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| MENDOCINO UNIFIED SCHOOL ENRICHMENT |
Mendocino Unified School District is one of very few districts in California to have a full-time art teacher for grades K-8. The non-profit foundation MUSE pays for 80% of this position in addition to many other supplemental programs for our district. Since its creation in 2001, made grants to all grade levels and in all academic areas.
To contribute to MUSE's endowment and help make it possible for the many MUSE-funded programs to continue, please click here.
Some examples of student art (grades K-8) from the 2007-8 school year are shown above.
MENDOCINO K-8 SCHOOL
Since 2007, I've taught art in Mendocino, a gorgeous coastal artists' colony a few hours north of San Francisco. The community is extremely supportive of children's art. Through donations to MUSE and to our art boosters club, we are able to be one of very few California school districts with a comprehensive K-12 art program. I love working here and with these wonderful, creative students, and am happy to know that in some cases I'll be following students as their artistic talents develop for nine years.
To learn more about the program or see current examples of student work, click here.
MENDOCINO ART CENTER
The Mendocino Art Center is much of why I'm here. Since its inception over 50 years ago, it has made this town a beacon to artists from Ansel Adams to Frida Kahlo, and has created the foundations for community support of art (and eccentric artists!) that makes my job here possible. Community artists and the artists in residence from all over the world offer world-class wares and classes through the center, which is a necessary stop for anyone wanting to really experience the magic of the North Coast. To learn more, click here.
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Emmy-Award winning film-maker (and my blood brother) Joe Sottile has just released a new film. Click here to watch the trailer of The Warning. |
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JOSEPH P. SOTTILE, PRODUCER ETC.
Joe Sottile, two-time Emmy-award winning TV news producer, has just completed a new film, The Warning. In many ways, its a return to his academic roots in history-- his widely referenced Master's thesis became the lead chapter in E. Bruce Reynold's Japan in the Fascist Era, Noted historian Chalmers Johnson claimed this book advanced "a new genre of scholarship."
His generic blurb: Joseph P. Sottile provides consulting and freelance services to print, online, television and film media—from content conceptualization to production, from research to script editing. As a producer, author, and journalist, Joseph offers innovative approaches to visual media, finely-honed writing skills, and expert knowledge on a variety of topics including history, politics, current affairs, pop culture, travel, science and environmental issues.
For more information visit www.jpsottile.com.
UCSC ARBORETUM
When I took my first steps away from genetics and stuffy labs as a Biology student, I landed in heaven at the UCSC Arboretum. I was profoundly inspired by the incredible collection of plants from around the world and the kind and knowledgeable staff. The influence and support of former director Ray Collette was especially critical in nudging me into photography.
If you are ever in Santa Cruz, you need to visit the arboretum. For more information, click here.
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Click here to view student art from the first half of LVCS's first year. For more information about my art instruction at LVCS, please read the Independent's profile by clicking here. |
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Though I now teach art in Mendocino, I still miss and love Livermore Valley Charter School and am glad it's continuing to thrive now in its forth year. LVCS was the largest start-up charter school in California, and now hosts close to 900 students. The art program is now in the gifted hands of Amy Modrich (elementary) and Rigena Leyva (middle school).
ANYA ILLES– FREELANCE WEB DESIGNER,
GRAPHIC ARTIST, ILLUSTRATOR, AND BIOLOGIST
Besides her current work towards a PhD at the University of Washington, focusing on the complexities of bird social dynamics and vocalizations, Anya Illes is a web designer, graphic artist and editorial/science illustrator. Her creative work frequently draws on her extensive experience as a wildlife biologist. Prior to graduation from the University at California at Santa Cruz's prestigious science illustration program, Anya worked on numerous research projects in Costa Rica, Argentina, Hawaii, California and the Pacific Northwest.
Besides Mark Oatney photography (website and poison oak logo), her clients include the Nature Conservancy, the San Diego Zoo, the California Academy of Sciences, and Hewlett-Packard.
For more examples of her work, please visit www.anyailles.com
For perfectly-cut mats and friendly service, we are happy to refer framing requests to our favorite frame shops:
In Mendocino: Prentice Gallery 17701 North Highway One, Fort Bragg, CA (707) 962-0732 www.prenticefineart.com |
In Livermore: Way Up Art and Frame 1923 2nd Street, Livermore, CA (925) 443-3388 www.wayupartandframe.com |
CLARA
WEYGANDT- FREELANCE WRITER
After completing BA in Environmental Studies at UCSC, Clara Sophia Weygandt spent several years as a wildlife biologist throughout the Western US working with such endangered birds as Peregrine Falcons, Northern Spotted Owls, and Marbled Murrelets. She then shifted her attention toward botany, and for several years has studied California native plants and invasive weeds.
She is now working to combine her love of natural history with her love of non-fiction writing and poetry. She has published natural history essays and poetry in national magazines and university literary journals, and has completed her Masters degree at the prestigious environmental writing program at the University of Montana in Missoula.
For more information, write Clara Sophia Weygandt at voyant@digitalpath.net
RAMBLING DOG PHOTOGRAPHY
James Cooper is a talented photographer who has shot black and white and travel photographs that i particularly like. He's also gone to the trouble of putting together a very interesting links page that pulls together a lot of off-center, quirky work by other photographers. Take a look here.
