Highschoolers Join Art and Art History Summer CIVA Program
This summer, the Department of Art and Art History at Santa Clara University was pleased, once again, to host a summer arts and writing-intensive program for students from Downtown College Prep High School and Cristo Rey High School. Both schools traditionally serve low income would be first-generation college students. Thirty-eight students participated this year. Their grade levels ranged from rising sophomores to rising seniors.
Funded by a generous grant from the Hearst Foundation, the CIVA (Community Initiatives for Visual Art) program now in its sixth year, ran for five weeks. It offered students three free classes: writing, printmaking and ceramics. Students received free lunch and transportation to and from the University. The program also included a lunchtime seminar which brought in guest speakers, such as counselors from SCU’s undergraduate admissions office and representatives from the financial aid office well as Santa Clara students who talked about the process of choosing a college and a major.
Santa Clara University faculty taught the classes. Kelly Detweiler and Pancho Jiménez taught ceramics; Kathryn Kain taught printmaking, and Amy Lueck and Jacquelyn Hendricks taught writing. In addition, Victoria Russo, an art major, served as a teaching assistant in both a writing class and the printmaking classes. Victoria was also the coordinator for the lunchtime seminar program. Her position was part of the College of Arts and Sciences REAL program which places students in internships over the summer.
What students said about the CIVA Program:
“Before starting the program, I never thought I could be this good at ceramics.“
--sophomore DCP
“ I really enjoy this program because we get to experiment with our writing and art skills, and that has been very helpful.“
-sophomore Cristo Rey
“This program is a good opportunity to gain different skills and I know it will benefit me in the long run. “
-junior DCP
The program culminated in an art exhibit and video screening. The students’ artwork in printmaking and ceramics as well their video essays were displayed throughout the first floor of the Edward M Dowd Art and Art History Building.
On the evening of the last day of the program, a wonderful celebration of the students’ work and their accomplishments over the five weeks was held. Students and their families and numerous faculty and staff from across the University attended.
