Celebrating Family Togetherness with Creativity at National School District
Our recent K-1 Family Workshops at National School District Community Schools have been a beautiful celebration of creativity, community, and connection. With enthusiastic participation from families at Central and El Toyon, we experienced firsthand the joy that comes when generations come together to express themselves through art.
We are excited to share that, through both workshops, we hosted over 60 attendees to create "Animal Alebrije Collages." Drawing inspiration from traditional Mexican art, participants crafted fantastical creatures using an array of materials—from assorted papers and fabrics to feathers and sequins. The vibrant projects showcased individual creativity and cultural significance.
To encourage creativity beyond our workshops, students received take-home materials to complete their projects, including a fun scratch-off animal mask and a pot of glow-in-the-dark paint. We aim to inspire families to continue their artistic journey at home, fostering lasting connections through shared creativity.
Thanks to a generous donation from The Reed Foundation, we provided "healing art boxes" filled with art supplies to each family in attendance. It was gratifying to witness their excitement as they explored the materials. This experience reminded us of the importance of access to art supplies in fostering creativity for families.
Key Takeaways
The feedback and experiences shared during the workshops were genuinely heartwarming. Providing snacks and drinks contributed to the welcoming atmosphere, and at the end of each session, Lanae invited students to showcase their finished pieces on stage. It was a joy to see pride on their faces as they shared memories, with one child stating, "My favorite part was doing it with my mom."
The workshops also welcomed various family members—parents, grandparents, siblings—transforming the experience into a multi-generational celebration of creativity. It was especially fulfilling to see parents who felt they weren't "creative" blossom into confident artists throughout the session. Our program focuses on the students, yet these workshops allow parents to unleash their creativity.
We want to express our gratitude to the ARTS on Campus team, including Teaching Artist Lanae King and Program Assistant Lillian Miller, Katie Carrion (AoC Program Coordinator), Daniela Sebastian ( AoC Program Specialist), Olimpia Vazquez Ojeda (ARTS Programs Manager) and Stephanie Rivas (ARTS Intern and Volunteer Coordinator) for their support in the workshops.
We also thank our partners from the National School District—Steven Sanchez (Coordinator of Expanded Learning), Maria Kuz (District Resource Teacher), and the Community School Coordinators Ana Lisa Santa Cruz and Juana Valadez. Their dedication to creating a supportive and creative environment made a significant impact, and we are truly grateful for their support.
Looking Forward
We are excited to announce our upcoming workshops: Zade Helena and Andrea Moreno will lead another session at Central on April 17th and at El Toyon on April 29th focused on creating “Wishing Star Mobiles!”
The first two sessions of our ongoing family workshop series were a great success, and we are thrilled to continue our collaboration with the NSD Community Schools. Daniela, our Program Specialist, noted, "We saw students, siblings, parents, and grandparents come together over a shared love for creativity." Art-making provides a hands-on opportunity for children and caregivers to connect, share skills, and inspire one another. Our goal is for families to leave our workshops feeling empowered and enthusiastic about continuing to create art together at home.
Reflecting on these workshops, "it is clear that they significantly contributed to bringing families together. The energy, joy, and enthusiasm for creativity exhibited by all attendees reinforced our mission to provide spaces for connection and expression. Art-making bridges generations and inspires families to share, learn, and grow together.”
We look forward to continuing this meaningful collaboration with the NSD Community Schools and can't wait to see what the upcoming workshops will bring. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported our efforts. Let's keep the creative momentum going!
“The energy, joy, and enthusiasm for creativity exhibited by all attendees reinforced our mission to provide spaces for connection and expression. Art-making bridges generations and inspires families to share, learn, and grow together.”
