Art, wine keep Bonny Doon school funded

As a standalone school of about 125 students in a district all its own, Bonny Doon Elementary School has never been flush with cash from federal and state funding.
But for the 10^th consecutive year, the Bonny Doon Community School Foundation is stepping in to lend a hand with its art and wine festival.
According to those who manage the festival, including President John West, the popular festival is a large part of the reason that many programs — such as music, art, physical education — are available to students.
“We’re kind of just a one-horse school district,” he said. “The foundation specifically tries to add programs that have been cut.”
West said that the festival is the organization’s largest annual event, and that the goal is to generate about $25,000 to support the school. This year’s event is set for Saturday, June 23, and will be at Vigne Farms.
BonnyDoonElementary SchoolSuperintendent and Principal Stephanie Siddens said that in her three years as head of the school, the foundation has made an enormous impact.
“At our school, we still have art, music, P.E. and other resources,” she said. “With the budget cuts, we would not be able to have these without the foundation.”
Siddens said she is amazed by the dedication of the community members — including those with no children in the school — and the hundreds of hours they volunteer to pull off the festival.
“I’ve been really impressed by that,” she said.
West said that one of the goals of the foundation is to create an endowment of $100,000 that would allow the school even more flexibility.
“Every year, we chip off a little bit into the endowment,” he said.
Siddens said that with the money raised by this year’s event, she hopes to hire a science specialist, as well as convert one of the school’s classrooms into a science lab.
At this year’s event, for the $50 entry fee, visitors will have access to unlimited wine tasting provided by local wineries; beer tasting; catered food; demonstrations by fine artists and blacksmiths; live and silent auctions; a classic car exhibit; and a raffle.
Live music will be played throughout the day, West said, highlighted by the 1950s style music of The Mockups.
The auction will by hosted by West himself, and includes such high-end items as a stay in aMainevacation home.
This year’s featured artist is Five Feet From the Moon, a group of Santa Cruz-based artists that uses metalworking and concrete to create elaborate works of functional art, such as outdoor fire pits, furniture, fireplace dressings, gates and metal wall hangings.
At a glance
What: 10^th annual Bonny Doon Art and Wine Festival
Where:Vigné FarmsEquestrianPark, 3675 BonnyDoon Road
When: 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 23
Cost: $50, ages 21 and up
For info: www.bonnydoonartandwinefestival.com