Art Changes Lives

Quarterly Newsletter April 2023

ART-MAKING + PEACEMAKING

The Peace Pole Project

and the April Teen Apprentice Session

An enthusiastic and talented group of 11 Sonoma County teens joined us April 11-13 for our first Apprentice Session of 2023! The focus of this 3-day intensive session was the Peace Pole Project.

Artstart Lead Artist Elizabeth Zindler led the April Session with assistance from our Work Experience Apprentices. Together they mentored the teen apprentices in the creation of mosaics and the process of sculpting, glazing, and firing small-scale clay pieces.

The Artstart Peace Pole Project came about after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 and is inspired by the global peace pole project. We believe that this is a crucial time to engage students in spreading the universal message of peace both locally and in the wider world. As an arts education organization, we are excited that we can help do this through art making.

In addition to our April teen apprentices, we have been working directly with students at the 3 schools where the Peace Poles will be installed - Elsie Allen High School, Amarosa Academy, and Laguna High School.

During onsite workshops led by Artstart at each school, students created small clay pieces for the Peace Pole project. Students were encouraged to enjoy complete creative freedom and the result is a set of one-of-a-kind and uniquely personal pieces that will be included on the Peace Poles for each school.

SUPPORT THE PEACE POLE PROJECT

SUMMER 2023 @ ARTSTART!

The Artstart Summer Teen Apprentice Program

July 5-27, 2023

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

9:00am - 12:00pm each day

Each summer we welcome teen creatives from throughout Sonoma County to our Southwest Santa Rosa studio for one amazing month of art-making!

Teen apprentices work alongside other apprentices and our Lead Artists on one or more assigned projects. The vibe is open and inclusive and fun. The focus is on making and creating and learning. Apprentices are expected to treat this like a job and will receive a small stipend.

Interested in attending Artstart's Summer Apprentice Session? Complete the Interest Form and we'll send you the application materials!

APPRENTICE INTEREST FORM

Change A Life Today: Sponsor A Teen Apprentice

Our Teen Apprentices are grateful to have sponsorships from patrons willing to help them pursue their creative journey. Make a difference today!

Sponsor an Apprentice for $300 per session*

(*funds also support our art mentors and programs)

SPONSOR AN APPRENTICE

THE ART OF PIZZA (DECONSTRUCTED)

a fundraiser for Artstart hosted by Diavola Pizzeria

Diavola Hosting Silent Auction for Artstart April 12 through June 6!

Artstart is proud to be a part of Diavola’s artist series in Geyserville and we are excited to showcase one of our many talented artists, Mary Christensen.

With the assistance of Artstart’s Work Experience apprentices, Mary created a series of paintings featuring deconstructed pizza toppings inspired by the aesthetic of botanical illustrations.

These pieces are part of a fundraiser and all proceeds will go to Artstart to further our mission of providing outreach to our youth community.

You can access the auction from a computer or mobile device, but we encourage you to visit Diavola, see the paintings in-person, share a meal with friends, support this amazing local business, and bid on art!

Silent Auction Dates:

April 12 - June 6, 2023

Click here to access the Silent Auction or use your phone to scan the QR code.

Scan this QR code to view and bid on the Art of Pizza paintings!

MARY DURGUNOGLU-BROWN

Painter, Potter, Artstart Board Member, Artstart Apprentice Alumnus

Mary Durgunoglu-Brown joins the Artstart Board of Directors with a background in art and finance. Mary first came to Artstart through summer sessions as an apprentice artist in 2002 and 2003. The opportunity to be mentored as an artist in her youth left Mary with lasting gratitude towards Artstart. She is thrilled to be reciprocating by contributing her financial and artistic acumen with the esteemed program.

Over the years, Mary established a diverse background in accounting and budgeting while sustaining an art practice. She served many years at the East Bay Regional Park District specializing in revenue and grants, and concluded her service as the District's Budget Manager. In addition to serving on Artstart's Board, she is a Grant Review Panelist for the City of Berkeley's Civic Arts Division.

Mary is a full-time oil painter and potter working out of her studio at O2 Artisan's Aggregate located in West Oakland. You can follow Mary on Instagram or check out her work here.

Are you an Artstart Alumnus? Reconnect with us and help cultivate our creative community!

We have a variety of opportunities to get involved and share your talents.

Email us today!

Participate in an upcoming Artstart Alumni Art Show!
Get your hands dirty and your creative juices flowing by helping with art projects.
Help shape the future of Artstart by joining our Board of Directors.
Spread the word! Assist with event planning, marketing, and social media.

ARTSTART BRINGS MOSAIC ART TO ROSELAND REGIONAL LIBRARY!

Artstart Teams Up with Roseland Regional Library to Guest Host Their Create Teen! Workshops

When Emily Cooper, Roseland Regional Library's Teen Librarian, asked Artstart to be a part of the weekly crafting group she hosts at the library, we jumped at the opportunity!

For two Fridays in April we had the privilege of imagining and creating with Emily and an enthusiastic and talented group of teens.

Our Artstart team introduced the group to the art of mosaics using ceramic and glass tiles alongside an eclectic selection of found objects.

The finished piece will be installed at the Roseland Regional Library in Santa Rosa.

THANK YOU LINA!

At the end of March we said farewell (but NOT goodbye) to our wonderful office manager Lina Chambliss.

Lina had worked as an artist on various projects at Artstart so when the office manager position opened up we were thrilled to have her fill that role. Her knowledge of the studio-side of Artstart, her positive and kind attitude, and her professional skills came together to make Lina an appreciated, well-loved, and integral part of our team.

We were then, of course, sad for ourselves and Artstart when Lina made the difficult and brave decision to leave Artstart and focus on her personal wellness. We are grateful for all that Lina brought to Artstart. All of us - the Board of Directors, staff, artists - wish Lina the very best and are hopeful that she will be able to lend us her talents again in the future.

Artstart

(707) 546-2345

www.artstart.us

info@artstart.us