educational outreach program
offering in-depth cultural arts education
to residents of Dahlia Court (Carp.),
Carpinteria Camper Park & Ladera Apartments (SB)

co-sponsored by
Carpinteria Valley Arts Council
& Peoples' Self-Help Housing

director: C. Kathleen Lord
in cooperation with
Brittany Hididian @ Camper Park
Brittany Hididian @ Dahlia Court
Peoples' Self-Help Housing YEEP

bellas artes
Developed by C. Kathleen Lord & Zoe Iverson, the primary goal is to promote self esteem and maintain cultural heritage by combining education in the rich tradition of Latin America arts with projects specific to the present North American cultural and physical realities of the participants.

bellas artes began in August 2004

 Other goals include:
A consistent, positive, safe and exciting learning experience. Development of the creative impulses in each individual. To offer projects with enough potential variation to accommodate all age levels (realizing that many students can only attend accompanied by young family members).
To offer both craft and fine arts education.
To develop an understanding of "the arts" as a professional career and/or way of life.
To encourage critical thinking skills through the ability to self evaluate and resolve one's creation.

bellas artes After School Workshops are held monthly, September through July.

All Ages are welcome. All materials are provided.
Each workshop is based on the study of a Latin American Artist, a particular Artistic Community, or a traditional indigenous art form. For example: February 2005, our workshop featured the life & work of Rufino Tamayo and participants painted portraits in the style of Tamayo, in acrylic on marble dusted canvases; August 2005, we studied traditional Oaxacan woodcarving, making animals out of local arundo root & beach driftwood, painted with bright colored patterns.

Typically, each workshop is announced with the posting of a flier designed to spark interest in the upcoming activity. Kathleen and/or Zoe prepare educational handouts, design the projects, arrive at either Dahlia or the Camper Park with all the materials and set up shop on the outdoor tables or in the Self-Help YEEP Learning Centers.

Each workshop includes a brief historical or cultural reference lesson. Carpinteria Valley Arts Council member volunteers, the Self-Help Tutoring Program Instructors & Managers join together to assist the participants with sign in sheets, old-t-shirt smocks, paints, brushes, glue, clay...what ever is on tap for the day.

Often, once we start working on our projects a great calm surrounds us as we focus in on our creations. Upon completion, the projects are photographed so the artists can take their work home to share with their families.

Some months special guest artists & performers come to the Camper Park & Dahlia. We will also be traveling to UCSB, SB Art Museum, and hopefully MOLAA (Museum of Latin American Art) in Long Beach for special exhibitions & performances.

bellas artes del sol our special summer camp program

All Ages are welcome. All materials are provided.
This program is held 4 consecuutive days & includes traditional fool.

Each camp week features a theme incorporating Latin American Culture with projects adapted to Carpinteria.
Week 2
Agosto 05

In 2004 agosto bellas artes was held at the Camper Park and participants from Dahlia walked (3+ blocks) to participate. In 2005, two teams of volunteers worked simultaneously, one at Dahlia Court & the other at the Camper Park. The projects, materials, special guests, and meals were identical at each location. In the future, two teams at two locations will continue.

2004 included: "Make a Place" - furniture painting, "Check it Out" - sketchbooks & watercolor, and "Theatro". 2005 featured: "Whacky Mystical Animals" - Oaxacan woodcarving, "Fabulous Feet & Fabrics" - indigenous dance with Juan Rios of LA County Music Center, & indigenous clothing (huipiles & sarapes), with fabric painting & sewing, and "Books & Pots" - Aztec sun imagry, scrap booking & the pottery of Juan Quesada, working with clay (pinch pots, fired & then painted).

Special presentations in 2005 included Cherisse, Eli & Diego Cordero sharing information about their Chumash dance culture & costume, Kathi Scarminach as Frida, and dance with Juan Rios, "Los Viejitos".
2006 - agosto bellas artes - año de animales.
2007 - julio bellas artes - atl, einstein & tehuanatepec women.
2008, 2009 - see Archives

bellas artes en la manana

Morning workshops are held once a month at Dahlia Court & Camper Park for adults with babies & preschool children.

These workshops are offered at the request of the women who attended agosto bellas artes, 2005. Some of the women have direct knowledge and experience in the cultural arts of their pueblos which in turn enhances the enrichment program! The workshops follow the afterschool workshop format - with all materials provided - and with projects based on study of Latin American Culture, adapted to Carpinteria.

bellas artes special events

Some months special guest artists & performers are invited to perform at the Camper Park & Dahlia Court. In 2006, bellas artes participants traveled as a group by bus to UCSB, SB Art Museum. In 2007, 2008, & 2009 they attended performances @ Cambell Hall, the Arlington, and the Lobero. In collaboration with USCB's Arts & Lectures "Viva" program, belles artes participants have hosted musicians & dancers at Camper Park, Dahlia Court & Ladera Apartments (see archives). All ages are welcome. All costs are covered by the bellas artes program through donations & grants.