Children learn creative skills with hands-on activities

Published in the April 16 – 29 , 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Staff Report

This year’s Art a la Carte takes place Saturday April 26 starting at 11 a.m. at the Community and Cultural Center in downtown. Photo courtesy Morgan Hill Community Foundation

This year’s Art a la Carte takes place Saturday April 26 starting at 11 a.m. at the Community and Cultural Center in downtown.
Photo courtesy Morgan Hill Community Foundation

From planes to paws, tires, treats and treasurers, this year’s Art a la Carte, Morgan Hill’s annual free children’s arts and crafts fair, will please families who attend from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 26 at the Morgan Hill Community Center.

Art a la Carte’s 2014 theme is “How Do You Get Around: Cars, Trains, Capes, Kites, Rockets, Bikes?” and features antique and current in-service vehicles from the Morgan Hill Police Department and CalFire, as well as displays from Silicon Valley Ambulance, the Santa Clara Country Library’s Bookmobile, and model airplanes from the Wings of History Air Museum. Both the San Martin 4-H Club and the Friends of the San Martin Animal Shelter are hosting animal displays, with some animals available for adoption.

Additional hands-on projects for kids include action-figure parachutes, transportation-themed decorations, toy flyer jets and wooden cars, capes, chalk art, face painting, water color and painting, paper airplanes and more. Art a la Carte is scheduled to include about 20 local companies that participate as booth partners, providing materials and supplies for craft projects ideal for children between the ages of two and 10. For a full roster of companies and projects visit www.morganhillcf.org.

The annual event is made possible through the commitment of volunteers and event sponsors, including Santa Clara Valley Contractors’ Association, Recology South Valley, Genius Kids, Coyote Valley Sporting Clays, Edward Boss Prado Foundation, and Valle del Sur Art Guild. It is co-hosted by the Morgan Hill Community Foundation’s El Toro Culture and Arts Committee, which supports a broad range of cultural activities and the arts in Morgan Hill, and the City of Morgan Hill Recreation and Community Services Division of the Community Services Department.

“Art a la Carte’s successful 14-year history in Morgan Hill is not only due to generous financial support, but also the consistent personal time commitment and enthusiasm from volunteers and local companies that make everything possible year after year. It has evolved since it started as a Leadership class project in 2000, but remains true to its roots of community spirit and volunteerism bringing everyone together for a good cause,” said Amy Whelan, president of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation and El Toro Culture and Arts Committee member.

Annie Winston, a Bay-area, award-winning author will attend and discuss her Admiral Wright’s Heroical Storicals series, which includes the first book titled Daniel Boone and the Battle of Boonesborough. Her second book in the Heroical Storicals series is based on Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Winston has been a frequent speaker at public schools, libraries, and special author events where she encourages students with a strong literacy and positive character message. More information about Winston is available at anniewinston.com.

For more information on participating as a booth partner, donor, or volunteer contact [email protected].