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Community Corner

Kid's Discover Inner Artist at 30th Annual Mission Federal ArtWalk

Southern California’s largest fine arts festival, Mission Federal ArtWalk brings art to all ages with KidsWalk, a series of hands-on projects presented by local organizations. This annual installation is a central feature of the 17-block Little Italy arts festival on April 26 and 27 with participants including arts nonprofits and local museums, each offering something uniquely artistic, for families.

“ArtWalk is all about unleashing the artist within and you can never start too early,” said Sandi Cottrell, managing director for ArtWalk San Diego. “Each of KidsWalk’s participating organization has been selected for their efforts to encourage children’s art within our community which they showcase with a fun interactive activity at the festival. This important part of our festival helps address the lack of arts education in many San Diego elementary schools. KidsWalk has been part of the festival for more than 15 years.”

KidsWalk will include:

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· Make an “art pennant” with recycled materials, with local not-for-profit ArtReach, an organization that provides hands-on visual art education workshops to K-6 San Diego County schools.

· The beloved Birch Aquarium will bring recycled crayons and cards for children to illustrate a pledge to protect the environment.

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·  Learn about native critters of San Diego Bay and create a recyclable craft with The Living Coast Discovery Center, a home to unique animals and plants of Southern California.

· ArtWalk sponsor Mission Federal Credit Union will give children the opportunity to decorate a bank and take it home to start saving for the future.

· The New Children’s Museum seeks to stimulate imagination, creativity and critical thinking in children and families through inventive and engaging experiences with contemporary art. Stop by their ArtWalk booth to make colorful chalk drawings, play with bubbles and receive free temporary tattoos.

· Make a mini-masterpiece with Rare Hare Studio, which offers art classes to children ages preschool through 8th grade, introducing a wide variety of materials and techniques.

· The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center will host a craft project bring science to life using Flipsticks, a hands-on optical illusion.

· Join in on drum circles throughout the day with Rhythmworks, an organization which provides education enrichment through rhythm based experiences. The organization will also help children take the rhythm home by creating their own instrument.

Several other organizations will join KidsWalk with their own education and activities including Mission Valley YMCA, The Cambridge School, Villa Musica, Sophia Isadora Academy of Circus Arts, pre-professional arts program The Coronado School of the Arts and early fine art instructional Art with Larisee.

The KidsWalk area is located at W. Date and Union Streets, at the Washington Elementary School playground. 

About Mission Federal ArtWalk

In its 30th year, Mission Federal ArtWalk brings more than 120,000 spectators and art buyers dozens of musical performances, interactive elements and 17 blocks of art to enjoy in the heart of Little Italy. The two-day fine arts festival is well-known for connecting artistic communities, while creating the opportunity for individuals to fall in love with original pieces of art. Mission Federal ArtWalk is held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 26 and 27 with a packed schedule of opportunities for individuals and families to engage in, create and purchase art. This free event features thousands of pieces of artwork created by artists from California, neighboring states, and Mexico. All must be accepted into the event to ensure attendees experience a range of fine visual and performing art including painting, sculpture, glasswork, photography, select jewelry and other artisan work.  For more information, visit www.missionfederalartwalk.org, Twitter: @ArtWalkSD, or Facebook: ArtWalkSD.


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