Workshop Examines Art-Science Link

With biologist Jason Ho and artist Janet Kessler leading the way, participants in Sunday’s family workshop sponsored by the Westside Arts Center will explore the connection between art and science.

First, there will be a walk through Will Rogers State Park to study the environment, with an emphasis on Native American animals and plants. The group will collect leaves and other artifacts as they go and then head back to a work area to incorporate them in drawings, paintings and rubbings.

The workshop, part of a monthly series, is designed to “allow children to draw something as they see it rather than from memory,” said Carlyn Clark, center director. “It gets them to look very carefully at nature.”

The workshop begins at 10 a.m. and costs $12 per family. “These are definitely family workshops where parents and children spend time together,” Clark said.

Founded 3 Years Ago

The Westside Arts Center was started in 1981 by three parents who were disturbed about art class cutbacks in public schools as a result of Proposition 13. Three years ago, the center found permanent space at McKinley School in Santa Monica, allowing them to expand their art programs. There are studio art classes for ages 2 to 12, all taught by professional artists, as well as classes for teen-agers and adults, workshops and parent-education seminars.

Creative Storytelling Techniques, a parents-only session on how to tell stories to kids, begins Feb. 18.

Reservations for Sunday’s workshop: (213) 453-3966.