ArtsFocus Camps enable older elementary school aged children entering grades 2-5 to focus on selected art forms. Try something new or hone previous skills in a variety of visual and performing arts. Skilled teaching artists provide small group instruction. Mix and match these half-day camps to create a full day. Some rising 2nd graders may be ready to tackle these camps, but the Little Campers is still an option for this age group if your child would prefer more play-focus.

WEEK 1: June 19-23

Graphic Novels (AM): Students will learn to create visual narratives in the comic form. A variety of materials will be used while learning about character design, story structure, and drawing techniques.

Stickers: Design to Product (AM): In this camp, we will turn hand-drawn sketches into unique handmade stickers using pencils, markers, and sticker paper. You can share or trade your creations with friends and family or decorate your favorite water bottle or notebook.

Myth and Theatre (AM): Discover myths from around the world and bring them to life in your own stage presentation.

The Art of Color: Painting (AM): Discover color theory including analogous and complementary colors through positive and negative space and color psychology. Use these skills to create your own works of art.

Ceramics & Hand-building (week 1 of 2) (PM): Use the potter’s wheel and ceramic hand-building techniques to create decorative and functional pieces. Campers will have the opportunity to glaze their work in this two-week session.

Junk Band (PM): Create musical instruments from items in your recycling bin and around your house! Explore how these instruments can come together to create a musical band while having fun learning principles of music theory.

Hand Sewing Basics (PM): Made art with fabric and thread! We’ll learn and use basic cross stitching, embroidery, and applique techniques to create unique works of art to keep or share.

Inspired by Famous Artists (PM): Learn about famous artists and their techniques. Then take your turn by creating original works of art inspired by those artists.

WEEK 2: June 26-30

Theatre Improv (AM): Come learn the joy of improv through structured games. Improv teaches campers self-confidence, how to listen to others, and work collaboratively.

Sound & Circuits (AM): Discover how sound and science intersect through gadgets and electronics. Did you know that a marble run can create music when connected to an amplifier? And that vibrations on a drum can make a laser pointer draw designs?

Painting Techniques (AM): Develop your painting skills through an exploration of techniques such as splattering, stippling, sgraffito, layering, and more! Practice painting abstracts, landscapes, and objects to enhance your portfolio.

Beginning Sewing on the Machine (AM): For those with little or no sewing experience, this camp will teach kids the basics of using a sewing machine.  Campers will create several simple projects like tote bags, scrunchies, pillows, or dolls.

Bucket Band (PM): Use upside-down buckets and drumsticks to learn rhythms that come together in an original song. You will get to decorate your bucket and take it home with you.

Graphic Novels (PM): Students will learn to create visual narratives in the comic form. A variety of materials will be used while learning about character design, story structure, and drawing techniques.

Crochet Basics (PM): Learn to crochet! No experience necessary – we’ll start from scratch and learn to use basic stitches to create beautiful projects with nothing but a hook and ball of yarn.

WEEK 3: July 3-7 (no camp Tuesday, July 4th)

Introduction to Theatre (AM): Explore the various roles one can have in theatre through a student-driven exploration of acting, playwriting, directing, and design.

Beginning Sewing on the Machine (AM): For those with little or no sewing experience, this camp will teach kids the basics of using a sewing machine. Campers will create several simple projects like tote bags, scrunchies, pillows, or dolls.

Hand-building Techniques (week 1 of 2) (AM): Learn ceramic hand-building techniques to create decorative and functional pieces. Campers will have the opportunity to glaze their work in this two-week session. *NOTE: This camp does NOT include use of the potter’s wheel.

Bookmaking (AM): Design, construct, and bind your own book or journal.

Origami (PM): Explore the traditional Japanese art of paper-folding to make colorful animals, flowers, and ornate napkins to decorate your home. Some move, some perch, and some stand still, but all have a story to tell. **NOTE: no camp 7/4

Art Around the World (PM): Learn about life in other countries then create mixed media, drawings, paintings, and perform song and dance inspired by what you have learned.

Weaving & Bead Art (PM): Discover how to make tiny looms and bead pets, as well as other weaving and beading techniques.

WEEK 4: July 10-14

Mini-Play Production (week 1 of 2) (AM): Take a close look at the process of taking a story to performance in two weeks! Campers will end the camp having created two four-minute plays to be performed in front of a small audience.

Creative Writing Lab (AM): Students will be introduced to various forms of writing and given the opportunity to express themselves through the creation of their own written works.

Drum Circle (AM): Create community through rhythm as you work together to make music. Campers will learn African drumming techniques using traditional instruments.

3-D Design Concepts (PM): Bring engineering to life by learning how to design and build 3-D structures. Work with your camp-mates to create city maps out of recycled materials or design a functional container to protect an egg when dropped from a great height.

Mixed Media Collage (PM): Rip, cut, and glue to explore how everyday paper scraps, 3-D materials, and works of your own creation can combine to make pieces of art completely unique to you.

Fiber Arts: West African Design (PM): Learn West African traditional Batik and Stitch & Dye techniques. Students will learn how to transfer patterns on to fabric pieces to take home.

Myth & Theatre (PM): Discover myths from around the world and bring them to life in your own stage presentation.

WEEK 5: July 17-21

Graphic Novels (AM): Students will learn to create visual narratives in the comic form. A variety of materials will be used while learning about character design, story structure, and drawing techniques.

Intro to Vocal Performance (AM): Fine tune your vocal skills by learning basic music theory and singing your favorite songs.

Fiber Arts: West African Design (AM): Learn West African traditional Batik and Stitch & Dye techniques. Students will learn how to transfer patterns on to fabric pieces to take home.

Hand Sewing Basics (PM): Make art with fabric and thread! We’ll learn and use basic cross stitching, embroidery, and applique techniques to create unique works of art to keep or share.

Introduction to Theatre (PM): Explore the various roles one can have in theatre through a student-driven exploration of acting, playwriting, directing, and design.

Drawing Basics (PM): Learn basic drawing techniques and develop fine motor skills, artistic vision, problem solving, and an understanding of line, form, and value.

Drum Circle (PM): Create community through rhythm as you work together to make music. Campers will learn African drumming techniques using traditional instruments.

WEEK 6: July 24-28

Drum Circle (AM): Create community through rhythm as you work together to make music. Campers will learn African drumming techniques using traditional instruments.

Bookmaking (AM): Design, construct, and bind your own book or journal.

Let’s Make a Play! (week 1 of 2) (AM): The perfect session for your drama enthusiast! From casting to curtain calls, campers learn all aspects of staging a play including set design and costuming to create a play from scratch in two weeks. 

3-D Drawing (PM): Further develop your drawing skills by learning techniques that will bring your drawings to life in 3-D.

Freestyle Embroidery (PM): Explore textile art to create abstract thread paintings, embroidered greeting cards, and learn how to create your own patterns for embroidery.

Theatre Improv (PM): Come learn the joy of improv through structured games. Improv teaches campers self-confidence, how to listen to others, and work collaboratively.

WEEK 7: July 31-August 4

Shadow Puppetry (AM): Learn to manipulate shadows and light with your body and your own puppet creations to craft a story.

Soundscape Design (AM): How do you use instruments and other sound-making devices to enhance the narrative of a story? This camp will work with the Shadow Puppetry camp to create an original score for a performance.

3-D Drawing (AM): Further develop your drawing skills by learning techniques that will bring your drawings to life in 3-D.

Sculpture (PM): Build 3-D works of art in a variety of mediums from paper to clay.

Introduction to Theatre (PM): Explore the various roles one can have in theatre through a student-driven exploration of acting, playwriting, directing, and design.

Bucket Band (PM): Use upside-down buckets and drumsticks to learn rhythms that come together in an original song. You will get to decorate your bucket and take it home with you.

Dance Around the World (PM): Explore different cultures around the world through movement. What does Flamenco Dance tell us about Spanish culture and how does it feel to move to the Latin rhythms of Cumbia? Take a journey through movement to discover an appreciation of cultures that can seem so far away.

WEEK 8: August 7-11

Painting Techniques (AM): Develop your painting skills through an exploration of techniques such as splattering, stippling, sgraffito, layering, and more! Practice painting abstracts, landscapes, and objects to enhance your portfolio.

Bookmaking (AM): Design, construct, and bind your own book or journal.

Stickers: Design to Product (AM): In this camp, you’ll learn to turn your hand-drawn sketches into unique, handmade stickers using pencils, markers, and sticker paper. Create stickers to share or trade with friends and family and decorate your favorite water bottle or notebook.

Junk Band (AM): Create musical instruments from items in your recycling bin and around your house! Explore how these instruments can come together to create a musical band while having fun learning principles of music theory.

Dance Around the World (PM): Explore different cultures around the world through movement. What does Flamenco Dance tell us about Spanish culture and how does it feel to move to the Latin rhythms of Cumbia? Take a journey through movement to discover an appreciation of cultures that can seem so far away.

Collaborative Artmaking (PM): Learn about different ways we can make art together! Draw, paint, and create with your camp-mates to make art that compliments everyone’s talents.

Sound & Circuits (PM): Discover how sound and science intersect through gadgets and electronics. Did you know that a marble run can create music when connected to an amplifier? And that vibrations on a drum can make a laser pointer draw designs?

Repurposed Art (PM): Learn how to upcycle old objects to have new life as works of art.

WEEK 9: August 14-18

Ceramics & Hand-building (week 1 of 2) (AM): Use the potter’s wheel and ceramic hand-building techniques to create decorative and functional pieces. Campers will have the opportunity to glaze their work in this two-week session.

Bucket Band (AM): Use upside-down buckets and drumsticks to learn rhythms that come together in an original song. You will get to decorate your bucket and take it home with you.

Bookmaking (AM): Design, construct, and bind your own book or journal.

Poetry (AM): Explore creative ways to make a poem such as blackout poetry, found poetry, collaborative writing, and other experimental forms.

Intermediate Sewing: Quilting (PM): Are you ready to take your sewing machine skills to the next level? This camp is for students with experience making small projects on the sewing machine. Learn how to create more complex projects like a small quilt, potholders, or coasters.

Theatre Improv (PM): Come learn the joy of improv through structured games. Improv teaches campers self-confidence, how to listen to others, and work collaboratively.

Mixed Media Collage (PM): Rip, cut, and glue to explore how everyday paper scraps, 3-D materials, and works of your own creation can combine to make pieces of art completely unique to you.

Drawing Basics (PM): Learn basic drawing techniques and develop fine motor skills, artistic vision, problem solving, and an understanding of line, form, and value.

WEEK 10: August 21-25

Beginning Sewing on the Machine (AM): For those with little or no sewing experience, this camp will teach kids the basics of using a sewing machine.  Campers will create several simple projects like tote bags, scrunchies, pillows, or dolls.

Theatre Improv (AM): Come learn the joy of improv through structured games. Improv teaches campers self-confidence, how to listen to others, and work collaboratively.

Sculpture (AM): Build 3-D works of art in a variety of mediums from paper to clay.

Adaptation Station (PM): Campers collaborate with each other to turn picture books into stage plays.

Intermediate Sewing: Quilting (PM): Are you ready to take your sewing machine skills to the next level? This camp is for students with experience making small projects on the sewing machine. Learn how to create more complex projects like a small quilt, potholders, or coasters.

3-D Drawing (PM): Further develop your drawing skills by learning techniques that will bring your drawings to life in 3-D.

Mixed Media Collage (PM): Rip, cut, and glue to explore how everyday paper scraps, 3-D materials, and works of your own creation can combine to make pieces of art completely unique to you.

Youth Workshops are one-week, half-day workshops for students entering grades 6-9 in a variety of art forms. Local teaching artists focus on skill development and discovery of creative voice with tweens and teens. A low student-instructor ratio provides an encouraging environment for constructive feedback and exploration of the creative process. Explore your artistic talents, build your portfolio, or learn a new skill! Students in this age group are permitted to check themselves in and out of camp each day.

WEEK 1: June 19-23

Electronic Music Production (AM): Learn the basics in this fun beginner’s course. Students will use a free online DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to craft their own songs utilizing drumbeats, synthesizers, samplers, and effects.

Mixed Media Art (PM): Break out of the box of traditional drawing and painting! Students will work with acrylic paint, pastels, graphite, and paper products to create multi-dimensional pieces. Along with basic painting and drawing tools, students will incorporate recycled materials into their work to create texture and depth. This workshop is great for those looking to build their portfolio as well as those who just want to experiment with new materials.

WEEK 2: June 26-30

Watercolor Illustration (AM): Students will learn watercolor techniques to create both realistic and abstract works. We’ll explore the unique properties of water and how it dries, absorbs, and mixes on paper to create beautiful artistic effects. The workshop will also explore color theory, composition, and perspective in paintings. All skill levels are welcome!

Acrylic Painting Techniques (AM): Beginners, experts, and everyone in-between, come learn the basics of acrylic painting as well as some new tips and tricks! Together, we will explore traditional and expressive techniques that will take your painting skills to the next level! 

Advanced Sewing: Quilting (PM): Are you ready to take your sewing machine skills to the next level? This workshop is for students with experience making small projects on the sewing machine. Learn how to create more complex projects like a small quilt, potholders, or coasters.

 

WEEK 3: July 3-7 (no camp Tuesday, July 4th)

Digital SKERCH! (AM): Learn how to turn your sketches into merchandise using digital tools! Take your idea from sketch to digital image and create a physical piece of merchandise such as stickers, greeting cards, or postcards that you can gift or even sell.

Natural Dyeing  (PM): Learn the process of adding color to cloth and other materials. Students will get to experiment with a rainbow of naturally derived color and various patterning techniques. They will complete projects using their dyed materials. **NOTE: no camp 7/4 

 

WEEK 4: July 10-14

Clothing Design & Construction (AM): It’s easier than you think! If you want clothes that express your one-of-a-kind personality, fit your unique size and shape, and are ethically and sustainably made, creating your own is the way to go. Some prior machine sewing experience recommended.

Digital SKERCH! (AM): Learn how to turn your sketches into merchandise using digital tools! Take your idea from sketch to digital image and create a physical piece of merchandise such as stickers, greeting cards, or postcards that you can gift or even sell.

Theatre for Social Change (PM): Explore how to use performance to amplify your voice, build community, and embody the change you wish to see in the world. This workshop will focus on devising performances that matter to YOU.

WEEK 5: July 17-21

Intermediate Crochet Projects (AM): Know the basics of crocheting already? Step up to learn a variety of stitches and techniques to make adorable amigurumi, beautiful clothing, and more!

Stage Combat (PM): How do you create the illusion of a fight on stage? Learn the basics of stage combat in this physical workshop for theatre and dance students.

 

WEEK 6: July 24-28

Drawing Techniques (AM):Learn how to use various drawing techniques to add dimension to your artwork. Whether you are shading with charcoal or crosshatching with pen and ink, you will learn the skills needed to take your drawing to the next level – Additional seats have been added!

Drum Circle (PM): Learn West African drumming techniques using traditional instruments. Students will learn rhythms and work collaboratively to create music. No previous drumming experience necessary.

 

WEEK 7: July 31-August 4

Hand-building Techniques (AM) *2-week class: This 2-week workshop introduces students to basic hand-building pottery techniques. Students will create sculptural and functional ceramics works and be encouraged to express themselves with experimentation of form, texture, and design. Students will leave the second week with complete glazed works. Note: This workshop does not include use of the potter’s wheel.

Mixed Media Art (PM): Break out of the box of traditional drawing and painting! Students will work with acrylic paint, pastels, graphite, and paper products to create multi-dimensional pieces. Along with basic painting and drawing tools, students will incorporate recycled materials into their work to create texture and depth. This workshop is great for those looking to build their portfolio as well as those who just want to experiment with new materials.

 

WEEK 8: August 7-11

Graphic Novels (PM): Graphic novels –books that use illustrations to tell the story–are a rapidly growing art form. In this workshop, students will learn to create visual narratives in the comic form.  Students will be exposed to a wide range of books, formats, and styles and encouraged to experiment with composition and design. A variety of materials will be used while learning about character design, story structure, and drawing techniques. All skill levels are welcome.

 

WEEK 9: August 14-18

Advanced Sewing: Making Clothes (AM): Are you ready to take your sewing machine skills to the next level? This workshop is for students with experience making small projects on the sewing machine. Learn how to sew wearable items like boxy tee shirts, knit shorts, or a messenger bag.

Introduction to Animation (AM): Love cartoons? Then why not try your hand at making them? Learn the basics of storyboarding, character design, and drawing movement to create a video animation of your own! *Please note: this camp will utilize tools on both paper and computer.

Electronic Music Production (PM): Learn the basics in this fun beginner’s course. Students will use a free online DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to craft their own songs utilizing drumbeats, synthesizers, samplers, and effects.

Poetry (PM): Explore creative ways to make a poem such as blackout poetry, found poetry, collaborative writing, and other experimental forms.

 

WEEK 10: August 21-25

Mini-Mosaics (AM): Design wearable mini mosaic art created with colorful stained-glass bits to make pendants or keychains. You will come away with several items you can keep for yourself or give as gifts. *Please note that there is an additional materials fee of $15 for this workshop.

Dance & Poetry (PM): Do you have a favorite poem or song lyrics that really speak to you?  Do you love to move/dance?  Spend the week exploring the ways we can connect the two.  We’ll create dancing poems and poetic dances, discovering new ways of expression through combining text and movement.  No dance experience required!  Just a curiosity for generating meaning through bodies and words!