“I want to be a scientist, but I’ll keep doing art because it’s fun!”
— LOCA student at TLC Bluebird Park
LOCA Arts Education has taught all ages in Laguna Beach, and beyond, for 30+ years. LOCA’s unique strength is its ability to be mobile, providing free and affordable lectures, demonstrations, and classes throughout the City at commercial spaces, community centers, galleries, parks, resorts, and studios.
LOCA has partnered many years with The Boys and Girls Club both at the canyon facility, and at TLC Bluebird Park (photo below) -where LOCA teaches twice monthly. TLC focuses on afterschool activities for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. Teachers have included Reem Khalil, Allison Keefe, Britney Silva and others.
Miguel Contreras has worked for the Laguna Beach Boys and Girls Club for 14 years and has overseen the Bluebird Enrichment Center (commonly known as TLC) for 9 years.
He points out the importance of the LOCA art program in honoring the tradition of art in Laguna Beach. Prioritizing art and STEM education, he welcomes the LOCA art program. “The kids are eager for it, and the artists who teach are wonderful with them. Being locals, they know many of the kids and their families, and are open and kind with all the children,” Contreras said.
One TLC student commented about LOCA, “I come every time they come! I love making the things they teach us. I give it to my parents and they put it up in their office.”
Brittney Silva, a LOCA assistant teacher, says that the kids who opt to join the art activity are passionate about what they are doing. “I love to see the children learning and developing confidence. We try to do projects that don’t happen in public school.”
“The ideas are a bit more complex and the materials may be different and new. We try to stretch their experience while building their artistic confidence,” Silva said. There are always 2 teachers so they can be right there to help and answer questions.
LOCA works with up to 16 children at a time so the ratio of students to teachers is very low.
The children get to know the teachers well and become comfortable enough to dive into the projects with enthusiasm.
The grandmother of one student sat down to watch and appreciate the art happening around her and said, “She loves this program! We go to LOCA at the Library too because she likes it so much.”
“It’s wonderful to have an interesting art project organized for us and the teachers are so nice – it’s a great program!”
Alison Keefe, one of the lead teachers said “I love the LOCA progam at TLC because the kids here always take the project above and beyond my expectations, they have magical imaginations!”
“They are then so proud of their pieces and that builds my artistic heart.” Keefe said.
Another student said “The art teachers don’t come often enough!”
“I want to be a scientist but I’ll keep doing art because it’s fun. I show it to my parents and they always want to put it up!”