June is jumping at the Art Center of the Bluegrass

Published 5:15 pm Thursday, June 6, 2024

School is out and the Art Center of the Bluegrass is bustling with activities for youngsters as our summer camps started this week.

The Art Center isn’t just for kids – we have a new exhibit opening in June, and our first edition of the Danville Review of Art is available.

Summer Camps at the Art Center 

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Discover how to throw pottery on a potter’s wheel in our four-week Tween and Teen Pottery Camp. Participants will learn to throw a cylinder, which is the basis for cups, mugs, and bowls. Campers will build confidence and transform their visions into reality by learning techniques such as shaping, trimming, and glazing. This class is for students ages 11-17, and will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. on June 10, 17, 24, and July 1.

Students rising into first through fifth grade will love our Dive Into Painting Camp, which meets from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 17-21. Delve into a world of color and expression while creating art with various painting mediums and techniques. Campers will discover their creativity and create works of art with artistic flair.

For younger potters, check out our Creative Clay Camp. This half-day camp will meet from 9 a.m. to noon on June 24-28. Students rising into first through fifth grade will love this hands-on camp. It’s a journey of artistic exploration, where participants use hand-building techniques to mold, shape, and sculpt unique clay creations.

Step into the enchanting world of imagination with Dollhouse Camp. In this delightful camp, each child gets to design, paint, and decorate a dollhouse of their own. Tiny dream homes come to life through personalized touches and young architects learn to craft unique dollhouses that reflect their style and imagination. This full-day camp is for students rising into first through fifth grade and will meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 24-28.

Register for all summer camps and events at the Art Center, at artcenterky.org or call 859-236-4054 for more information.

Starry Night Studio 

Our ever-popular Starry Night Studio is back on June 7 with an evening of hand-building clay succulent pots or bourbon/wine cups. Ceramics instructor Joseph Eastham will lead the class from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Art Studio.

Kid’s Night Out 

June 20 is Third Thursday and the Art Center offers parents a great opportunity for a night out in downtown Danville. Kid’s Night Out meets in the Art Lab Classroom from 5 to 8 p.m. Dinner is provided by Chick-fil-A. Kids will enjoy art projects, games, and more while parents enjoy the shops and restaurants in Danville’s downtown district. Registration is required, so sign up today!

The Danville Review of Art 

The Art Center of the Bluegrass is proud to announce the first publication of the Danville Review of Art, which is available to view online. Created by the center’s Youth Advisory Council, this look at art and culture is completely student-produced by the teen members of the council. The first edition features an interview with painter and Centre College teacher Sheldon Tapley, Governor’s School for the Arts alum Londyn Jackson, and featured artwork by the council members, who are students from Danville and Boyle County high schools.

Gathering Artists Exhibit Opens June 21 

The Gathering Artists is an alliance of visual artists and fine craftspeople, meeting to find inspiration and encouragement for their artistic endeavors and to enhance social networking and creative growth in our community. They will exhibit some of their works at our Main Street Gallery located at 409 West Main Street beginning June 21 through July 27.

Gathering Artists members create art in several mediums, including oil, watercolor, acrylics, pastels, graphite, colored pencil, pen & ink, printmaking, photography, digital art, weaving, quilting, needle-felting, mixed media, woodcarving, scrimshaw, scratch art, sculpture, pottery, polymer clay, 3-D printing, collage, jewelry, glass work, and more. An opening reception will be held from 5-6 p.m. on June 27.

Submit a Proposal to our Exhibition Committee 

The Art Center of the Bluegrass is a non-profit organization with two beautiful exhibition spaces. The Museum Gallery is the largest space, displaying our main exhibitions. It is located on the second floor of the GLASS National Art Museum. The Main Street Gallery is devoted primarily to promoting regional artists and is a street-facing exhibition space in a historic downtown building.

We invite proposals from artists, curators, and organizations which will be reviewed by the Exhibition Committee. The Art Center is committed to an exhibition program that fosters diversity and inclusivity. For more information please contact Museum Director Emma Scott, at emma@artcenterky.org.