Ready, set — ART! CAC announces Arts Exploration Camp 2017 lineup

Published 4:25 pm Monday, April 10, 2017

 By KATE SNYDER

Community Arts Center

It’s going to be another busy summer of art at the Community Arts Center, with six different week-long arts camps running from June through August. “Last summer, we really challenged ourselves by expanding the number of camps we offered and by organizing them around content themes,” says Education Director Maggie Shapiro Haskett. “The community response was tremendous so we’re using a similar model this year – but with some fun new additions, of course! We’re particularly looking for opportunities to do walking field trips to take advantage of the other great cultural attractions downtown.”

All six camps will be half-day programs, with campers spending mornings or afternoons at the Arts Center. With the exception of Middle School Nerd Camp, registration is $100 per week per camper. After May 14, the price increases so families are encouraged to sign up early. Need-based scholarships are available and are offered on a sliding scale. “We don’t set hard-and-fast income thresholds because we understand that there are a lot of variables that go into whether a family can afford to pay full-price for camp,” says Haskett. “I always tell families that if cost is the only reason you aren’t signing your child up, we need to talk.”

Participants in the Arts Center’s 2016 Mini Camp created their own stuffed felt monsters. They are: back row, Alex Finke, Grey Jefferson and Ella Wheeler, Madeline Clark. Front, Anders Petkus, Noah Koob and Maggie Gash.

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The 2017 Arts Exploration Camps are sponsored by Webster Orthodontics.  “We’re always eager to support the Community Arts Center because they provide such terrific programming,” says Andrea Webster. “Arts Exploration Camp is the highlight of the summer for so many kids in our community!”

Amber and Elizabeth Love were the first parents to sign their child up for summer camp this year. When they saw a Facebook post about Mini Camp, they immediately registered their six-year-old son, Avery. “Art is the only thing that can tear Avery away from ‘typical’ 6-year-old boy activities like video games, wrestling with brothers, and rolling around in the dirt outside while pretending to be a monster truck,” says Amber. “But there is something about art that teleports him to an entirely different space in time. And if he could stay there forever, we think he would. We can’t wait to see where his passion takes him and having the opportunity to enhance his excitement and his skill at the Community Arts Center is incredible! He is already counting down the days and ‘how many sleeps’ until art camp!”

Evangeline Doty of Danville created an African Ndebele doll during Art Around the World Camp 2016.

Bookworms Art Camp – June 5 to 9 – Rising second- through sixth-graders

The summer kicks off with a special camp designed for book-loving artists. Campers will create artwork inspired by famous stories and characters, make art using real live books, delve into the art of book-making, and even develop their own original literary creations. Bookworms camp is suitable for all levels of readers and will include painting, mixed-media, creative writing, and clay projects.

Rainforest Adventure Art Camp – June 12 to 16 –Rising second- through sixth-graders

During Rainforest Adventure Camp, students will set forth on an artistic adventure to the deepest corners of their imagination. From leopards to lemurs, sloths to slugs, campers will capture the magic of the jungle with paint, clay, music, and more in this exotic and exciting week of creative exploration.

Fabulous Food Art Camp – July 17 to 21 –Rising second- through sixth-graders

For this new camp, students will explore the relationship between food and art, creating artwork inspired by – and even created from! – food. Delightful donuts, mouthwatering miniature hamburgers, and crazy vegetables will all become the subject of art projects as campers paint, sketch, sculpt and more.

Take Flight Art Camp – July 24 to 28 –Rising second- through sixth-graders

This fast-paced art camp will inspire children to take their creativity to new heights as it combines elements of science, math, and art. Imaginations will soar as campers explore the artistic possibilities of flight, designing the perfect paper airplane, creating found-object bug sculptures, and building their own big beautify wings. The sky’s the limit.

Mini Camp – July 31 to August 4 – Rising kindergarten and first-graders

Mini Camp is designed to introduce young artists to the joy and excitement of art camp. Campers will explore a wide range of artistic techniques and media including painting, drawing, and ceramics. Registration is limited to 12 campers, allowing for lots of one-on-one attention from professional instructors.

Middle School Nerd Camp – July 31 to August 4 – Rising seventh- through ninth-graders

This year’s middle school art camp is unabashedly focused on all things nerdy. Campers will tackle a variety of creative projects inspired by science fiction, comics, and video games. Found-object ray guns, cosplay helmets, and maybe even a little guerrilla public art-making are all on the agenda. As an added bonus, camp will be taught be a team of professional artists who will share their expertise in specific techniques and media.

On Exhibit

ReInterpret: Contemporary Landscapes by Billy Hertz
Also featuring artwork by Kayla Bischoff, Lisa Simon, Jim Doiron, and Brad Devlin
March 1 to April 29 | Monday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm | Suggested donation $5.

COMING UP

Starry Night Studio: Full Bloom Beauty
Tuesday, April 25 | 7pm to 9pm | $28

This graceful blooming tree is sure to make you smile every time you look at it. No experience is required for this social painting experience! A professional artist will provide step-by-step instructions. Register online at www.communityartscenter.net.

Beginner Ballroom Dance
Thursdays at 6pm | $10 per class at the door | No preregistration required
The Arts Center offers ballroom dance classes for dancers of all abilities, whether you’ve got lots of experience or you’re a total newbie just looking to have fun. You do NOT need to bring a partner. We have a mix of couples and singles in all our dance classes, so don’t be shy to come on your own!

Open Jam @ the Arts Center

2nd and 4th Fridays | 7pm to 9pm

Upcoming dates: April 14 and April 28

Bring your guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, bass – whatever you happen to have around the house and join us for Open Jam! Enjoy the rich, woody acoustics and natural reverb of our Grand Hall as you learn some new licks and re-imagine some old favorites. All skill levels and non-musical listeners are appreciated. Suggested donation – $5 for musicians.

Lunch with the Arts: Tracey Bonner
Wednesday, April 19 | 12pm | $7 at the door
Dance is an art form that has the ability to alter our individual and community perception of humanity.  In this month’s Lunch with the Arts presentation, dancer and choreographer Tracey Bonner will share her work using dance to expand knowledge and perception of our humanitarian responsibilities.

Munchkin & Me Art Classes
A FREE visual arts class for children ages 18 month – 4 years, with an adult caregiver. Experiment with new techniques and new mediums each week! No preregistration required.

Mondays, 10am