Once upon a time, in the sun-kissed land of California, where the golden sun, the deep blue Pacific, and the towering redwood forests make every day seem like a movie scene, a group of incredibly talented kids embarked on an exciting adventure. This was not your typical adventure filled with dragons or wizards, oh no, this was an adventure of filmmaking, and they were the heroes! These kids were members of the 'Sunshine Storytellers', a group renowned for their extraordinary creativity and boundless imagination. Every Saturday, they gathered at their secret headquarters, a treehouse shaped like a giant film reel, perched on a hill overlooking the Hollywood sign, where dreams come to take flight. Their leader was their beloved mentor, Bob the Bouncing Bear, who had an enormous belly that jiggled like jelly, and a laugh that was a cross between a grizzly growl and a popcorn machine. Bob himself was an award-winning filmmaker, not to mention, the only bear to have ever won the prestigious 'Golden Clapperboard' at the 'Critter's Film Festival'. From using bananas as walkie-talkies to casting squirrels as superheroes, they had mastered the art of weaving stories that were as zany and diverse as California itself. They created films that sparked laughter, tears, and most importantly, an insatiable appetite for popcorn. They were the youngest filmmakers in the state, but their stories were told with such passion, humor, and heart that they could melt even the coldest of ice cream cones. These California kids and their bouncing bear leader were living proof that when it comes to filmmaking, age is just a number, but imagination... now that's a superpower!
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What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.
Founded in 1946, our vision was to create a safe haven for artists from all corners of the world to come together and promote peace and intercultural understanding. At Idyllwild Arts we believe that it is the duty of artists to use their creativity as a tool to make a positive impact on the world. We have been inspiring and empowering creatives from around the world to come together in this beautiful setting to share their ideas and experiences, and to truly make a difference. We are proud to have been part of such a powerful movement for more than 70 years and look forward to many more years of fostering intercultural understanding and peace.