ARTIST WORKSHOP PROGRAM
15 Artist-Mentors | 250+ Student Artists
Morongo Unified School District’s ELOP After School Program
MUSIC/PERFORMANCE VIDEO
Video Editing by Jorge Davies, Graphics by Melissa Sabol
October 9, 2024 - May 28, 2025 | 4 Seven-Week Rotations | 319 Class Days
250+ Students | 11 Elementary Schools
OVERVIEW
Rooted in the vibrant creative spirit of the High Desert, Groundwork Arts brings practicing local artists into classrooms, transforming school sites into spaces of experimentation, storytelling, and self-discovery. Each Wednesday, students explore visual art, music, and performance with practicing artists from their own community—artists who bring unique tools, stories, and creative approaches into the classroom. From hand-built ceramics and 3D paper sculpture to songwriting, percussion, gameboard design, indigo dyeing, and joyful movement, every workshop became a space to experiment, express, and feel seen.
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These immersive, artist-led experiences go beyond traditional art classes. They offer something powerful: the chance to dive deep, discover new skills, and find one’s voice. In a rural region where arts access can be limited, this program builds a meaningful bridge between young dreamers and the artistic inspirations that surround them.
“In every classroom, we see young artists light up when they’re given space to be bold, to be messy, to be themselves. This exhibition is more than just a showcase—it’s a testament to what happens when students are trusted as creators. Their work is raw, joyful, inventive, and full of heart. It’s everything art should be.”
— Rhonda Lane Coleman, Director of Groundwork Arts
EXHIBITIONS
BRUSHES, BEATS, AND BEYOND
Artist-Inspired Student Work // Two Student Exhibitions - East & West
Showing April - June 2025
Students also had the opportunity to share their artwork in two public exhibitions with community partners, the 29 Palms Visitor Center through the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC) and the Joshua Tree National Park Black Rock Art Gallery (BRAG).
CITY OF 29 PALMS VISITOR CENTER | PAAC
EAST Opening April 10, 2025 // Showing through June (date TBD)
Students selected from Condor, Oasis, Palm Vista, and Twentynine Palms Elementary will be exhibiting their artwork. The show will consist of ceramics, abstract paintings, and indigo dyeing. Both exhibitions will feature a short video of the music and performance classes.
BLACK ROCK ART GALLERY | JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
WEST Opening April 17, 2025 // Showing through September (date TBD)
Students selected from Friendly Hills, Joshua Tree, Landers, Mornong Valley, Onaga, Yucca Mesa, and Yucca Valley Elementary will be exhibiting their artwork. The show will consist of expressive painting, board game creation, art quilts, bead making, mixed media cyanotype collage, and paper clay sculpture. Both exhibitions will feature a short video of the music and performance classes.
TEACHING ARTISTS
Michael Balderas
Mary Evans
Jen Shakti
Loisa Bartlett
Marisol 'Sparkz'
Gomez
Tayler Straziuso
Kait Bretz
Alia Rafiq
Devino Tricoche
Heather Drake
Nigel Roman
Marcia Winn
Ivah Drake
Tyler Saraca
Wulfpak
PROJECTS
SAME OLD SONG AND DANCE
MUSIC
Students learned basic music theory concepts using interactive group activities, focusing on song and dance. The lessons progressively built skills in rhythm, pitch, melody, harmony, and musical expression.
MICHAEL BALDERAS
A local musician and experienced guitar teacher with over 20 years of experience playing in bands across various genres, from 50s classics to today’s hits. For the past 16 years, Mike has been dedicated to teaching guitar and tutoring music. He aims to provide kids at GroundworkAtrs with a solid foundation in music theory, sparking their interest in engaging with music—whether through singing, rhythm, or picking up an instrument.
READY, SET, QUILT!
FIBER ARTS PROJECT
Students learned to create hanging art quilts using a variety of fabrics and various materials that can be lightly glued onto a fabric panel and then stitched into place using a needle and thread. Through imagination and the help of books and music, the students told their stories through their quilts.
LOISA BARTLETT
A California native and textile artist with a focus on woven fabrics because of their versatility and abundance of colors and textures. Influenced by previous generations of quilters and seamstresses in her family, Loisa learned to quilt during a difficult time and discovered its powerful calming effect. During the pandemic of 2020, making cloth masks for her community, friends, and family led to the creation of colorful bowls, baskets, and ever-evolving fabric art.
EXPRESS YOURSELF
MIXED-MEDIA PAINTING PROJECT
Students immersed themselves in expressive painting using a variety of mixed media techniques. Throughout the program, students explored visual rhythm and motion while also learning about key artistic concepts like negative space, composition, the golden ratio, the rule of thirds, and layering.
KAIT BRETZ
A multidisciplinary visual artist living in Landers, CA. She specializes in large-format paintings, murals, and street art. Her methods allow projects to develop according to what is available, using found objects and materials. Her style is expressionistic, inspired by nature, poetry, current events, and anonymous street art. She seeks to contribute to the cultural zeitgeist in the language of image and symbol, using a blend of oil, acrylic, and spray paint to bring images to life.
GET TO KNOW INDIGO!
FIBER ARTS PROJECT
Students explored the process of indigo vat dyeing using simple Japanese Shibori folding techniques to create one-of-a-kind designs on fabric. They learned about the rich history of one of the world’s oldest natural dyes, the ancient Japanese art of Shibori and the science behind the seemingly magical qualities of indigo vat dyeing.
HEATHER DRAKE
A multimedia teaching artist who lives and works in 29 Palms. She holds a BA in Art Education from Cal State San Bernardino and is a certified California Naturalist. She has worked as an Art and Naturalist Educator and Camp Director with public charter schools throughout Southern California. Heather’s work is inspired by her love of nature and cultural anthropology. Humor and irony are often at the heart of her work, which incorporates ideas sparked by upcycled materials and nostalgic pop culture references from her 1980s childhood.
SHAPES TO FORM
DRAWING PROJECT
With just a pencil and a little imagination, students unlocked the secrets of drawing! In each class, they learned to break down complex images into simple shapes, making it easier to bring their ideas to life. With every sketch and stroke, they built confidence, creativity, and a new way of seeing the world through art.
IVAH DRAKE
Ivah Drake is an illustrator and multimedia artist based in 29 Palms, CA. Neurodivergent, she found art to be a refuge and a space to thrive. Her work is featured locally at venues like Goat Mountain and Space Truckin’ Gallery, and she’s a member of the Sunspot artist co-op at Art Queen in Joshua Tree. With experience assisting in high school art classes and summer programs, she continues to hone her skills, including a summer at Idyllwild Arts Academy. Ivah plans to study at Copper Mountain College, pursuing book or graphic novel illustration while growing her career in the Morongo Basin’s vibrant art community.
SCUPLT IT!
SCULPTURE PROJECT
Students explored the fundamental principles of sculpture, including form, texture, scale, orientation, and proportion. Each session began with brainstorming and sketching ideas, followed by learning the step-by-step process of sculpture building using recycled materials. Students created a three-dimensional sculpture that incorporates the art of paper mache and the use of acrylic paint. This project encouraged experimentation, problem-solving, and personal expression.
MARY EVANS
An interdisciplinary artist who creates dynamic environments that push the boundaries of two mediums: sculpture and video. She is known for creating large-scale papier mache sculptures used in immersive sets to craft her own visual language. Mary holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Evergreen State College and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Oregon. Influenced by the Southern folk art of her upbringing in Franklin, Tennessee, she blends DIY craft with themes of transformation and imagination. Her work often incorporates playful elements, reflecting a hands-on approach to creativity.
SPARKING YOUR INNER CLOWN
PROP-MAKING & PERFORMANCE PROJECT
Students explored the art of clowning through movement, storytelling, and visual design. Each session began with a high-energy ribbon dance to build confidence and spatial awareness, followed by an engaging puppet show. Students developed their own clown identity, costumes, puppets, and props.
MARISOL 'SPARKZ' GOMEZ
Blends circus arts, performance, and visual design. From murals and costumes to puppets and performances, her work inspires laughter, imagination, and courage. Marisol is on a mission to build a “joy army”—a movement that helps kids and adults embrace play, expression, and the true art of clowning.
DREAM WORLDS
MIXED-MEDIA PROJECT
In this hands-on, mixed-media project, students learned about a simple, non-toxic photographic process using cyanotypes (a camera-less photographic technique) while incorporating collage, drawing, and painting to create a unique “dream world.”
ALIA RAFIQ
A California-based photographer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Academy of Art University. Drawing inspiration from the natural world and ephemeral beauty, she blends traditional and experimental techniques to create dreamlike imagery. Working with cyanotype, Polaroid, film, and digital photography, she focuses on creating striking composites that tell evocative stories. Alia embraces imperfection, incorporating mixed media elements like resin and glitter to enhance the dark allure of her work. Her art celebrates transformation, exploring the delicate balance between light and shadow, reality and fantasy.
MR. NIGEL'S MUSIC ROOM
MUSIC PROJECT
An experimental space where students explored the heart of music—rhythm, melody, harmony, and song. The focus isn’t on becoming musicians but on building a personal and meaningful connection to sound. Through goofy group activities and fun songwriting experiments, students learned to trust their musical instincts.
NIGEL ROMAN
A singer/songwriter, sound engineer, and multi-instrumentalist from Joshua Tree with over 15 years performing in local bands like Beats and Rhymes, LANDROID, ROBBERS, and King Madre. His music blends elements of jazz, folk-Americana, and powerful, soul-stirring vocals that invite listeners to connect more deeply with themselves.
FIND YOUR RHYTHM!
MUSIC - PERCUSSION PROJECT
Students dove into the world of percussion by playing traditional rhythm instruments and learning about their cultural origins and history. They built a foundation in rhythm by moving, listening, playing games, and making music together. Each session helped students internalize pulse, rhythm, and timing—and then gives them space to shine in their very own solo performances.
TYLER SARACA
A drummer, producer, and educator whose 20+ years of touring and studio experience come alive in his work with young musicians. Since his move to Joshua Tree in 2013, he’s become a vital part of the local music scene collaborating with artists like Gene Evaro Jr., Desert Rhythm Project, the Adobe Collective the experimental duo Q.varo.
GAME ON!
MIXED-MEDIA PROJECT
This 6-week course focused on the elements of creating an original board game. Students used a variety of mixed-media art techniques to decorate and design the board, cards, spinners, game pieces, and dice. At the start of each class, they discussed ideas for exciting gameplay, including rules and goals. At the end of the course, students ended up with a unique, fun, and playable game that can be shared with family and friends.
JEN SHAKTI
An award-winning artist whose focus is acrylic on canvas. Her formal education includes 2 years at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Laguna College of Art and Design, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Jen’s passion for the desert ecosystem is showcased in her Desert HeART painting series, and her work has been shown at the Yucca Valley Film Festival and in local galleries. She enjoys sharing art tips and techniques on her YouTube channel and participates annually in the Highway 62 Open Studio Art Tours.
HOORAY FOR CLAY!
CERAMIC HAND-BUILDING PROJECT
Students explored the art of clay sculpting and unlocked their creativity in this beginner hand-building class. In a small group setting, students learned step-by-step techniques for working successfully with clay. Each week, they were given essential tools and guidance needed to enhance their hand-building skills. By the end of the course, students created ceramic pieces using a combination of techniques learned in class and left with completed works of art that reflected their growth and creativity.
TAYLER STRAZIUSO
A full-time ceramicist and part-time teaching artist based in 29 Palms. Her love for ceramics began in a high school art class and led to a degree from Cal State Long Beach. After graduation, she launched her first line of functional pottery, combining form and function with artistry. Now rooted in the Mojave Desert, Tayler draws inspiration from its earthy colors, desert wildlife, and breathtaking sunsets. Influenced by vintage homewares, she creates artful, everyday pieces that evoke nostalgia, a connection to place and celebrate the beauty of daily rituals.
THAT'S ABSTRACT!
PAINTING PROJECT
Students investigated the fundamentals of abstract painting and learned to express emotions and movement through creative mark-making. They experimented with a variety of tools – such as brushes, palette knives, sponges – and techniques like dripping or splattering. Building on previous work, students fused observed and imagined imagery, allowing their paintings to break from realism and evolve into bold, expressive compositions. Embracing spontaneity, students let the paint guide them, discovering texture, movement, and unexpected forms along the way.
DEVINO TRICOCHE
A self-taught abstract painter based in Wonder Valley, whose work is deeply influenced by the people and places he encounters. His emotionally driven paintings are composed of energetic layers of oil, acrylic, and charcoal, each representing a fragment of a story. In addition to his work as a painter, Devino is an accomplished musician, magician, fire artist, and master creator of balloon animals.
THE ART OF FRIENDSHIP
JEWELRY PROJECT
This project explored the history and artistry of beads through a hands-on creative experience. After learning about the cultural significance of beads worldwide, students designed their own using polymer clay, wood, macramé, and paper. They shaped, baked, and painted beads with acrylics and metallic markers, then assembled unique friendship bracelets and necklaces using natural and affordable string. Blending history with craftsmanship, this collection highlights personal expression, creativity, and the spirit of connection—proving that, like friendship, art is a beautiful and meaningful way to bring people together.
MARCIA WINN
A native of Costa Rica, Marcia Winn developed an early love of travel and language as a high school exchange student in the United States. She holds a bachelor’s degree in French literature and a master’s degree in education. Marcia’s ability to communicate with diverse groups of people aided her in her work in hospitality in South America. Currently living in Joshua Tree, California, Marcia is pursuing a career in language education. She enjoys making ceramics, crocheting, and hiking.
EVERYTHING'S A DRUM!
TRIBAL DRUMMING PROJECT
Students were encouraged to tap into the unique rhythm inside of them. Inspired by the percussion group STOMP, students experienced the magic of creating instruments from salvaged trash and making music with their bodies by clapping, stomping, or just feeling the beat in their chest.
WULFPAK
A multidisciplinary artist who creates bold, powerful performances using drums and music inspired by ancient traditions. Their unique approach blends tribal techno with raw, spiritual energy, creating immersive experiences that explore freedom, inner strength and a deep connection to nature.