ARTS EDUCATION
As we continue to fulfill our mission to bring the community together through the arts, Pajaro Valley Arts’ partnership with the schools of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) is becoming increasingly important. Our involvement with students now extends well beyond the 100+ gallery tours we offer each year to include establishing a new Arts Now Community serving PVUSD to advocate for arts education. We continue our participation in the county-wide arts advocacy group.
Experience Art, PVA’s educational program, provides students and teachers the opportunity to make, exhibit and tour fine art exhibits free of charge, to learn about and better understand art, art making, and the expressive qualities of art made by outstanding regional artists. PVA hosts field trips for all grade levels, year-round, requiring additional staff, and outreach efforts. We inform schools about content, and learning opportunities; create and distribute teacher resource guides; and schedule tours, often outside of gallery hours. We offer bilingual services if requested. Gallery tours provide opportunities for students, teachers, and parents to broaden their understanding of art, medium, and techniques. Schedule a tour today.
With our recent acquisition of equipment and software, we now have the capability to expand our virtual presence, offering on-line 3-d tours of our exhibitions. Schools that cannot take advantage of our free tour program can “walk” students through our virtual gallery.
PVA works closely with teachers and school administrators to assist with the annual PVUSD student art show at the Watsonville Civic Plaza. Each year, PVA volunteers spend days framing and hanging 300-400 student art pieces from throughout the district. These works of art are displayed in the library, courtrooms, and administrative offices and remain in place for one year. An annual opening reception allows families to come and see their student’s work framed and proudly hanging in a public space!
“Protect the Sacred” Poster Contest
An Indigenous and environmental justice themed visual arts contest for middle and high school students in the Watsonville Area with a chance to win a $50 gift card and have their artwork included in the Alma Sagrada: Cultivando Ritmos Naturales art exhibition at Pajaro Valley Arts from April 7 – May 22, 2022. In partnership with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, curriculum associated with the local Protect Juristac movement is available for teachers and mentors supporting student participation.
View slideshow of poster contest entries
Wetlands Student Art 2019
Pajaro Valley Arts in collaboration with Watsonville Wetlands Watch created an arts based education program to help educate students about our local wetlands. The program was taught by Arts Council Santa Cruz County SPECTRA artist Linda Cover during the Pajaro Valley Unified School District summer session. Students (grades k-5) learned about local wetlands then drew the plants and animals of this valuable local environment. We hope you will enjoy their beautiful artwork! This project was supported through the generosity of the Repass-Rodgers Family Foundation.
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