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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 AwardThey 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.

papier mache hearts

Meet the Co-Founders

Kate and Hazel, 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

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Luis Booth

Teaching Staff

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

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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

Emelyn Rosalio

Teaching Staff

My favorite color is purple and I love chocolate ice cream.

Sabian

Sabian Burley

Teaching Staff

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

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Luke Freeman

Teaching Staff

My favorite colors are blue and black and my favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla.

Jolene

Jolene Morales

Teaching Staff

My favorite color is purple and I love Rock Road ice cream.

Christine

Christine Fernandez

Teaching Staff

My favorite color is green and my favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate malted krunch.

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Emily Lau

Teaching Staff

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

David

David Campbell

Teaching Staff

My favorite color is purple and my favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip.

MAYA LIN ELEMENTARY

Hayden

Hayden Demmon

Teaching Staff

My favorite color is gray and I love Cherry Garcia!

Frankie

Frankie Trevor

Teaching Staff

My favorite color is yellow and I eat cookies and cream ice cream whenever I can.

Jake

Jake Cuenca

Teaching Staff

My favorite color is purple and mint chip is my favorite ice cream flavor.

OTIS ELEMENTARY

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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.

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Stephanie Bailey

Teaching Staff

My favorite color is fuchsia and my favorite ice cream flavor is pineapple coconut.

Sierra

Sierra Camarillo

Teaching Staff

My favorite color is pink and I love strawberry ice cream. (yummy and pink)

Ron

Ron Whittaker

Site Director

My favorite color is rainbow.  I usually like any ice cream with caramel.

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Mizan Chin

Teaching Staff

My favorite color is rainbow.  I usually like any ice cream with caramel.

Elyjah

Elyjah Rayndles

Teaching Staff

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

Andrea

Andrea Jasso

Teaching Staff

My favorite ice cream is lavender and when I have ice cream I pick honey lavender

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