Art Changes Us (ACU) is a program for students in silicon valley to discover purpose through art. ACU will provide high school youth with a safe, supportive space (both online and physical) to explore the change-making power of connection, community and creativity. Sponsored by LAUMC, this non-faith-based program is open to ALL high school students.
Mission & Core Values
The long term goal of Art Changes Us (ACU) is to provide youth with work in the creative arts to develop compassion, self-sufficiency and real world skills.
Inspired by the successful model of Artists for Humanity, Boston, we believe that engagement in the creative process is a powerful force for social change and provides a life-changing opportunity for young people—especially when working together.
ACU reaches across economic, racial, and social divisions and enriches our community by introducing local youth and their creative work to the business community in the greater Mountain View-Los Altos area.
ACU program OVERVIEW
Our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing place for you to discover your voice, express yourself, grow in your skills and learn from your peers. Join us for fun, friendship and artistic exploration!
New artists start with our Basic program, described below. After Basic, you may continue with more advanced programs and topics.
A Focus oN SmartPhone Photography
Today's smartphones have incredibly sophisticated cameras and YOU have a voice that wants to be heard. What a powerful combination!
Using just a smartphone, you can enhance your vision and create images that express your unique and compelling ideas.
No smartphone? No problem. Wifi-enabled iPhones (used) are available as loaners.
What You’ll Learn
The basics of artistic composition, storytelling, and photo editing and how to make your smartphone work for YOU.
The use of light, narrative lines, color theory, unique points of view, humor, portraits, reflections, silhouettes and still life to express your ideas and improve your images.
In our advanced programs, we explore a variety of artistic topics, themes and challenges - combining photography, mixed media and graphic design elements - expressing ideas in new ways and creating works to offer for sale to the public.
ONCE A WEEK Workshops
During our Basic program, each mentor-facilitated session includes opportunities for personal interaction and creative collaboration plus a short presentation by expert mentors illustrating key photographic or artistic concepts and showcasing examples of great works.
You'll receive various creative challenges (or short projects) to be done outside of the weekly sessions and then shared in our group.
Sessions will be conducted live, in-person in our Studio in downtown Mountain View.
DETAILS of ACU Spring 2025 programs
Basic Smartphone Photography
Learn the basics of photographic composition, color, storytelling, lighting, editing. using apps to transform images and assembling a portfolio of images. Join like-minded artists in discovering new techniques, getting questions answered, and giving and receiving feedback on project assignments.
Once a week on THURSDAYS only
4:45-6:15 pm (Live In-Studio)
Starts Thursday, Mar 13, 2054 & ends Thursday, May 1, 2025
***** NO SESSION ON APR. 10 DUE TO SPRING BREAK *****
Seven 90-minute sessions
Qualifications
Basic Photography is open to high school students recommended by an AVID teacher or MTC mentor in the greater Mountain View / Los Altos area.
No special “talent" needed ... just a job-like commitment
Commitment to attend all sessions and complete all projects is required to earn a $100 monetary stipend.
Smartphone, computer with webcam & Internet access
EARNS A COMPLETION CERTIFICATE & $100 STIPEND
ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY
Advance your photography skills of composition, storytelling and editing by tackling real world challenges that use photos. Content changes quarterly so this session may be repeated by continuing artists.
Once a week on MONDAYS only 4:45-6:15 pm (Live In-Studio)
Starts Monday, Mar 10, 2025 & ends Monday, Apr 28, 2025
***** NO SESSION ON APR. 7 DUE TO SPRING BREAK *****
Seven 90-minute sessions
OR
BEYOND: Mixed Media
Go even farther with your artistic skills by tackling real world creative challenges using photo collections, mixed media, graphic design and multimedia (video & audio). Content changes quarterly so this session may be repeated by continuing artists.
Once a week on TUESDAYS only 4:45-6:15 pm (Live In-Studio)
Starts Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 & ends Tuesday, Apr 29 2025
***** NO SESSION ON APR. 8 DUE TO SPRING BREAK *****
Seven 90-minute sessions
QUALIFICATIONS
Advanced Photography and BEYOND both require the completion of ANY previous ACU program
Smartphone plus access to a desktop, laptop or tablet computer
No stipend is offered for these upper level programs. Artists in Advanced and BEYOND programs are eligible for earnings and royalties on commissioned projects and sales through our online gallery and store.
IF YOU MEET THESE PREREQUISITES
Register HERE
Our Team
Carol Damonte
Founder and Managing Creative Director
Carol Damonte combines her passion for music and art with deep experience in youth development. Her 37-year career has focused on leading thousands of youth in music & creative arts productions across the world.
KATIE POVEJSIL
Founder, Executive Director, Instructor & Artist Mentor
Katie has a 30+ year-long career in Silicon Valley working in marketing and business development with large technology companies such as Apple, Adobe and HP as well as smaller education technology companies like Turnitin and PresenceLearning. She has primarily focused on the use of technology for K-12 and higher education.
Bill scull
Founder, Photography Curriculum Director & Artist Mentor
Bill Scull is our resident photographer, mentor and coach. He has balanced his decades-long career as a Silicon Valley tech executive with an enduring passion as an artist, photographer and a traveler. He currently coaches social entrepreneurs across the globe who are building life-changing businesses to lift communities out of poverty.
Our Advisory Board
Senior Pastor Emertitus, LAUMC
Rev. Kathi McShane
Business Development and Creative Advisor
Bill scull
Communications & Executive Program Director
katie povejsil
Creative Advisor
Bill hare
Special Program Advisor
Donna Dale
Government Affairs & Policy Advisor
rod sinks
Operations Advisor
mitch dale
Our Partners & ASSOCIATES
