Community Projects
Utility Box Beautification Project
Current
Art Escape is working on a community-driven project like no other!
In collaboration with the County and the Springs Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), we are beautifying local Comcast and Caltrans utility boxes. Design suggestions have been taken from the community and the painting process will be completed by local participants of all ages.
Backyard Art: Community Workshops
Ongoing
An immersive, ongoing program that warmly welcomes our community into our backyard to participate in hands-on art workshops using earth-friendly materials and techniques. From grinding natural pigments into paints, to Tataki zomé (Japanese flower-pounding), all ages & skill levels are welcome at each session!
Oferred free to the community by Art Escape
Frida’s Art for All
Ongoing
Art Escape’s “lending library” of art supplies which are free to the community.
#FridasArtForAll was created in order to share our love of creative expression and enables anyone with an idea to manifest that idea through the free craft and art supplies. It’s a unique way to recycle art supplies in a way that helps our community and supports our mission that art should be accessible to everyone.
Donations accepted, space permitting- please contact us!
Flowery School Wednesdays
Ongoing
Each month, 12 students are scheduled for 3 consecutive Wednesday classes at Art Escape, which allows the opportunity to complete projects that require more than 2 hours.
These two hour classes introduce students to a variety of art mediums and techniques including painting, drawing, sculpting, bookmaking, and creating 3D sculptures. Projects are often related to current holiday events and introduce students to customs and art of other cultures. The classes are a combination of grades 3-5.
Funded by Sonoma Plein Air.
Mosaic Program at El Verano
Ongoing
Art Escape works with 15-20 grades 4-5 students every semester to design and create a Mexican Art inspired mosaic mural on the garden planters.
Program funded by Sonoma Plein Air.
Free Fridays
Ongoing
Friday After School Art began in 2015 with attendance growing every year. Classes are from 3:30 to 5:30 with students from all Sonoma Valley schools attending. Both classrooms are used with a different project in each room. This program is open to all local children ages 7-12.
These classes offer the opportunity to experience many different art projects and materials taught by our wonderful local instructors. It is also an opportunity for students to meet and interact with children from the broader Sonoma Valley community.
Funded by Sonoma Plein Air
Art in the City for Teens
Ongoing
Twenty teens will have the opportunity to travel to nearby towns or cities and experience interactive museum visits or workshops. This program began in the fall of 2021 with a trip to San Francisco!
Funded by Sonoma Plein Air
Free Teen Glass Exploration
Ongoing
Teens explore free glass torch and glass blowing classes throughout the school year.
Funded by the Rose Marie Piper Foundation.
Metalworking Intensive for Teens
Spring 2020
In collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club, teen will learn the ins and outs of metalworking at Art Escape and attend a field trip to the Crucible in Oakland.
Sponsored by Creative Sonoma. Funded in part by the Community Foundation, Sonoma County.
Mexican Art Program at El Verano
2018-2019
First through third graders created artwork inspired by Mexican artists. Their work included giant printmaking books and altars.
Funded by Sonoma Plein Air.
Restrooms Makeovers at El Verano
Spring 2019
All 3rd–5th graders participated in a program aiming to make the schools restrooms safe, inclusive and positive spaces.
Funded by Sonoma Plein Air.
Printmaking Intensive for Teens
Fall 2019
In collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club, fifteen local teens participated in a three-week print making workshop where they learned how to design, carve and print their images. The class culminated in a field trip to the North Bay Letterpress Arts Workshop where they learned the basics of typesetting and using printing presses.
Sponsored by Creative Sonoma. Funded in part by the Community Foundation, Sonoma County.
Street Art Scavenger Hunt
Summer 2019
In collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club.
Funded by Sonoma Plein Air.
Boyes Springs Mural Project
2018
A team of fifteen students worked with Joaquin Lamar Halley, aka Chor Boogie, through the design and creation of an outdoor mural on the south wall of the Republic of Thrift in Boyes Hot Springs.
Funded through California Art Council Arts Education Extension Grant, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, and the Bank of Marin.
Sweet Home Sonoma
2018
A collaborative creation, display, and event by residents of Sonoma Valley in recognition of our resilience and community spirit one year after the wildfires. Five art-making/creative writing sessions were conducted across the valley where the public painted 160 small birdhouses and inserted their handwritten experience of the fires. The birdhouses were installed in front of Art Escape before distributing them to the general public.