3rd Annual CAC Art Competition
and Balance4kids Art Exhibition

Click here to see all the art submissions!

Community Advisory Committee and Balance4Kids Art Show and Poster Competition bring teachers, students and families together.

Poster Contest Winner

There was a festive atmosphere in the COE boardroom last Tuesday evening (Feb 24) as live music played and administrators, teachers, students, families and friends chatted and enjoyed scrumptious appetizers. The occasion was the third annual CAC and Balance4kids Art Show reception, celebrating the artistic talents of students with special needs in Santa Cruz County. Approximately one hundred people attended.


Popular Vote Winner

The art had brightened the walls of the COE building throughout February. The theme was “Under the Sun” and the students had been free to interpret this, as they liked, resulting in many different ideas such as “Chasing Rainbows”, “Big Cloud”, “Super Heroes” and “William the Leopard.” All those attending had the opportunity to look at the art and vote for the one picture that they liked the best. Also three local artists, Gayle Ortiz, Jill Tardif and Lori Wilson were enlisted as judges and given the task of choosing one picture to be used for this year’s CAC poster, which is put on display at every public school site.

With seventy-seven entries the art show has grown in popularity since its inception two years ago and students from pre-school through post-secondary education took part. The concept for the Art Exhibition and Reception was the brainchild of Wendy Harrison, who continues to coordinate the event each year. The art was of a high standard and showcased the students’ sense of color and texture, imagination and creativity. The students who were able to attend were delighted to see their work on display and proud to show their work to family and friends. The music was provided by Lite Blue and helped make the event both relaxing and fun.

The event was sponsored by BALANCE4Kids, a non-profit agency that fundraises to provide grants to teachers, provides instructional aides in the classroom and provides respite help and after school activities for students with special needs at Kids Quest and The Club Quest Social Center. The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) also sponsors the event. The CAC is a group of parents, educators and other interested community members, who want to make a difference in the education of all of our children. The goal of the CAC is to improve and protect the education of children with special needs.