Participant Biographies and Project Descriptions

Jane LaFazio
Jane is a professional visual artist who has been exhibiting her creative paintings and art pieces throughout San Diego County for the past fifteen years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian Studies and an Associate of Arts degree in Graphic Design and is also an experienced and acclaimed art instructor. Jane especially enjoys working with children and has taught elementary school art classes for the past six years. Jane feels that teaching art to children helps instill the value of creativity at a young age, and the confidence to be expressive artistically so that, “…kids can remain artists throughout their lives!”
For the past year through a Senior Artist Project (SAP) grant Jane offered two-hour creative art classes twice weekly to fourth and fifth grade children at the Escondido Children’s Museum located in an area that is surrounded by lower income neighborhoods. Since the local children do not have access to any art instruction, Jane guides the kids in discovering the joy and power of creativity through hands-on projects. During each session, the children learn art skills and problem solving while learning about the world we live in through natural sciences and international culture. The popularity and success of Jane’s program confirmed her abilities to inspire children through the arts. Evident through the creativity and positive energy found in the classroom, the kids developed confidence with artmaking and with themselves. Jane was rewarded a second SAP grant to continue her program, entitled “Mundo Lindo-Beautiful World,” for another year. At the culmination of each 8-week session Jane organizes and hosts an invitational reception and exhibition of the children’s art for the student’s family and friends. “Mundo Lindo” is chronicled on Jane’s blog.