South Lake Alliance
Children's Museum of Arts and Science
Activity Center
Mary Phillips
Sep 7, 2019
LOWER LAKE— The Children’s Museum of Art and Science (CMAS) held a fundraiser at DJ’s Pizza in Lower Lake on Wednesday evening. The event featured guitar music by Mike Heinz, a raffle and an abundance of pizza in order to raise funds for the facility and their associated art programs.
Stephanie Figueroa, gallery owner, art director and president of the children’s museum, stated that about 20 people attended. She added that many who wanted to attend were diverted due to a fire near Lower Lake. Figueroa went on to state that there will be another fundraiser held at DJ’s Pizza in November and that these fundraisers are important in order to keep the program running. Figueroa also hopes to raise enough funds to update the antiquated computer lab.
CMAS is located inside the Art House Gallery in Clearlake. The building itself is in need of repair, riddled with wood rot and leaks, according to Figueroa. She elaborated by stating that the building owners are not willing to repair the damages and are requesting that Figueroa come up with the money for repairs. Figueroa’s dream is to “relocate to the old waterpark in Clearlake”. She stated that she could envision a Discovery Center for families, field trips for students and a place where tourists could gather information.
She went on to state that a larger facility would allow the center to run nutrition and energy programs and that “tribal people could be involved and show people how to weave baskets or demonstrate other crafts or customs specific to their culture”. She said that “We need everyone to help build the dream.”
Figueroa stated that she decided to run the Art House Gallery about three years ago when the previous owner was going to close the doors. She felt that having a gallery in Clearlake was important for the community and therefore decided to step in and continue running it. The same thing happened with the CMAS. After being in operation for over 17 years, those operating the program decided that they also needed to close the doors. Once again, Figueroa stepped in stating that this program provided parents and their children valuable creative learning time that they could share together. Consequently, she took over and currently runs the non-profit program out of the Art House Gallery.
There are five rooms in the back of the gallery which are designated to be used for painting, sewing, computers, tutoring and art. Figueroa proudly displayed a mural painted by a young student. There is also a piano and other musical instruments located in the middle of the gallery itself, surrounded by candles, paintings, jewelry and other items for sale, where students can learn to play a variety of instruments or just have fun experimenting with different sounds.
Andria McCormick, one of over 20 volunteers, was seen taking advantage of the sewing room to repair some clothing. She stated that she absolutely loves the program and that “this is the room for me because I want to be a fashion designer in the future.”
Former CMAS board member and current volunteer, Sandi Musick, stated that the “CMAS program is important for Lake County. It brings families together and promotes togetherness”. She went on to state that the CMAS is not just a Clearlake program, but reaches out to the entire county. As an example, The CMAS runs a Lego robotic program at a variety of locations in Lake County. Musick taught the Lego robotics program at Grace Church in Kelseyville and Figueroa taught the program at the library in Clearlake. The program has also run in both Redbud and Middletown. Both Musick and Figueroa mentioned the importance of getting more parents involved and that many become members due to hearing about the program through “word of mouth”.
Funding to operate the CMAS is generated primarily through family memberships which cost $50 per family and is good for seven visits. Figueroa stated that some families do not have the money to pay, but despite this, she refuses to turn them away. She ensures these parents and their children still are able to take advantage of the program. Most materials used are donated and Figueroa is actively writing grants to keep the program afloat. Last year, the Wine Alliance gave $1500 dollars in grant money to the Center.
Among a variety of upcoming events, there is also a preschool program run at the Center which consists of painting, phonics, sewing, beading, music, making candles and working with clay. Children can also explore a variety of instruments and make their own music.
Figueroa stated that she created the mural for the upcoming Soap Box Derby which will be held on Dam Road Extension in Clearlake on September 21. According the Soap Box Derby organizers, “This family-friendly event inspires children and adults to create the fastest gravity-powered or most creative vehicles they can and race in front of cheering fans. The winners will take home a trophy and the title of champion. There will be two divisions – Speed and Art”.