A is for Art
The SDSU Childrens Center showcases artwork by its students as part of its annual fundraiser.
SDSU Children's Center students create art with their teachers and artist-mentor using textured balls and paint.
But, that’s not the case at the SDSU Children’s Center, home to children of San Diego State students, faculty, staff and alumni, and local community members. There, artwork by the students, who range in age from 6 months to 5 years, is placed on gallery walls as part of A is for Art.
“Research and experience clearly show that children’s earliest years are crucial learning years,” said Robin Judd, director of the SDSU Children’s Center. “One way that children learn critical communicative and expressive skills is through art. Children have an immense capacity for creativity and fostering artistic expression can make a difference in the life of a young child.”
Local artists volunteer to work in the classroom with students and their teachers, creating multimedia works of art that stretch the limits of what many consider “child’s play.” The artists visit the classrooms to discuss their own art, demonstrate artistic techniques and mentor the children in their artwork.
As part of A is for Art, the 20 pieces created in the classrooms are then auctioned off in a fundraiser that supports the SDSU Children’s Center, a service made available by the Associated Students of SDSU.
Enjoy an evening of art
Now in its eighth year, A is for Art encompasses two events: a sneak peek from 5 – 7 p.m., Saturday, March 24, at the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library 1008 Wall Street in La Jolla, and the exhibition and gala from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 6, at the KPBS Copley Telecommunications Center on the SDSU campus. Both events are free and open to the public.
The La Jolla event will feature 10 paintings sold in a live auction that will benefit the SDSU Children’s Center, and guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres, an opportunity drawing, wine and live music. While children are welcome, the Athenaeum is not a child-friendly setting and parents are asked to stay with their children at all times.
Organizers will also auction a special “PINK” painting created by all the children at the center. The proceeds from this painting will be donated to the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in honor of Sara Sanders, a supervising teacher at the center.
The family-friendly gala event at KPBS will feature a live auction of the 10 remaining art pieces created by the SDSU Children’s Center, and guests can enjoy refreshments, opportunity drawings and children’s entertainment provided by Hullabaloo.
A is for Art is generously supported by:
- Athenaeum Music and Arts Library
- Associated Students Cultural Arts and Special Events (CASE)
- The Frame Maker
- Michael’s Printing Company
- Nautilus Advisors LLC
- KPBS
- Steve from Hullabaloo
- Associated Students of SDSU
- SDSU Art Club
- SDSU Library and Information Services
- US Bank
About the SDSU Children’s Center
The SDSU Children's Center features a relaxed and loving atmosphere in which children are free to explore, learn and create through play. To foster the development of the whole child, activities are planned to provide maximum physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth — and continuous exposure to the tools for learning.
About Associated Students of SDSU
Associated Students is an independent, student-directed corporation and is one of the largest student governance organizations in the California State University system. As an affiliate of SDSU, the programs and facilities Associated Students manages are enjoyed by students, faculty, staff and the SDSU and San Diego community. To learn more about Associated Students, visit as.sdsu.edu.
