Westport Arts Center (WAC) announced that registration for its Summer Camp programs will begin Monday, Feb. 4 for WAC Members and Wednesday, Feb. 8 for Non-Members. Programs will be available for children ages 3-4 and 6-12, mornings and afternoons in June, July, and August. Ranging from drawing, painting, and sculpting, to building, silk-screening, LEGOs and more, the programs are hands-on educational arts experiences taught by professional Teaching Artists. Classes will be held at the Westport Arts Center, located at 51 Riverside Ave. in Westport.
“Summer Camp season is one of the most exciting times for the Art Center's education department,” said Danielle Ogden, Westport Arts Center’s director of education. “It is so rewarding to watch the students enjoying themselves in the art studio, make special friends and memories, and learn about exciting artistic methods and techniques that are high quality, original, fresh and fun.”
WAC will offer 15 Summer Camp programs, each running one week, available during mornings or afternoons.
“Art for Tots” – Children ages 3-4 can gain confidence in self-expression and artistic exploration in this messy, fun, and mixed-media art experience. This program is designed to strengthen fine motor skills, foster creativity, and support artistic growth. This is a drop off class. Please note that WAC Teaching Artists are not licensed to chance diapers. Children must be toilet trained to participate. Classes are Monday through Friday, June 10 – 14 from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. $150 / $130 for WAC Members
“Animal Art Gone Wild” – Students will get creative and experiment with a variety of materials such as air-dry clay, plaster cloth, and recycled items to create an array of wildly imaginative projects inspired by fantastical creatures, hybrid animals, funky monsters, and more.
Classes are Monday through Friday, July 8 - July 12. For children ages 6-10, classes meet from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Cost is $295 / $275 for WAC Members. For children ages 8-12, classes meet 2 - 4 p.m. Cost is $195 / $180 for WAC Members.
“Art Around the World” - Take a whirlwind tour and explore art from around the globe, from Moroccan mosaics to Chinese New Year’s dragons. Using a range of materials, students will create unique works of art inspired by exciting cultures and traditions. Projects will include large-scale origami sculptures, African tribal masks, ancient Japanese scrolls, and Indian block printing.
Classes meet Monday – Friday, July 15 - July 19. For ages 6-10, classes meet from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Cost is $295 / $275 WAC Members. For ages 8-12, classes meet from 2 – 4 p.m. Cost is $195 / $180 for WAC Members.
“All Things Nature” - In this eco-friendly camp, kids will experiment with exciting methods using inspiration from our natural environment. Incorporating organic elements, they will design, build, paint, collage, and create a variety of unique works of art. Projects and materials will include natural paper pulp, paper mache, leaf impressions, botanical sun catchers, shell creatures and more.
Classes meet Monday – Friday, July 22 - July 26. For ages 6-10, classes meet from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Cost is $295 / $275 WAC for Members. For ages 8-12, classes meet from 2 – 4 p.m. Cost is $195 / $180 for WAC Members.
“Toy Makers & Creators” - Kids are already experts when it comes to toys. In this class they will use recycled materials, found objects, and everyday household items to create fantastic and imaginative toy creations from mechanical robotic sculptures to 3D dream machines. Learn about design, sketching, construction, and problem solving as you use re-purposed materials, old toys, wood, cardboard, paint, and wire to assemble everyday items into unique toy prototypes and creations.
“Splat! Experimental Materials” - A favorite for many summer campers, this lively, think-outside-the box camp is uniquely designed to engage a sense of imagination and expand creativity. Campers will drip, splatter, stomp, smear, stamp, and experiment with fresh and dynamic art materials. Projects will include duct tape wall hangings, wax resist painting, Dale Chihuly inspired sculpture, graffiti, tie-dye, and more.
Classes meet Monday – Friday, Aug. 5 – 9. For ages 6-10, classes meet from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Cost is $295 / $275 WAC for Members. For ages 8-12, classes meet from 2 – 4 p.m. Cost is $195 / $180 for WAC Members.
“LEGO Art” - Campers will take an interactive look into the world of LEGOs as art. While exploring a wide range of artists and architects, they will work independently and in groups on projects from building large scale space ships to futuristic cities. Images of student work will be taken each day and produced on a CD to share with family and friends.
Classes meet Monday – Friday, Aug. 12 – 16. For ages 6-10, classes meet from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Cost is $295 / $275 WAC for Members. For ages 8-12, classes meet from 2 – 4 p.m. Cost is $195 / $180 for WAC Members.
“Funky FUNdamentals” - This class is designed to enhance artistic skills through engaging in a range of fun and experimental approaches to drawing, painting, and mixed-media collage. Students will learn new techniques through exposure to a variety of media. Projects will include water color resist painting, optical art, image transfers, monotype collage prints, and 3D perspective drawing.
Classes meet Monday – Friday, Aug. 19 – 23. For ages 6-10, classes meet from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Cost is $295 / $275 WAC for Members. For ages 8-12, classes meet from 2 – 4 p.m. Cost is $195 / $180 for WAC Members.
About the instructor: Sarah Kelly is the Education Fellow and Teaching Artist at WAC, who received a B.S. in Art Education at Southern Connecticut State University. She is experienced in many mediums, and enjoys experimenting with new materials. Sarah teaches after-school art programs, leads school-group visits, weekend and vacation workshops, and WACky Family Days for the Westport Arts Center.
Photo: Westport Student Jasper Cahn during a Summer Camp last year at the Westport Arts Center.
For more information or to register, phone Westport Arts Center at (203) 222-7070, or visit them online at www.westportartscenter.org. Located at 51 Riverside Ave. in Westport, gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m.