LG Art Docents: We would be lost without them

As a volunteer who has spent time in the classroom and witnessed all the fun, wonder and joy that comes with turning kids on to a love of art, I thought it made sense to share what I’ve learned about the Art Docents so the people of Los Gatos could better understand, support and celebrate the forty year contribution of this fine group.

Since 1973, Los Gatos Art Docents have volunteered thousands of hours to provide art education for children in our schools, Blossom Hill, Louise Van Meter, Lexington, Daves Avenue and Raymond James Fisher. Docents feed the need for creative expression and a love of art to more than 3000 children each year. Art education in the classrooms would be extremely limited if not for the contributions of this group of dedicated individuals.

This year alone, sixty-six active members have spent more than 1640 hours preparing lessons and teaching our children. Docents guide them through important paintings, sculptures and architecture from around the world. Kindergarteners get an introduction to the elements and principles of design while second graders learn about patterns and color theory. Fourth graders are guided through a unit on the great American painter, Georgia O’Keefe, creating a masterpiece of their own.

Docents also oversee hands-on photography workshops with fifth graders, teaching them about perspective, lighting and composition. They help sixth grade science students create cool scientific illustrations and awaken seventh grade French students to the beauty of the Impressionist Movement, and that’s merely a small sampling. The contributions by the Docents are enormous.

Active members are well-qualified and devoted to enabling our children to create a lasting, personal connection to art. Docents must attend nine intensive training sessions before they are qualified to teach classes. In addition to the art education and hands-on workshops, Docents sponsor Bay Area guest artist presentations. Local artists inspire children with live demonstrations teaching techniques in painting, sculpture and the use of unconventional materials in art. 

In the spring, Docents organize and display more than 2000 pieces of spectacular student artwork in the District Art Show, held in the multi-purpose room at Fisher. This special event is the culmination of a full years' worth of achievement in art in Los Gatos public schools. Works include drawings, paintings, sculptures and collages from every elementary student in the District and many middle school students. This year’s show will be held May 5-9th and is a wonderful community event, free and open to the public.  

In addition, Docents will also hold a fundraiser at the Los Gatos Art Museum May 16-18th showcasing works by the art docents themselves, many of whom are commercially relevant artists. A portion of the proceeds from the sales will be donated to the organization.

The Art Docents of Los Gatos is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer organization and runs on a modest budget. The budget covers the cost of art supplies, an art library, costs of training, cost of running the office and a knowledgable and well-organized staff person. The Los Gatos Art Docent organization is funded by membership dues, small contributions from the schools’ parent-run home and school clubs, the cities of Los Gatos and Monte Sereno, a grant from the Los Gatos Education Foundation and private contributions. 

I urge you to visit the newly designed website, www.artdocents.com and learn more about this exceptional organization and to make a donation to Los Gatos Art Docents. In doing so, you will have a hand in keeping art alive in our public schools.