Bringing Level Up Summer Camp to the ARTS Center!
What an incredible journey it's been! This year, we proudly celebrated our fourth year of partnership with the San Diego Foundations and the San Diego Unified School District's Level Up program. We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to share the transformative power of creativity with so many San Diego youth through this partnership over the last 4 years!
This summer, we welcomed over 70 students, spanning 3rd to 6th graders from the San Diego Unified School District, for an immersive two-week camp at the ARTS Center. From 8 AM to 5 PM each day, we crafted a space brimming with exciting and enriching art activities aimed at sparking creativity, boosting confidence and building relationships in our young participants.
With camps being held at the ARTS Center, our budding artists had the chance to explore the beauty of Kimball Park and spend some time in the sun on our patio, where they engaged in playful outdoor activities—what a fantastic way to enhance their summer experience!
A standout moment of our program was an awe-inspiring visit from the talented actors of Cygnet Theatre, who captivated our audience with performances of cherished musicals like *You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown*, *Seussical the Musical*, and the legendary *Wicked*. The joy in the theater was electric, and our young audience couldn’t contain their excitement, eagerly waiting for autographs and photos with the actors after the show—truly a day to remember!
“Your audience was, by far, the best they’ve had so far—respectful, attentive, and full of love. That speaks volumes about your program and the incredible work you and your teachers are doing.”
As we wrapped up an enriching two weeks, these young artists were excited to invite their parents and families to a final exhibition, celebrating the many artworks and creations they made with pizza and snacks. The young artists beamed with pride, showcasing the extraordinary work they had created. With the unwavering support of our amazing staff, students delved into a plethora of artistic expressions, from sculpting and painting to sewing, illustrating, gluing, beading, stitching, designing, and even laser cutting. The smiles on their faces highlighted the joy of their creative accomplishments!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this experience possible!
Our incredible ARTS on Campus team, consisting of over 30 individuals, is led by Program Coordinator Katie Carrion and ARTS on Campus Program Specialist Daniela Sebastian. Along with our talented teaching artists, teaching assistants, interns, and paraeducators, they have truly made this program a success! Their brilliant lesson planning and ability to keep youth engaged throughout long days shine all year long. They share their passion for education and creativity with young people of all ages through both on-campus sessions and programs at the ARTS Center year-round. We are extremely proud of our team and everything we have accomplished together over the past year, culminating in this very special summer program!
Teaching Artists
Isabella Cervantes
Jess Garcia
Kelsey Kenny
Lanae King
Leah Eria
Lillian Miller
Sheena Dowling
Zadé Landegger
Lerida Armendariz
Ulises Galicia
Teaching Assistants
Alisha Hensle
Amber Robinson
Barbara Salazar
Ever Parmely
Sora Gallagher
Aurora Cruz
Jannica Pascua
Sierra Roberson
Jerry Lopez
Interns
Sara Gonzalez
Raymundo Navarrete
Jocelyn Martinez
Paraeducators
Oliver Barrios
Madeline Ramirez
Natalie Martinez
“What I enjoyed the most was watching what they were making and hearing about the backstories behind their art. It was incredible to learn what purpose or meaning they ascribed to it. Getting to know them, seeing their expressive nature, and simply being there to listen and offer support was so meaningful to me.”
Read about Jocelyn’s internship experience on her blog post, where she reflects on her time with ARTS in the Youth Mental Health Academy program at the Child Mind Institute.
We hope all the youth and families in this program who got to experience the ARTS Center and National City for the first time in the program will come back and visit us again soon! We cant wait to witness the ongoing growth and creativity of these talented young artists.
As these young individuals embark on their personal journeys, we are excited to see how the transformative power of creativity will help them uncover their identities and pave paths to success in school, life, and future careers. Together, we’re making an impactful difference, one creative experience at a time!
