Photo Courtesy Of Joanne Knight Los Altos Art Docents volunteers work with students at the Los Altos Educational Foundation anniversary celebration last month.

Los Altos Art Docents, a nonprofit group that provides art lessons for students in the Los Altos School District, hosted its annual Fall Seminar at the Adobe House in Mountain View Sept. 12.

The seminar, the 2012-2013 school-year kickoff event for the 42-year-old program, boasted tables decorated with origami vases, colorful recycled paper, floral arrangements and table coverings made of vintage maps in line with the group’s mission to recycle and repurpose.

The theme of this year’s seminar was “La Dolce Vita.”

“As Art Docents, we live the sweet life because we love what we do – bringing art into the classrooms and opening kids’ eyes to new things,” said Los Altos Art Docents President Kathy Bonte.

In addition to a speech by Bonte, the seminar included brief remarks from Los Altos School District Assistant Superintendent Alyssa Gallagher and the introduction of new board members.

Bay Area artist Kathryn Kenworth gave a presentation about her art and art installations created from recycled materials such as cardboard, paper and twigs. Kenworth discussed the nature of community, consumerism, perceived value and the environment.

After a slide show of her work, Kenworth guided docents through an activity involving recycled materials.

Docent officials said they gain their inspiration from artist Paul Klee’s quote: “A line is a dot that went for a walk.”

Los Altos Art Docents comprises 89 trained volunteers who teach hands-on art and art appreciation lessons in classrooms throughout the Los Altos School District. The Fall Seminar is one of many enrichment and educational opportunities in which docents participate to gain inspiration and keep their skills fresh.

Students in district schools take lessons from the docents, with topics including “Matisse Magic” and “Starry Night,” to learn about color, line, shape and technique.

Founded in 1970 in response to budget cuts in art instruction in the local public schools, Los Altos Art Docents provides nearly 700 lessons annually.

For more information, call 947-1195 or visit www.losaltosartdocents.org.

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