
ABOUT US
What if you had a crazy idea to do something you love and it worked?
It's called Alameda Arts!
Alameda Arts was born in January 2012 at a time when Paden Elementary School did not have an on-site after school program. Returning from a PTA meeting Kate proclaimed, “I know what we are going to do to change our lives!” She took a leap of faith, quit her job in the city and started at Paden with five students enrolled. Kate and Hazel looked through their cupboards for supplies, friends and family did the same, they recycled whatever they could because of their tight budget. Hazel followed, quitting her city job and started at Maya Lin Elementary with fifteen students that August.
Kate translated her love of children, art and her passion for helping families into the founding of Alameda Arts. Together Kate and Hazel saw a need in Alameda for a quality after-school experience that centered around the child. Being moms first has helped them built a joyful community of families who value the importance of children choosing how to play and learn after school.
Alameda Arts has grown to four schools, two summer camps, and includes hundreds of kids getting messy with art and running on playgrounds. In 2017 Alameda Arts was the recipient of an Alameda Education Foundation Innovative Program Award. They now teach about growing this model of arts education to educators around the country.
Kate and Hazel launched Create Like a Kid TM in 2020 to make space for grown ups to tap into their inner child, connect with others, and exercise their creativity. They continue to provide innovative programming for children after school, summer, and online art store.

Meet the Co-Founders

Hazel
Originally from Plattsburgh NY, Hazel has lived in the Bay Area for more than thirty years and does not miss the snow. She loves a good adventure and a good laugh with friends. She graduated from San Francisco State and worked many years in food service. Her travels brought her to many far away lands including Egypt, Thailand, Israel, India, Australia, Mexico and Europe but landed her back in Alameda. She enjoyed collecting ideas and treasures along the way.
Hazel and her daughter Isabella are Tap Dancing Christmas Trees! She loves spending time with friends and family, knitting, playing card games and creating all sorts of art. She is grateful for the daily adventures of being surrounded by her little friends.
Kate
Being fifth in a family of twelve children has made Kate a flexible and thoughtful person who knows how to have fun! Hailing from Palos Verdes Peninsula, she moved to the Bay Area in the 80s, later settling in Alameda when she and Ron had their two boys. Working long hours in the food service industry and missing time with her family nudged her to make a change. Her work as a pre-school teacher along with her studies in theater and singing have added to the gifts she shares with the kids.
When not in the classroom, you will find Kate hiking with friends, and taking bike rides with her family. She loves a messy art project and enjoys practicing them at home. You will often see Ms Kate at a ball game or kids productions, she tries not to miss them. She loves a good book and time with friends. Kate has two college-aged sons about to leave the nest. Thankfully, she has lots of kids in Alameda to love.
Alameda Arts Staff
PADEN ELEMENTARY

Luis Booth
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is blue and I can't eat ice cream, but I do love mangos for my dessert.

Kyle Hoffman
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is black (I know it isn't really a color)and my favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate.

Emelyn Rosalio
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is purple and I love chocolate ice cream.

Sabian Burley
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is green and I love all the flavors of Jeni's Ice Cream!

Luke Freeman
Teaching Staff
My favorite colors are blue and black and my favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla.

Jolene Morales
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is purple and I love Rock Road ice cream.

Christine Fernandez
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is green and my favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate malted krunch.

Emily Lau
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is green and I love green tea ice cream. (I kind of like all things green)

David Campbell
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is purple and my favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip.
MAYA LIN ELEMENTARY

Hayden Demmon
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is gray and I love Cherry Garcia!

Frankie Trevor
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is yellow and I eat cookies and cream ice cream whenever I can.

Jake Cuenca
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is purple and mint chip is my favorite ice cream flavor.
OTIS ELEMENTARY

Ornella Soto
Site Director
My favorite color is green because it reminds me of the earth. My favorite ice cream is strawberry because it is a classic.

Stephanie Bailey
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is fuchsia and my favorite ice cream flavor is pineapple coconut.

Sierra Camarillo
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is pink and I love strawberry ice cream. (yummy and pink)

Ron Whittaker
Site Director
My favorite color is rainbow. I usually like any ice cream with caramel.

Mizan Chin
Teaching Staff
My favorite color is rainbow. I usually like any ice cream with caramel.

Elyjah Rayndles
Teaching Staff
My favorite colors are brown and blue and I always choose chocolate when I have ice cream.

Andrea Jasso
Teaching Staff
My favorite ice cream is lavender and when I have ice cream I pick honey lavender