about us
Community Art Makers is a self-presenting,
not-for-profit organization, established
and operated by Laura Bellmont.
Mrs. Bellmont founded Community Art Makers after working in the progressive arts
education world for over 10 years.
She considers teaching an art form
and is honored to serve the Artistic Director.
All workshops are led by Mrs. Bellmont
with the occasional collaboration and participation
of inspired guest artists, teachers and professionals.
​
CAM workshops are designed
in the spirit of collaboration and each
new program is seen as partnership between
Mrs. Bellmont and workshop participants.
our mission
Community Art Makers is a mobile, not for profit organization that brings high quality, art + technology focussed education to under-served communities across the United States. We design and set up innovative workshops for students in their own community spaces with social distancing and safety in mind.
CAM workshops range from hands-on stop motion animation filmmaking instruction, art and storytelling curriculums, to tech-literacy seminars designed to help participants of all ages to gain the practical knowledge that is imperative to successful living in our technologically advanced, and sometimes isolated-at-home world.
​
Using STEAM principals (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) as our bedrock, Community Art Makers lessons are designed specifically for each participant group; customizing learning objectives to meet their needs.
In our filmmaking workshops, CAM offers access to professional grade equipment and software; empowering participants to see a pathway to future jobs in the professional film industry. We also recognize the educational benefits of arts education and hands-on art making whether they be: learning by doing, deductive reasoning, creative thinking and problem solving, communication or collaboration skills. We believe that by integrating art and technology, capacity for learning and personal growth is boundless.
We believe that the process is as important as the product and with a learner-centric
pedagogy, each workshop is steeped in invention during production.
We also find great joy and community in sharing student work with others. Filmmakers tell
their stories and become teachers themselves building stronger ties to each other and to
the places they come from.
our board
Our Board of Directors is made up of a group of inspired individuals who are devoted to the betterment of others and the celebration and elevation of diversity and community. Each comes with their own expertise that lends unique insight into the shape and direction of Community Art Makers programming.
We are honored to have:
Kate Pane
Kate Pane is a Creative Arts Therapist in the adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit at Bellevue Hospital in NYC. Her practice aids youth in the development of creative coping skills, while facilitating the exploration of personal narrative through the arts and clinical psychology. She has previously partnered with the Administration for Child Services in child welfare and brought art therapy to incarcerated youth. Pane's work extends throughout clinical, community, and educational settings with young people and their families who have experienced systemic trauma and mental illness. She maintains committed to connect with children in order to inspire voice, agency and their personal strengths.
Magin Schantz
Raised in a family of artists, Magin began her career as an experimental theater maker, touring and working with other artists. She later became a teaching artist, carrying bins of supplies to public schools across New York City. While there were elements of her jobs she found rewarding, Magin still felt like something was missing: she wanted to create something impactful of her own. She then founded Supermoon Art Space: a community art space focused on early childhood programming located in Ridgewood, Queens.
Davis Connelly
Davis Connelly is a nonprofit executive and visual artist, currently serving as the Director of Development for Road to Success, Inc.
Davis has been working in youth nonprofits for 15 years where
he has secured over $2 million in grants and donations,
and established beneficial, equity-driven programs for thousands of youth in NYC public schools and beyond.
Davis is a father, a wilderness enthusiast, a mythology nerd, and a born creative. He has been active in local and international programs in the arts for nearly two decades.