2002 Student Artwork Gallery

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INTRODUCTION

The 2001/2002 academic term marked the fifth consecutive year of the Friends California History and Art program offered free of charge for fourth graders attending all elementary schools within Carlsbad's city limits.

It proved to be the biggest success ever - benefiting more than 1,200 students from 44 classes at 13 schools.

Each half-day classroom session began with a 30-minute discussion of native son Leo Carrillo (1880-1961) and his role in California history as an actor, artist, poet, historian, preservationist, conservationist, recreationist and confidante of leading state and national entertainment, political and industrial figures.

Students were told how Mr. Carrillo was dedicated to his beloved Rancho de Los Kiotes (Carrillo Ranch) in southeast Carlsbad where he devoted his energy and financial resources to the re-creation of an Old California-style working rancho. The most intense period of his involvement covered more than two decades from 1937 to the late 1950's.

Following the students' orientation to the California history element, the next 2 1/2 hours were spent learning how to use oil pastels to express their visions of Carrillo Ranch. They were under the hands-on guidance of a professional artist-educator. The chemistry was quite extraordinary, especially since the ranch was still closed, field trips were not practical and the young artists were obliged to work from audio/visual aids.

220 artworks were considered to be of "finalist" quality and on May 1 were displayed for family, friends and the general public during a one-day-only exhibit at Carlsbad's celebrated William D. Cannon Gallery. Nearly 1,000 visitors were enthralled by the magical colors and vivid imaginations of so many youthful, talented artists.

An independent panel of qualified judges subsequently selected 44 winners (shown below), one from each participating class. These artworks and their creators were presented and formally recognized before an overflow crowd on May 14, hosted by the Carlsbad City Council as the opening agenda item of a regular business meeting in chambers. A videotape of the ceremonies is available for loan from both Carlsbad libraries.

On behalf of the Friends Board of Directors, Enjoy!

Aviara Oaks

Karla Duenas

Sebastian Inman

Marlayna Kirby

Buena Vista

Hope