at the SC County Fair (in the Group Art Project category), and First Friday openings. The past few years, the art class was held at the beautiful studio of Claraty Arts under the guidance of art instructor Christine Kiebert-Boss, and funding was provided by Arts Council of Santa Cruz County.
This year, the Shared Adventures art class found a new, more spacious site, at Midtown Community Center. The class takes place each Sunday afternoon, from 3:30-5:00 at Midtown Community Center, 115 S Morrissey Ave. Christine has varied activities each week, and has introduced all types of media, ranging from watercolors and encaustic painting to holiday tree ornaments and masks. At this time, the art class is supported by Santa Cruz Gives donations.
