“That’s a wild throw …” – Allison Keefe, LOCA teacher
“… I’m a wild kid!” – Cody, student age 6
Boys & Girls Club Laguna Beach is among LOCA’s many longtime institutional partners. LOCA partnered with Angels Baseball Foundation in bringing a special workshop to the Club recently.
John Carpino, President of Angels Baseball came to meet the kids, answer questions, and share memories of the Club. “My three kids came here and I was a basketball coach here – this is a real special place,” he said.
Carpino mingled among LOCA representatives Rich Fair, KC Mechling, and Mike Tauber, and LOCA art teachers Sherry Bullard, Allison Keefe, Lisa Rainey and Brittney Silva. Representatives from Boys & Girls Club, on hand to support the capacity crowd included Pamela Estes, Cody Howell, Mar Stash, and Steve Sliwoski who stated “It’s always great when LOCA is teaching here, they are fabulous as always, but bringing in the Angels brought this to the next level!”
Kids migrated between three workstations, each with activity custom designed by LOCA for the event. One was a printmaking station, where kids dipped bats, balls, and cleats in paint and created abstract designs on watercolor paper.
“We did a lot of out-of-the-box thinking as we developed the projects,” said Allison Keefe. “It shows how you can use found objects in the creation of art. Another project nicknamed “base bowling” involved one kid tossing a paint-dipped ball across a giant floor canvas, and another kid catching it.
“We were lucky to have lots of space to do this” said Lisa Rainey, “it was very hands-on, active, playful, and messy!” she said. A student named Callum, on his fourth roll, stated “I want to go again” as the game erupted in laughter and cheers for each other.
The Jackson Pollack style finished art was disassembled, and each child took home a signed section. The third project was the creation of thank you notes to be sent to Angels Baseball. Kids learned how to draw the iconic “A” logo, along with a baseball diamond, and sports equipment.
“Thank you notes are very important,” said Penelope, a student. The event concluded with a gathering of the kids singing happy birthday, on camera, to Arte Moreno, owner of the Los Angeles Angels. Hats and jerseys featuring Mike Trout #27, were distributed to each child, along with tickets to an upcoming game.
“One of the pillars of the Angels Baseball Foundation is to nurture the artistic and creative potential of kids through art and education. We are excited to partner with LOCA and Boys & Girls Club to make a positive impact in the community.” said Dennis Kuhl, President of the Angels Baseball Foundation.
“We send a big THANK YOU and look forward to future collaborations!” said Rich Fair, LOCA Vice President.