It is dreary outside and I can actually feel my blood solidify as I huddle in my freezing studio gulping down cups of hot tea to stay alert.
This can mean only one thing…
…enrollment time for the Summer Creativity Camps! Oh how I long for those long, summer days where I crawl home each afternoon and collapse face first onto my sofa, after foolishly competing in a freeze dance contest with seven year olds.
I know I say this every year but – this year’s camps are going to be particularly amazing. My daughter, who is studying Product Design, helped me write the curricula, and we found that our brains actually work very well together and have a packed and exciting set of camps planned. Enrollment is ongoing, and you can sign up here if you like the sound of them.
Week 1 – Book Making and Illustration
This week will be about designing and constructing books. We will experiment with various forms of paper folding, construction and binding used in book making and learn about typography and working to a theme. Of course, there will be plenty of read alouds and storytelling involved as well (any excuse to use my wide array of silly voices).
Week 2 – Fiber Arts
This is a week of experimenting with various textile processes and methods, including weaving, tapestry, sewing, and cyanotype printing. We will look at the work of textile artists and discuss how textiles have been used in our daily lives through history. Weaving myths from various indigenous traditions will be read and discussed.
Week 3 – Surrealism and Collage
The final week of camp is all about Surrealism and the Absurd (perfect goofiness for the end of summer break). Students will explore composition, color, scale and shape using a variety of media while working from their imaginations. We will discuss dreams, the subconscious, and how different artists have worked with these themes.
Summer Camp days are relaxed and flexible with plenty of breaks and outdoor play time (weather permitting) and students can choose to spend more time on projects if they wish to. A lot of my counselors (and one teacher) are former campers, so it really does feel like one big family. The aim is to send the campers back to school feeling both relaxed and stimulated (that is possible).
I can’t wait for July! See you there?
