By JUDITH WILSON
Sounds of the rainforest filled Kimball Hall at St. Stephen’s Church when children at Camp Create put some new skills to work.

The Camp Create Showcase, which took place on Friday, August 6, was the culmination of the one-week camp that brings children from three communities — Manzanita in Marin City, the Canal Community Alliance in San Rafael and Belvedere-Tiburon together to explore forms of artistic expression, make new friends and have fun.

Enthusiastic drumming started the show, as Wade Peterson, who has been an instructor at Camp Create for four years, led children in a demonstration of West African music. “You can work and have fun at the same time,” he said, explaining that music often accompanies hard work because it provides motivation.

The music of Meso-America came next under the direction of Ernesto Hernandez Olmos, who taught children how to dance and play instruments, such as maracas, that come from nature in a tribute to Mother Earth. He also added some culture, with a little Mayan and Aztec history and language.

Art also was on display, and among the week’s activities, mixed media artist Laila Espinoza encouraged children to use different media in their paintings, which was a new concept for them. “We told a story using acrylic paint and fabric at the same time,” she said. “They had to expand their minds.”

Nana-Dictta Graves, who specializes in art using collage, mosaics and recycled materials, showed campers how to use fruit and vegetables to create patterns. “ I believe everyone has talent in some way,” she said.

Read the complete story
and more inTHE ARK Subscribe NOW