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Community News

COVID-19 Surge Updates

With the latest COVID surge, we feel it is paramount to revisit COVID safety guidelines. Our priority is to ensure a safe, fun, educational, and memorable experience for our program participants.  We ask families and participants to respect and abide by the following guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all campers, families, and staff. 

  • Before attending camp, families should assess their child’s health for any symptoms of illness (COVID-19, flu, cold, allergies, etc). If your child is not feeling well, do not attend class.
  • On the Sunday before your child’s camp starts, please test for COVID-19. If your child is experiencing any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19, please notify JCAS staff immediately and refrain from attending the program. Participants won’t be able to participate in camp until they test negative for COVID-19.
  • If there is a positive case in your household, please test your child daily and mask them with a KN95. We can provide these masks if necessary. If your child tests negative, they may come to camp with a mask. If your child tests positive, they may not come to camp. Participants won’t be able to participate in camp until they test negative for COVID-19.
  • In alignment with Bay Area public health and local school guidelines, indoor masking at JCAS is no longer required. We encourage participants to make whatever masking decisions best suit themselves and their families and to respect the decisions of others.
  • Please note that everyone should mask for 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19. The CDC, and state and local health departments still recommend regular mask use for those who are medically compromised or unvaccinated for COVID-19

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe.

Sincerely,

The Junior Center

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Community News

Intro to Procreate

Saturday classes are back at JCAS!

Join us July 13th from 10am-12pm for Intro to Procreate

Using iPads and physical art supplies, students will create their own short animated stories! Students will create physical characters using clay, paper, pencils and paints and then upload images of their creations to iPads. Once uploaded into Procreate, students will be able to add digital embellishments, and create an animated short story starring their character!

This workshop is for ages: 9-13

$10-$20 sliding scale,

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Community News

WE’RE BACK!

Welcome back!

We’re thrilled to be in our space again after completing the first week of camp. Seeing Bill, our legacy instructor, back in action guiding carpentry students and watching our young artists take flight has been emotional for all of us. The building is radiant with light, creativity, and the spirit of summer fun.

Please save the date for our grand reopening extravaganza in September. We’ll be hosting a series of Saturday programs, including adult and family workshops, animal visits, and more, as we gear up for this special event.

We can’t wait to welcome you back!

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Community News

DRAG STORY TIME + CRAFTING

Happy Pride! Come celebrate with the Junior Center of Art and Science!

Junior Center Teaching Artist Marco Garcia AKA Kico Le Strange, and friend Cy Berspace, will be reading 3 LGBTQIIA+ children books, one of which will be Julian The Mermaid. After story time, Kico will guide the young creatives through an oceanic craftmaking excursion; making sea crowns!

Let’s learn, express, and celebrate together!!!

Story time: 10-10:45am

Crafting time: 11am-12pm

All ages welcome!

Please RSVP on Eventbrite to attend.

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Community News Events

RISING FROM THE ASHES: THE ROUGH EDGES LIVE FOR JCAS

RISING FROM THE ASHES:
THE ROUGH EDGES LIVE FOR JCAS

Join us for Rising From The Ashes; a benefit concert for the Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS) Building Repair Fund. As many know, our treasured home on Lake Merritt has suffered damage from two fires. Your attendance and contributions will directly support the final stages of our reconstruction efforts.

With your generous support, we will reach our goal of not only rebuilding but revitalizing our beloved venue, infusing it with a renewed sense of purpose and vibrancy for the whole community. ‘Rising from The Ashes’ is more than just a concert; it is a testament to the unwavering spirit of resilience that unites us all.


HOW YOUR SUPPORT HELPS:

  • Contributes to the creation of specialized areas within our facility, such as dedicated labs, studios, or interactive exhibits, to ensure that the space remains relevant and equipped to meet the evolving needs of the community. 
  • Ensures the continuation of affordable access to arts and science integrated classes such as Carpentry, Creative Coding and Fashion Design through our sliding scale and scholarship funds.
  • Supports the restoration of a space that serves as a platform for fostering creativity and innovation among youth and adults alike.

You won’t want to miss this exciting night! The Rough Edges are a Classic Rock cover band specializing in high energy, deep-cut gems from the 1970s. The band features Juliana Birnbaum (vocals), Fausto DeSousa (percussion), Frank Gilbert (guitar), Harry Gray (guitar, vocals), Michael Hannah (bass, vocals), Fred Riley III (vocals) and Neil Sachs (drums, vocals).

Let the power of music and community uplift us as we embark on the next chapter of our shared story, revitalizing our home and reaffirming our commitment to fostering creativity and connection within our community.
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Community News

Save the Date! Rising from the Ashes: Rough Edges Live for JCAS

Mark your calendars for December 16th! We are throwing a Benefit Concert w/ the Rough Edges at the Berkeley Art House. More info and tickets coming soon!

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Community News

Cybele Gerachis taking over as Interim Executive Director

Dear Junior Center of Art and Science Community,

Over the past two years, the Junior Center of Art and Science (Junior Center) has grown by leaps and bounds. This is true even in the face of a global pandemic and two separate and unfortunate fires at our beloved building on the shores of Lake Merritt. Clive Worsley, who recently stepped down from his role as Executive Director, guided our organization through that second fire to achieve renewed stability and reinvigorated programming.

Today, the Junior Center’s Board of Directors is thrilled and delighted to announce that Cybele Gerachis, who has served as Program Director since 2017, is stepping into the role of Interim Executive Director.

Cybele brings more than 20 years of experience as an arts administrator, educator, and artist in the Bay Area. She started at the Junior Center in 2014 as a Teaching Artist, engaging students in vibrant art workshops at 35 Oakland schools. As Program Director, Cybele has developed 21st century arts integrated programs, forged lasting community partnerships, and co-curated countless gallery exhibits at the Center. Her commitment to accessible, inclusive, and interdisciplinary learning experiences is evident in her vision for the Junior Center as a community space where creativity and exploration are paramount.

We are excited that Cybele has agreed to serve in this new capacity. As many of you know, she has always brought to her work a mix of inspiring leadership and a deep understanding of the creative learning potential of our youth. As Interim ED, Cybele is eager to sustain the Junior Center’s essential value to our community as we prepare to return to our building in Summer or Fall of 2023. We are confident that her expertise and proven dedication to our mission will serve our youth and our organization well.

We are deeply grateful for this smooth transition and for your continued support during this time of change. As an organization dedicated to serving the interests of youth throughout Oakland and beyond, we are committed to cultivating their curiosity and creative exploration through the arts and sciences for generations to come.

Onward and upward,

Heidi Quan, Board President

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Community News

Sip & Make Rescheduled! Buy Tickets Today!

We will be gathering at 1528 Webster, a gorgeous co-working space in Oakland. While the event will take place outside on the veranda, we still strong encourage attendees to be vaccinated.

Price of admission is on a sliding scale from $45 – $75

Price includes all materials and supplies, along with one glass of wine.

Additional glasses and wine tasting may be purchased for a donation.

No experience necessary. All proceeds benefit youth arts and science education in Oakland.

Purchase tickets at: www.tinyurl.com/wineandwatercolors

Join us Thursday, Sept 29th from 6:00 – 8:00pm to celebrate art & community engagement! Our very own Teaching Artist, Joey Rose, will be guiding attendees through a beautiful still-life watercolor painting activity. Get the creative juices flowing with wine tasting and light snacks.

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Community News

Old Oakland Celebrates Youth + Creativity

On Saturday, April 16th we participated in the Old Oakland Celebrates Youth + Creativity Block Party presented by Civic Design Studio, E14 Gallery, and Good Good Eatz! We made tote bags and buttons with the community and promoted our upcoming summer camps. We also joined OUSD High Schools in the OUSD Student Art Showcase and presented work from our Franklin, Emerson, and Carl Munck Elementary Residencies. Check out pictures from the event below!

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Community News

Volunteer Summer Camp Counselors Needed!

Volunteer Counselors play a vital role in the success of Junior Center Summer Day Camp. They lead activities, help their campers with their projects, and ensure that each camper feels safe and integrated within his/her group as well as the larger camp experience.

  • Be a positive role model 
  • Provide leadership, guidance and support to your group of approximately 10 campers throughout the day and week
  • Assist your campers with their projects, art activities, games,and outdoor play.
  • Participate in other camp activities, including morning meeting, two daily snacks, and lunch as well as set up and clean up of project spaces.
  • Team up with other CIT’s and staff to help create a fantastic experience for all
  • Attend one day of mandatory training (dates TBD, 2022)