Power of CAA Teacher Grants Spark Student Creativity in Area Schools

By David Scholz

As 2025 winds to a close, we want to spotlight the creative spirit going on in area schools thanks to the Teacher Grants made possible through the Concord Art Association.

Among this past year’s recipients is Mabel Ventriglia who used the funds to purchase art supplies to organize projects for students in the SDC TK-Grade 2 classroom at Sun Terrace Elementary School, which she noted has made a big difference in her students' creative experiences.

In April, the students used new chalk to create Piet Mondrian-inspired art, and during spring, Easter bags were decorated with dot markers, crayons, and tissue paper flowers.

A unit on plants came alive with what Ventriglia described as “ fluffy “dirt” made from glue, shaving cream, and brown paint,” and topped with yellow tissue paper sunflowers.

For Mother’s Day, the students got creative with salt, glue, and watercolors to make heartfelt art for the amazing women in our students’ lives.

“We even mixed borax and water to make oobleck for a hands-on science and art activity,” Ventriglia said.

The fun continues daily as students explore with chalk at recess, mold animals from playdough, and create mess-free fall leaves to brighten our classroom.

“Thank you again for helping us nurture creativity and joy in our classroom,” she shared.

The variety of activities that Ventriglia developed this year and certain to be used going forward further reflects what can have happen through the generous grants the CAA has awarded and will continue to distribute to area teachers in 2026.

At Monte Gardens Elementary, Arts Specialist Jen White shared work made by her students, created from pan watercolors and Sharpie markers purchased through her Teacher Grant. Inspired by the vibrant, expressive style of British-Canadian artist Ted Harrison, the students painted the Northern lights using watercolors, then with the markers, created textured animals in the foreground for an Arctic Animals in a Winter Landscape art project.

White explains that the blend of media, "allowed [students] to engage deeply with color, contrast, and composition while discovering the joy of artistic expression."

White said that the CAA Teacher Grant helped to enrich the children's creative process while fostering confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Thank you, Mabel and Jen, for providing arts education to MDUSD students throughout the year. Donations to CAA and its Teacher Grant program can be made here.