Aldea calendar of kids art hits the streets

By NATALIE HOFFMAN
Register Staff Writer

Created by young artists throughout Napa County, the Aldea Children and Family Services’ 2008 Children’s Art Therapy Calendar provides a glimpse into local children’s hopes and feelings.

With the help of a Napa designer, Resa Shore, and a San Francisco-based photographer, Heather Hryciw, the calendars feature the vibrant artwork of more than 30 local children.

Aldea Children and Family Services — which provides counseling for children and families, child welfare services and more — started producing the annual calendars nine years ago. Calendar proceeds average $30,000 every year, and all proceeds from the sales will support art therapy programs at Aldea, said Al Friedman, an art therapist at Aldea and the calendar’s founder.

With the exception of the calendar released in 2002, Aldea’s calendars won first place from 2000 to 2007 for the best nonprofit retail calendar by the Chicago-based Calendar Marketing Association, which receives hundreds of entries each year.

The recognition doesn’t stop there — Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, will present a calendar to each member of Congress during the holiday season, he said.

The works featured in the 2008 calendar were produced solely by local children who are participating in Aldea’s art therapy programs. Friedman said art therapy helps children build self-esteem because as they’re creating something, they’re learning to better express themselves.

“These kids can’t express themselves well in words alone, but drawing, painting and sculpting gets them comfortable and builds trust with the therapist. ... Art is a powerful release for bottled-up feelings,” he said.

Friedman said the children whose work is displayed in the calendar gained “a sense of pure pride and achievement and a lot of the kids carry the calendar to school with them every day.”

The selection process starts each spring for the annual calendar, he said, adding that staff members try to feature artwork from as many children as possible and include various forms of artwork, including sculpture, Styrofoam prints, mixed media and painting.

Friedman said it is the children’s choice to decide whether they want their artwork featured in Aldea’s calendar. “It’s always with the approval of the child. ... We keep all the children’s drawings in portfolios and storage. Nothing is thrown away. It’s a sign of respect.”

Alex, whose last name is being withheld for privacy reasons, created a pastel work titled “Harmony” that is included in the 2008 calendar. Although she no longer attends art therapy class, Alex, now 14 and a student at Napa High School, recommends it for others. “It was really fun when I was going. Mr. Friedman is there and he doesn’t really tell you to make any specific thing — just anything you feel like making. It was really nice to have that kind of openness.”

Friedman said Aldea staff will begin choosing artwork for the next calendar in May and he looks forward to getting the process started again.

“It’s been a really positive experience for the children, both in addressing their problems and creating pride in their achievements,” said Friedman.

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