Artists in Wondercamp 2022

Artists in Wondercamp is a summer art program designed to introduce elementary and middle school students to contemporary art through inquiry-based learning, open-ended discussions, hands-on studio art experiences, and interactions with professional artists. Each week students explore meaningful ideas and processes that help them investigate the world around them through the elements of art while, most importantly, having lots of fun. Different themes and media are explored with an emphasis on the process over the final product to allow creativity to flow freely. We’ll begin each day with mindful body movement and yoga.   For ages 7-12 years old. 

Art is a messy business, so please dress appropriately!   

Scholarships are available!  The deadline to apply for scholarships is June 10th.

FULL | Week One: How Does Your Garden Grow?: With Clay, Paint, and Magical Creatures! 

When: June 20 - 24  

Who: For rising 2nd - 4th graders   

Students will enjoy a week of connecting with the natural world through art making! Each student will build their own fairy house to take home for their yard or garden. Imaginations will soar as they construct wee houses and gardens for the fairies and elves made out of all natural materials gathered from local fields and forests. We will also create clay flower pots, handmade paper, nature prints, & watercolor paintings. We’ll listen to folktales and look to famous works of art by Claude Monet and John Anster Fitzgerald for enchanted inspiration. We’ll also explore how contemporary artists are connecting environmental issues to their art making practice.  

Week Two: The Sight of Music: Sound Inspired Art and Instrument Making  

When: June 27 - July 1  

Who: For rising 2nd - 4th graders   

Join us as we explore and become inspired by sound, rhythm, and movement. Let your creativity flow as we sculpt papier-mâché shakers, cardboard guitars, & metal drums. In addition to crafting our own variety of music makers, our days will be filled with listening to live musicians, playing instruments, and taking a look back at famous works of art that were inspired by music. We will also create prints, paintings, & collages that characterize musical locations, illustrate specific songs, and represent different eras in music history. The week will culminate with a group performance for our families of an original artistic composition!   

FULL | Week Three: No Strings Attached: Storytelling Through Art and Puppetry  

When: July 11 - 15 

Who: For rising 5th - 8th graders   

Enter the world of magic and make-believe as we sculpt, paint, sew, and animate characters, creatures, and imaginary worlds. We’ll build puppets of all sizes, tell stories with light and shadow, perform plays in the palm of our hand, and make masks that move as we speak. We’ll look to our favorite fairy tales, myths, poems, and dreams for inspiration. Students will construct their own miniature toy theater and make an old fashioned cranky from a matchbox. We’ll learn how to manipulate and breathe life into our creations while putting on a puppet parade and lip syncing to silly songs. 

FULL | Week Four: Color It In: Express Yourself!   

When: July 18 - 22  

Who: For rising 5th - 8th graders  

Color is fundamental to our experience of the world around us. Color is communication, language, meaning, and emotion. Together we’ll follow the theme of color through a variety of fun art projects to make unexpected connections and discoveries. Students will use printmaking, painting, collage, and sculpting techniques to explore the science, history, and psychology of color. For inspiration, we’ll look to contemporary artists like Yayoi Kusama and Nick Cavewho investigate color’s ability to express new questions about human perception.