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Summer Art Explosion: the Prologue

Everybody is always asking me, “Zac what are you doing‽ Why don’t you keep us informed on the interweb?” And I always answer, “Because I am busy doing stuff and junk…” And then they walk away. But really I have been very busy in recent weeks helping to organize a huge fund-raising event for REVAMP. For those of you squares out there that don’t know about REVAMP yet, they are a non profit dedicated to aiding our few remaining art programs with recycled and re-purposed art and craft materials. If you want to know more visit them here. The event is titled the SUMMER ART EXPLOSION and is being sponsored by the fantastic people at Help-U-Sell here in Sonora. The event will feature food, fun and entertainment such as an open mural, silent auction, craft competition and the kids craft of the day Toy-Hacking!

Here is a little more on Toy-Hacking: Basically we are taking your old and unwanted toys and disassemble them until they are nothing more than limbs, heads, torsos, wheels, wings, etc.

Then with the help of some big kids like Peter and myself kids of all ages will be able to reassemble them.

Once reassembled they will become Frankentoys that are ready for a new paint job and a lot of fun!

Come join us in the fun on August 1st and help REVAMP sustain the creativity of Tuolumne County’s children. If you don’t care to join in the crafty fun you can sit, eat and enjoy the music of the Minor Birds and the other great local bands that will be playing. I hope to see you there!

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REVAMP and the Spring Fling

I am currently working with a terrific non-profit known as Recyclers Exchanging Various Art Materials and Projects or REVAMP. Below are some photos of our last craft event which was held in Downtown Sonora during their Spring Fling this April. I spent most of the day helping kids make bugs and flowers while others in the group were constructing a giant beehive, fabric banners, coloring and playing music.

By breathing new life into old objects, REVAMP reduces the amount of waste going into crowded landfills. Anyone, business or individual, can save money on disposal costs and (in the future) receive tax benefits by contributing clean, reusable materials that might otherwise be thrown away.


The Spring Fling turned out to be great fun and only the first of many events REVAMP has planned for the near future. Events in June and August are already in the works. Sonora Help-U-Sell is teaming up with REVAMP on August 1st for our first major fundraiser. The craft for the day will be the franken-craft of toy hacking! This includes tearing apart old or broken toys to be reconstructed into new toys for the kids to take home. The event will also have live music, live art, food, a silent art auction and much more. The event will be held in the Help-U-Sell parking lot near Sonora High School. Check back with this link for more information as it comes up and always remember that when a man wears an apron it is called a smock!

{Photos by Kim Mathie}