Art From Scrap Executive Director Announces New Hires
“We‘re pleased to welcome Henry Castelo, Christina Thomas, and Toby Harbison to Art From Scrap. Their enthusiasm, skills and energy are already being felt by our staff and community audience. They will be of great benefit to our organization as we enter our 20th year of promoting a greater understanding of the connections between people and their environment, and encouraging creative thinking through hands-on science education and art discovery.”
Henry Castelo is the newest employee of the AFS Reuse Store. Henry was an Ojai Art Commissioner for four years and has over 14 years of experience in commercial and residential art installation and gallery maintenance. Henry was hired by AFS after volunteering at many of their art openings and events. Henry likes “working with individuals who come into the Reuse Store with a creative idea and helping them manifest their vision.” With a keen interest in the arts and environment, Henry is a great addition to the AFS Staff.
Christina Thomas and Toby Harbison are Art From Scrap’s new Environmental Educators. Christina is a UCSB graduate and holds a Masters in Education with an Emphasis in Equal Access Learning. Christina is excited about working with children through the AFS Green Schools program. “The most wonderful part of working as an environmental educator with Art From Scrap is that I have been able to interact with curious and bright children throughout Santa Barbara County. These children have shown genuine care and interest in learning ways that they can make small changes in their everyday lives to take care of our environment.”
Toby Harbison is a recent graduate of The College of William and Mary. Toby says, “I’ve enjoyed witnessing the environmental consciousness and enthusiasm that our lessons foster in elementary school children. At the end of one of my recent Composting lessons, I asked the students how many of them wanted to start their own compost bins. Every hand shot up. That kind of response gives me hope for the future of our community and our planet.”
Cay Sanchez believes that, “The addition of Christina, Toby, and Henry to our staff will improve Art From Scrap’s environmental education efforts through both our Green Schools program and our Reuse Store.
We invite the community to visit us at our downtown location and at the South Coast Watershed Resource Center.”
About Art From Scrap: Art From Scrap is Santa Barbara’s Environmental Education and Art Center. The Art From Scrap Green Schools Program reaches over 14,000 children yearly, through lessons and field trips covering the topics of Natural Resources, the 3 R’s, Composting, Water Quality, and School Gardens. The AFS Reuse Store and Art Programs encourage kids and adults to rethink the way they view “discarded” materials and to seek creative solutions for their reuse through Art Workshops, Birthday Parties, free art activities at many community events, and at shows at the AFS Gallery.
