Creative Arts Camps

Art is not just about talent; it’s about seeing. Our Creative Arts camp teaches students to observe the world deeply and express their unique perspective through diverse mediums.

Studio Culture

We treat our students like working artists. They have personal studio space, access to high-quality materials, and the freedom to pursue sustained projects over multiple days.

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The 7 Ws + How

Who & What

Who

Artists: Ages 8–18.
Experience: From doodlers to portfolio-building high schoolers applying to art school.

What

Mediums: Drawing, Acrylic/Oil Painting, Clay Sculpture, Printmaking, Collage.
Outcome: A curated gallery exhibition.

When & Where

When

Duration: 2-week sessions allow for drying time and layering.
Daily: Extensive open studio time.

Where

Space: Dedicated Art Barn with natural North Light, pottery wheels, and clean-up stations.

Why & Which

Why

Cognition: Art develops fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and emotional intelligence.
Expression: A safe outlet for feelings and identity exploration.

Which

Tools: Professional grade paper (Arches), canvas, charcoal, pastels.

Whose & How

Whose

Mentors: Working artists and art educators.

How

Method: “See, Think, Wonder.” Critique culture—learning to talk about art constructively.

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The Creative Process

From concept to gallery:

graph LR
    A[Inspiration] --> B[Sketch/Study]
    B --> C[Creation Phase 1]
    C --> D[Critique & Refine]
    D --> E[Final Polish]
    E --> F[Exhibition]

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Artistic Disciplines

1. 2D Studio (Drawing & Painting)

• Observation: Still life and figure drawing. Learning proportion and perspective.
• Color Theory: Mixing, temperature, value, and complementary palettes.
• Technique: Glazing, impasto (texture), blending, and dry brush.

2. 3D Studio (Sculpture & Ceramics)

• Clay: Hand-building (coil, slab, pinch) and wheel throwing basics.
• Structure: Wire armatures and plaster casting.
• Space: Understanding negative space and form in the round.

3. Mixed Media & Design

• Collage: Combining textures and finding materials.
• Printmaking: Linocut and monoprinting techniques.
• Design: Basic principles of composition, balance, and hierarchy.

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A Day in the Studio

1. Artist Inspiration (09:00 - 09:30) Looking at slides of masters (old and contemporary). “How did Van Gogh use yellow?”

2. Skill Demo (09:30 - 10:30) Instructor demonstrates a specific technique (e.g., “stretching a canvas” or “blind contour drawing”).

3. Open Studio (10:30 - 12:30) Deep work time. Music on, focus high. Instructors circulate for 1-on-1 guidance.

4. En Plein Air (13:30 - 15:30) Taking sketchbooks outside to draw nature and landscape.

5. Clean Up & Group Crit (16:00 - 17:00) Respecting materials. Pinning up work to discuss what is working and what needs adjustment.

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The Gallery Night

At the end of the session, the studio is transformed into a gallery. Students learn to:

• Curate: Select their best work.
• Mount/Frame: Present work professionally.
• Statement: Write a brief artist statement explaining their intent.

Materials

We use Golden Acrylics, Faber-Castell pencils, and high-GSM papers. Quality materials lead to quality results.

Portfolio Prep

For older students, we offer specific guidance on photographing work for college applications.

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