Young artists visit and learn at Hilltop

"The art of picture books and the art experiences provided something concrete to embrace, to discuss, to emulate, and to inspire their imaginations." (Carger, 2004)

More than 110 children enrolled in the Summer Youth Art Program, but more are attending art sessions at Hilltop Gallery as visitors for two days. The children are presented with hands-on experiences to learn the lives of famous painters and their artwork by applying the techniques into their art. Among the artists they are learning about are Van Gogh, Chagall, Picasso, Seurat, Gauguin, Klee, and Rousseau.

The Nogales Parks and Recreation Department Summer Youth Art Program is held in three sessions at Hilltop Gallery. There are more than 45 youngsters for the first and second classes, and more than 20 for the third class.

The first class is for children 5 to 7 years old, the second class is for children 8 to 11, and the third is for 12 to 16 years of age.

This year's theme at Hilltop Gallery is "The Languages of Art/ Los Idiomas del Arte." The program has taken a different approach in valuing the students' bilingualism skills and applying it to picture books and art. For the children who are not bilingual, it is a new experience for them to be taught in a bilingual setting. The children are enthusiastic about their learning and use either language to explain art and speak to each other.

The first two groups begin the art day with hands-on projects. They begin with an arts-and-crafts project. Then a story is presented and followed by questions to aid in their understanding of the story in either language. This is followed by instructions for the art project that incorporates the techniques learned for the day, followed by another arts-and-crafts activity.

The staff consists of Jessica Y. Valencia, this year's art director and a candidate for a master's in Bilingual Education, who will teach 2nd and 3rd grade at Mexicayotl Academy in Nogales.

Teachers are: Jennifer Y. Valencia, who will receive her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education May 2010 from the University of Arizona; Stephanie Valencia, who will pursue her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at the University of Arizona; Alma Piña; and Ana Valencia. Teachers’ assistants are 0Astrid Meek, and Cynthia Topete.