The Sampson Arts Council is doing its part to work with the youth in the community and broaden the horizons of young minds when it comes to the arts.
For the eighth year, the arts council will be hosting Summer Art Camp, which is two weekly camps for students grades 1-6 and three, two-day art workshops for students in grades 7-12. All classes will offered at the Victor R. Small House in Clinton.
Camp dates are July 13-17 and July 20-24. Registration deadline is June 19.
“At summer art camp, we remain committed to carefully selecting a custom-crafted summer arts program filled with stimulating and enriching art lessons focusing on exploring a wide variety of techniques and materials and taught by a caring, patient, seasoned staff of teachers and assistants who will help open minds and change lives,” Kara Donatelli, arts council director said.
According to Donatelli, all funds raised through arts camp help support children’s art classes and quality arts programming for children in the community throughout the year. The funds raised through the Golf Fore the Arts Celebrity Golf Tournament, also allowed several art camp scholarships to be awarded to select students.
“This is an amazing opportunity for kids who may not be able to attend otherwise,” Donatelli shared. “Last year we were able to provide 30 art camp scholarships.”
During a typical day at art camp, Donatelli said students enjoy three one-hour classes with three art teachers. Students are grouped by ages (grades 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6). Classes are limited to 12 students. Each week, Donatelli said, features a different theme that will focus on lessons in a variety of art mediums and techniques, as well as art history.
The July 13-17 camp will focus on “Nature as Art” and the July 20-24 camp will focus on “Mini Masters.”
“Over the years, the kids have been exposed to many interesting art lessons in painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, printing, photography and much, much more,” Donatelli said. “Art history lessons have taught us about artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, Mattisse and Monet, to name a few. We have also experienced art from cultures around the world, such as Australia, China, Mexico, Japan and Europe.”
The sessions aren’t just for elementary students. Donatelli said there will be unique opportunities for middle and high school students, as well. Students in grades 7-12 will have the opportunity to take part in art workshops in oil pastels, screen printing and mixed media collage. These classes are taught by local art teachers.
Sessions for middle and high school students will be July 7-8, featuring oil pastels with Rose Kennedy; July 14-16, featuring screen printing with Sara Cone; and July 21-23, featuring Krystin Moore with mixed media collage. Registration for these classes is June 19.
“We offer unique lesson plans, instruction from talented art teachers, small class sizes, and a diverse daily curriculum tailored to children’s inherent curiosity and sense of discovery,” Donatelli shared. “These characteristics are what sets the Sampson Arts Council’s Summer Art Camp apart from any other and why it continues to attract a large, loyal following of happy campers.”
For anyone interested in registering their child or who needs additional information, call the arts council at 910-596-2533. Registration deadline for art camps is June 19 and is available online at www.sampsonart.net.