IN THE CLASSROOM: Locals color art education

Holding his pristine white hat in one hand, Seaman Nick McConnell — a recent graduate of the Coast Guard Academy — watched kids create valentines for the U.S. Military.

On three successive Wednesdays in January, Top of the World Elementary students had the opportunity to go to the multipurpose room during lunch to participate in a variety of arts and crafts as part of the free, PTA-sponsored Local Color program.

McConnell’s mother is a kindergarten aide at the school; her son, a 2003 graduate of Laguna Beach High School, was at home on nine days’ leave before departing for his new digs at the Coast Guard military base on Kodiak Island, Alaska — the largest Coast Guard base in the world.

McConnell described his future duties, including training in search and rescue, to enraptured students, while others decorated peace sign-laden cards reading “USA Rocks” and “Come Home Safe.”

McConnell carefully hung the completed cards on lines of string to dry.

“I’m really fortunate,” he said.

Across the room, artists including Sawdust Art Festival exhibitor Douglas Miller offered suggestions and led activities for the students.

Miller set out small paintings he had made, covered in plastic, for the kids to draw inspiration from. Rather than hang as they would in a Sawdust booth, the paintings sat on lunch tables beside blank canvases and palettes.

“It’s a truly wonderful concept that ties in the city’s historical roots as an artist colony, with support from today’s artists for bringing the visual arts to our community’s youth,” Top of the World PTA President Kathleen Fay said.

“TOW has enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with our local artists through the Local Color program for many years. It is exciting to see the enthusiasm of our students as they interact with professional artists and create products of which they are very proud.”

At other tables, kids decorated wooden necklaces, painted tote bags with glitter, and decorated pillowcases with stamps and signatures.

Students from first to fifth grade talked about how they looked forward to the long-standing arts sessions.

“Local Color is a terrific opportunity to meet local artists and design a unique art piece,” Top of the World PTA Local Color Chairwoman Michelle Sinclair said.

“The children enjoy having more art, and I am so glad that TOW PTA can provide this creative outlet for the kids.”

At one popular corner of the room, kids made worry dolls with clothespins and an endless array of fabric patches.

The glittery tote bags proved to be the hot item that day, “selling out” within minutes, but kids quickly found other activities to keep them busy, under the gaze of proud parents and local painters.

“In an artists’ colony such as Laguna, it is critical that we expose our students to the wealth of experience and appreciation for the arts through community connections such as this outstanding program,” Principal Ron LaMotte said.