Category Archives: Community Service & Volunteer Work

Community service and participation is not only key to a thriving community, but it is also a great gift to the volunteer! This part of Nicole’s News blog shares the community service and volunteer work of the Impressionist Artist, Author and Poet M. Nicole van Dam.

My Cockatoo Coloring Book Makes New Friends!

As an artist I enjoy meeting young talent.  I had so much fun this weekend meeting Liv and Rowen and their very nice parents.  Both Liv and Rowen are very artistic, smart and as nice as can be.  I can’t … Continue reading

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Hi Emily, Kaede, Quinn and Isaac!

I had so much fun meeting young talented artist Emily (who loves to draw dragons – how fun is that!) and her wonderful and super smart and nice cousins Kaede, Quinn and Isaac, and their mothers.  Emily is very much … Continue reading

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Talented Emily Creates Two Dragons!

I was thrilled when Emily’s mother Michele emailed me Emily’s latest magnificent creation – two dragons! The first dragon is very large and is billowing hot pink swirls, toasting a marshmallow on the tree stump, very fun idea. One of … Continue reading

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Liv Creates 2 Beautiful Artworks!

I am so impressed with the two amazing artworks that Liv’s mother Heather sent me! They are just AWESOME! Let’s look at Liv’s beautiful artworks one at a time: First, there is “Puppy of the Rainbow.” I love that name, … Continue reading

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Check Out Sydney’s Polar Bear – Brrrrrr!

Young Artist Sydney has created two fun artworks that her super supportive Mom Valerie sent me – I think you will love the happy colors of both of these special artworks: First, before I show the polar bear, look at … Continue reading

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Meet Sydney!

So fun to share the artwork of Sydney, a young artist. Sydney’s Mom Valerie is so supportive of Sydney’s work, that’s just wonderful and is so helpful to a young artist. Way to go Mom Valerie! One of the things … Continue reading

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May Mosaic Madness at Creativity Central!

At our May Creativity Central session, our creative group created lovely mosaics out of paper. In addition to tissue paper and basic kid grade construction paper, for the mosaics we also used a little left over holiday wrapping paper. We … Continue reading

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April Creativity Central brings Colorful Creations!

At our April Creativity Central session, our creative group added color to the sculptures we had created in the March session.You will see there is no shortage of creativity in this group!   Here are some photos from both the … Continue reading

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February Creativity Central has us making Garden-themed Sculptures!

At our February Creativity Central we had great conversation and crafted sculptural masterpieces having a gardening theme – we made everything from flying hearts, a humorous worm in an apple and a happy ant, to a perfect garden pixie and … Continue reading

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Bra Fundraising Fun at January’s Creativity Central

It’s that time of year again – when our fearlessly creative Creativity Central team makes bras to be auctioned off at the Gala to help support women who cannot afford their cancer-related medical services.  While last year’s bras were hard … Continue reading

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We had a jewel of a time December 2013 making “Dutch Diamonds!”

We had a jewel of a time at Nicole’s December 2013 Creativity Central making “Dutch Diamonds!”  Here are some pictures of our fun Creativity Central: Sherri and her ‘gems’! Another of our talented ‘Jewelers’ shares her creations Our Collection of … Continue reading

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October & November Creativity Central set the table for a Happy Thanksgiving!

At the October Creativity Central and at the November Creativity Central we made table decorations for Thanksgiving, and we had a great time! Here are some photos from these two extra special Creativity Central sessions: We created placemats during our … Continue reading

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September Creativity Central ROCKS!

At our September Creativity Central we had a fun musical treat – live rock ‘n roll music generously and superbly performed by Kenneth G. Halverson Jr.  That means we got to jam as we created to some great music – … Continue reading

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Recent Creativity Central Sessions create Fun and Beauty!

Give our talented Creativity Central group a stack of papers, a glue gun, some flower wire and a few beads and colored markers and you will get… ROSES!  Here are some photos from this wonderful April 2013 Creativity Central: Hard … Continue reading

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March Creativity Central visits Outer Space!

Our March 26 Creativity Central was truly a blast from outer space, as we created clay objects for our space themed project!  Here are some photos of our fun evening, ENJOY! To see more pictures, please visit the official Creativity … Continue reading

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Creativity Central has been busy “busting” loose for fundraising for breast cancer!

January 2013 Creativity Central was full of fundraising creativity – we created bras for the silent auction and center pieces for the upcoming gala, called the CMH Gold Dust Gala, on March 23rd 2013, that raises funds for uninsured and … Continue reading

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First Night of Exciting Collaboration in Art Therapy Begins!

Recently Nicole was honored to be asked to serve as the Art Therapist for teenagers for a monthly event created by an exciting new collaboration among the Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara, Landon Pediatric Foundation, Ventura County Medical Center’s Pediatric … Continue reading

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-of Fancy Pens and Pretty Papers

At last night Creativity Central, first we enjoyed a sneak peek of our now completed and assembled (but not yet framed) last Creativity Central project, entitled “Sea Scape”: “Sea Scape” by Creativity Central  Many thanks to all the Creativity Central … Continue reading

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Beautiful Work by a Beautiful Team

Last night’s Creativity Central was filled with wonderfully whimsical colors and also real treasure – the “treasure” are the happy smiles we all shared.  -But we can’t minimize the great work!  Carol’s beautiful sculptures from last week, like the mermaid … Continue reading

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Creativity Central Goes Beneath the Sea Last Night!

Last night we had an incredibly creative time – and thanks to Allyson, even modern technology made an appearance!  Allyson shared images on her smart phone to help the group create more realistic sea images – and the results are … Continue reading

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