Participant Biographies and Project Descriptions

Pat MacGillis
Pat’s love and interest in the visual arts began in elementary school. Her fondness for art grew with her regular visits to art museums and interest in arts and crafts. Not long after moving from New York to San Diego to pursue a degree in social science and a career in social work, Pat returned to school to earn a teaching credential that enabled her to teach art in high school and in adult education classes. Pat went on to further her education in art, taking textile, weaving, mixed media, and painting courses. For the past twenty years she has shared her art expertise through popular art classes and workshops for adults and children. Most recently Pat has devoted her time to creating paintings and mixed-media artworks inspired by meditation, yoga, and the natural beauty found in the native Torrey Pines trees and nearby ocean. “I think,” she states, “That along the coast there’s a feeling of freedom about not having to follow traditions and being able to be creative and to express yourself.”

At The Boys and Girls Club in Encinitas Pat teaches children ages six to fourteen how to express themselves through art. Since the children served at The Boys and Girls Club do not have access to art education or cultural life enriching experiences, Pat leads the children in hands-on art projects that introduce new art skills and visual ways to communicate. Guided by her project’s theme, “Wishes and Dreams,” Pat’s students explore various art materials and techniques to create visual expressions of their personal wishes, wishes for family, wishes for school/education, their neighborhood, the environment or wishes for the world. Her goal is for children to gain a sense of success, confidence, and achievement in doing art. Through the art process children increase their imaginative thinking, problem solving skills, and creativity. “This project,” she states, “Is very important to me because it is an opportunity to make a difference in children’s lives. It is an opportunity to share my skills, values, life wisdom, and love of art.”