Since Oct. 4, CHS students have been becoming more involved in the Art Start Program, and spreading awareness about the project in Claremont. The project is supported in part by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Flourish Foundation, the City of Claremont and the Rotary Club. Art Start is a program that has CHS volunteers who teach various forms of art to students from 4th to 8th grade from Sycamore, Vista, Oakmont elementary schools and El Roble Intermediate School. Richard Deely has previously been a director of the Claremont Museum of Art and currently teaches students through the Art Start program. Deely finds it very important to teach the future generation about art.

“Usually, senior citizens in a given community visit and appreciate the wisdom of supporting arts institutions, so the next generation needs to follow in their footsteps. Art Start is meant to help the future generation appreciate art and carry on the tradition,” Deely said. “That’s why it’s so important to have young people in Claremont engaged in their local museums and galleries.”

The Art Start program currently has about 50 CHS students involved. These students in the program gain the experience of training and teaching, which reflects community service. They create a lesson plan to teach the younger students about how art communicates to its recipient. In addition, it also gives them the experience of working with others.

Deely expressed that since Claremont has so much history with art as well as a variety of galleries, the community could be considered as the students’ classroom. His goal for Art Start was to reach out to elementary and high school students, and teach them about how art affects one’s life and how to observe the hidden meanings behind a piece of artwork. Since these improvements, the program has created a student advisory committee and has grown in participation. The key to this program is to consider and understand the true meaning behind any type of art.

CHS visual arts teacher Tamara Kirkpatrick, has been an adviser along with Deely from the beginning and is very passionate about her involvement.

“I think that it is a good opportunity for students to gain the experience of teaching younger students about the significance of art,” Kirkpatrick said.

Within the Art Start program, students have the opportunity to take field trips to various galleries and the Museum of Art in Claremont. In addition, Kirkpatrick is co-adviser with Melissa Wonacott, the CHS photography and IB art teacher in both standard level and higher level.

Art Start member senior Madeline Helland, commented that she is very happy to see this type of program in Claremont. Helland has been involved in Art Start for three years and is also on the student advisory committee.

“I like Art Start because it’s personally fulfilling and that it is a way to help schools that have lost funding,” Helland said.

Currently, the Art Start Project is full, however, Kirkpatrick helps organize interviews for interested students each fall. In addition, students must have dedication and patience to teach younger students about the values of art. If any students are interested in more information, they may speak with either Kirkpatrick or Wonacott about the interview process.

The Art Start program will continue to help students experience art in a way that will leave them intrigued and want to learn more. This program represents dedication and passion for teaching younger students and obtaining more knowledge about art in Claremont.