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ART CLASSES at Orcas Island School District - Back to School! Back to Making Art!
ART CLASSES at Orcas Island School District - Back to School! Back to Making Art!
Art for Orcas Kids launched its 2025/26 elementary school art program in our new art room - shared with Farm to Classroom! Students jumped right in, exploring a wide range of materials including wood, cardboard, markers, paint, collage, colored pencils, and crayons to create their masterpieces. We’re excited for the year ahead and grateful to be supporting Orcas Island Elementary students with hands-on art opportunities every week.
Follow along this school year on Instagram @aokartfororcaskids and Facebook @aokart4orcaskids
NOTE: Parents - are you missing any student artwork? If you are missing any art pieces please email us at aokartfororcaskids@gmail.com - there are many items left from last year.
Let us know if you are interested in volunteering for the 2025/26 school year - check the above schedule and join us to help prep, assist and cleanup!
Thank you for helping us provide Visual Arts lessons for the Orcas Island Elementary School in 2025/26 by donating. We raised 79% of our request of $12,510 for two 20-week classes thanks to you!
A*OK provides lessons and art materials that help students become artists and critical problem solvers. We have been providing programming for the public school district since 2014. A*OK provides visual arts curriculum with art projects and experiences for all students at Orcas Island Elementary School and Orcas Island Montessori Public from K - 5th Grade.
Help us provide Visual Arts lessons for the Orcas Island Elementary School in 2025/26. A*OK provides lessons and art materials that help students become artists and critical problem solvers. We have been providing programming for the public school district since 2014. A*OK provides visual arts curriculum with art projects and experiences for all students at Orcas Island Elementary School and Orcas Island Montessori Public from K - 5th Grade.
We work to expand students' knowledge, teach craftsmanship and encourage inventive and free artistic expression. Your funding will support weekly classes and make them available for over 170 students. Thank you for your ongoing support for art in the public school.
Donate from May 6–15, 2025 https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=37970
Goal: Raise $12,500 to fund elementary art classes
2025 A*OK Annual Art Exhibit
This year the art exhibit showcases a collection of student artwork, highlighting a range of artistic techniques, cultural inspirations, and creative exploration across all grade levels. Each project reflects the students’ engagement with color, composition, texture, and form, as they experimented with various materials and artistic styles. Orcas Island School District Students selected the pieces that are showcased in the exhibit. We hope the Orcas Island community and families enjoy the beautiful work and consider a donation to keep A*OK in the public schools.
ART PROJECTS on EXHIBIT from 2024/25
Floral still life drawings
Chinese New Year Crayon-Resist Snakes
Texture Creatures
Gustav Klimt Golden Trees
BeachTrash mosaics
Shape ROBOTS!
Snowy Owls & Winter Landscapes
Cardboard Self-Portraits
Optical Illusion Agamographs
Plant Collages with Printed Leaves
Plus, Middle School Guest Artist Series: Printmaking, Felting, Charcoal Portraits & Painting
Theater Prop/Set Design for Plays
Thank you ALL!
Thank you ALL!
Thank you all for donating to A*OK in the GiveOrcas Holiday Campaign - our grant request was fully funded! Your donations help us bring weekly art classes to Orcas Island schools. We are deeply grateful for your belief in A*OK and our mission to make art accessible to all!
Please accept this Holiday Coloring page as our gift to you!
Local artists inspire Middle School students during exploratory art classes
Local artists inspire Middle School students during exploratory art classes
Orcas Island Middle School students have been treated to visits from six local artists who volunteered their time, each sharing their unique perspectives and techniques.
Brook Meinhardt taught a session on portrait illustration, guiding students as they sketched celebrities using pencils and paper. Inese Westcott worked with the class and shared her inspiring tree paintings then she allowed students to explore their creativity with acrylic paints. Inese was also instrumental in helping organize the guest artists to share their work. Artist David Densmore introduced an exercise in negative space drawing using paper, charcoal and chairs, while Khristy Kim taught students to map animal faces to draw them, resulting in colorful portraits of local farm animals. Susie Shipman delved into the world of printmaking, with students creating their own pumpkin-themed cards. The final session, led by Mandy Troxell, introduced students to the art of wool felting, providing a tactile 3-D artistic experience to create landscapes and creatures.
We want to thank the Orcas community for donating, supporting our local artists, and inspiring the next generation. After all, today’s students will be tomorrow’s artists, keeping the creative spirit of Orcas Island alive for years to come.
Welcome to Art Class!
Welcome to Art Class!
Art for Orcas Kids (A*OK) is a program of the nonprofit Orcas Island Education Foundation that provides visual art classes in the Elementary, OIMP and Middle School. It is our 10th year - we provide 20 weeks of elementary art classes and 36 weeks of Middle School Art Exploratory classes. Thank you to the Orcas Island School District and our donors for the ongoing support! Check out the new 2024/25 A*OK ART SCHEDULE CALENDAR 2024-25 for a list of weekly Elementary and Middle School offerings. Contact us at aokartfororcaskids@gmail.com if you have any questions about the program or if you would like to volunteer this year - if interested please fill out this volunteer form.
Art for Orcas Kids Gala & Art Auction, June 9th, 2024
Art for Orcas Kids Gala & Art Auction, June 9th, 2024
EVERYTHING IS AOK GALA & AUCTION on Sunday, June 9th, 2024 at Orcas Center. Thanks to the generosity of JoEllen Moldoff, 100 people will go home with an original painting on canvas by beloved island artist Stan Moldoff (1925-2020) after enjoying a lovely graze board experience, children's art viewing, wine, music, good company and a live auction of Stan's prominent paintings.
All proceeds go to supporting Art for Orcas Kids, a program of the Orcas Island Education Foundation. Thank you for giving and supporting art classes in the public schools since 2014.
Congratulations OIHS Class of 2024!
Congratulations OIHS Class of 2024!
The Orcas Island High School celebration of success for the class of 2024 will be streamed live June 14, 2023 at 10 am on NFHS Network and Graduation occurs on Saturday, June 15, 2023 at 2 pm
https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/orcas-island-high-school-eastsound-wa/evtd45e5f4189
A*OK has taught many of the graduates throughout the years from Elementary through High School.
Spring Give Orcas Coloring Page
Spring Give Orcas Coloring Page
Free Coloring Page for all our supporters! Thank you for giving and supporting art classes in the public schools since 2014. Get your FREE coloring page.
Spring Give Orcas Campaign 2024
Spring Give Orcas Campaign 2024
Help us provide Visual Arts lessons for the Orcas Island Middle School in 2024/25. Our skilled teachers offer lessons and art materials that help students become artists and critical problem solvers. We have been providing programming for the public school district since 2014.
A*OK provides visual arts curriculum with art projects and experiences for all students in the Middle School from the 6th Grade to the 8th Grade. We take pride in bringing art expression from artists from a variety of cultures and perspectives and we take pride in utilizing recycled materials in all of our classes.
We work to expand students' knowledge, teach craftsmanship and encourage inventive and free artistic expression. Your funding will support weekly classes and make them available for over 90 Middle School students plus this grant will help us to exhibit the work at the end of the school year. Thank you for your support for art in the public school.
Donate here: https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=32627
Annual Student Art Exhibit: Opening May 3, 2024
Annual Student Art Exhibit: Opening May 3, 2024
Each year in May, we feature an All Student Art Show - visit the art exhibit at the Orcas Center in Eastsound, WA. Experience the amazing art created by Orcas Island School District K-8 classes from May 3- June 12, 2024!
Opening Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Orcas Center.
Opening Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Orcas Center.
Art for Orcas Kids Selected for Governor's Mansion Holiday Ornaments
Art for Orcas Kids Selected for Governor's Mansion Holiday Ornaments
[Eastsound, WA] – [11/3/23] – Art for Orcas Kids (A*OK) is thrilled to announce its middle school art classes' selection to craft unique holiday ornaments for the 2023 Governor's Mansion tree.
Art classes statewide were invited to contribute ornaments for the Governor's Mansion holiday tree, themed "favorite sports" by First Lady, Mrs. Inslee. The K-12 student-created ornaments will grace the mansion throughout the holiday season.
A*OK's middle school art classes, led by Brook Meinhardt and a dedicated team of teachers, embraced the chance to creatively represent “favorite sports” by focusing on Washington State's sports team logos and mascots. Ms. Brook employed an innovative approach, using upcycled beach trash to form logos of iconic teams like the Seahawks, Kraken, and more. Through mosaic-style techniques, the students brought their artistic vision to life, using the cleaned beach trash plus everyday materials such as Elmer's glue and markers. The result is a stunning collection of sports-themed ornaments that will adorn the Governor's holiday tree.
Welcome to 2023/2024 school year!
Welcome to 2023/2024 school year!
The Orcas Island School District has provided Art for Orcas Kids an art room in the Elementary School.
A*OK is thrilled and would welcome visitors and volunteers to help with art classes this year
Come check out Room #433 in the Nellie S. Milton Building.
2nd Annual OIEF Spring BBQ
2nd Annual OIEF Spring BBQ
For over 30 years, the Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) has been supporting programming and essential services in our island's public schools. Join A*OK, F2C at the 2nd Annual Spring BBQ for food, music, activities for kids (of all ages) and a beautiful setting at Orcas Island Winery, Sunday, May 21 2-5p. Have you bought your tickets yet?
Buy your tickets here: www.OIEF.org
A*OK receives Community Accelerator Grant funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation + ArtsFund!
A*OK receives Community Accelerator Grant funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation + ArtsFund!
We are proud to announce that we are a recipient of a Community Accelerator Grant funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and awarded by ArtsFund!
This gift will accelerate Art for Orcas Kids efforts in bringing art lessons to the students of Orcas Island School District, A*OK is a program of OIEF and is an arts and cultural organization in the San Juan Islands in Washington State.
#AcceleratingWaArts #CommunityAccelerator2023 #WAGrants #AccelerateArts #ArtsFund
Congratulations OIHS Class of 2023!
Congratulations OIHS Class of 2023!
The Orcas Island High School celebration of success for the class of 2023 will be streamed live June 16, 2023 at 10 am on NFHS Network
https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/orcas-island-high-school-eastsound-wa/evt24bd5b29dd
and Graduation occurs on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 2 pm
https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/orcas-island-high-school-eastsound-wa/evt5b8bd7ffa3
A*OK has taught most of the graduating students throughout the years from Elementary through High School.
Next week we will celebrate the 8th Grade Promotion on Thursday, June 22 at 11 am.
Free Winter Break Coloring page from A*OK by Ms Brook
Free Winter Break Coloring page from A*OK by Ms Brook
A*OK shows off student art in the 2022 Festival of Trees at Rosario Resort on Orcas Island
A*OK shows off student art in the 2022 Festival of Trees at Rosario Resort on Orcas Island
Orcas Elementary students made stars and other creatures to adorn our festive tree. Thank you to all who visited and especially to those who donated by vote!
[2022/23] Art Club meets once per week and its FREE! Students can work on a variety of pieces, learn techniques and begin to add to that portfolio. Find out more information by emailing aokartfororcaskids@gmail.com or stop by!
Art Programs in Washington State (2023) funded by ArtsWA through Arts in Education Grants with funding from the Washington State Legislature.
Art Programs in Washington State (2023) funded by ArtsWA through Arts in Education Grants with funding from the Washington State Legislature.
SEATTLE TIMES ARTICLE - April 1, 2020
Free art kits keeping Orcas Island students busy with schools shut because of coronavirus
By Scott Hanson
Seattle Times staff reporter
An idea from artist Brook Meinhardt is helping Orcas Island students stay busy while their schools are closed due to the coronavirus.
Meinhardt, an Orcas Island art teacher and program director of Art for Ooief.org/art_for_orcas_kids/ rcas Kids, which brings artists into classrooms to work with kids, has been handing out free, age-appropriate art kits to students in all grades.
“The minute schools closed, I thought of things I would do with my kids to keep them busy when they came home, and I thought of all my students and thought I could easily put together some kind of an art kit for school kids,” Meinhardt said. “Almost immediately, I got the OK to do it, so I was thrilled.”
Meinhardt, who has taught in Orcas Island schools for five years, said there are a lot of activities in the kits and she has been told she should simplify them, “but I keep thinking of the kids.” “I want them to be so excited and entertained because it’s such a bummer of a time right now,” she added. “Each packet (for younger kids) has three or four different art exercises or projects.”
The kits for high school students are centered on a graphic novel project that she was hoping to begin before schools closed. “I put together a pretty intense cartooning program,” she said.
Meinhardt said she is making new art kits each week and “I’m getting amped up to do it again.” The first week she gave out 73. She said she is getting new orders every hour and this past week gave out 127 (there are 464 students in the Orcas Island District, according to its website).
“It’s getting crazy because I am doing it all myself,” said Meinhardt, who said she is spending about five or six hours a day on the project. The items in the art kits have either been donated or are items that are being reused.The Exchange, a reuse store on the island that is run by Meinhardt’s former husband, Peter Moe, has helped sponsor the program by donating items for her to use. “It was kind of a no-brainer to help out with a project like that,” Moe said.
Meinhardt came up with the idea before she knew that Art for Orcas Kids would pay her to do this. “I did it because I wanted to help the families on Orcas Island,” she said. “I knew I could do it, and I was pretty determined to do it no matter what. I was going to really miss my students and I loved the idea of staying connected to them.”
The feedback has been phenomenal, Meinhardt said, from thank-you notes to pictures of the completed artwork from the kits. Meinhardt gives students their first assignment when she responds to their emailed order, asking them to make a sign that has the word “art” on it that can be displayed when they pick up their art kit.
“For the hour and a half I handed them out, there was so much joy and laughter, even though I was 6 feet away from the kids,” she said.
“Arts education has the ability to change the trajectory of a child. It points them toward the possible, breathes into them creativity and vision, and allows them to experience a life-altering confidence. It has helped create safe spaces for me when depression and darkness have surrounded me. . . . Arts education has helped me be seen by the world. I would not be the same without it.”
“Arts education has the ability to change the trajectory of a child. It points them toward the possible, breathes into them creativity and vision, and allows them to experience a life-altering confidence. It has helped create safe spaces for me when depression and darkness have surrounded me. . . . Arts education has helped me be seen by the world. I would not be the same without it.”
—LEVAR A. JONES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PROJECT GOODMEN, WASHINGTON, D.C.
—LEVAR A. JONES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PROJECT GOODMEN, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Quote from Arts for Lifes Sake publication (American Academy of Arts & Sciences, 2021)
The Madrona Club’s Robin DiGeorgio Endowment supports A*OK
The Madrona Club’s Robin DiGeorgio Endowment supports A*OK
It is with great pleasure that the Orcas Island Education Foundation announces that it has been awarded a $3000 grant from the Madrona Club’s Robin DiGeorgio Endowment to support AOK (Art for Orcas Kids). The mission of the Robin DiGeorgio Endowment is “to fund charitable and educational endeavors.”
Spring Give Orcas Coloring Page
Spring Give Orcas Coloring Page
Free Coloring Page for all our supporters! Thank you for giving and supporting art classes in the public schools since 2014. Get your FREE coloring page.
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