Summer Art Camps: An Art-rageous Success

Summer Art Camps an Art-rageous Success

Construction paper, a little glue and a lot of glitter may be the makings of the perfect craft, but for students who participated in Piedmont Arts' Summer Art Camps, craft time was more than just paper plates and popsicle sticks. 

Egg crate crocodiles were one of many Art Camp crafts.

For three weeks in June, the museum held morning art camps that allowed students to express their creativity through nature-themed arts and crafts. Led by Studio 107 artist Bethany O'Neil, campers created paper plate masks, tin can luminaries, painted garden stones, tie dyed shirts, and more. 

"I really enjoyed the classes," said Maddie Craddock, 14. "I was thrilled to have the opportunity to experiment with different media. My favorite project was drawing with the color pastels, but the tie dyed shirts were really fun, too. Bethany was really nice and fun and a great instructor."

While encouraging kids to explore their artistic side, the camps also allowed students of different ages to interact with one another and to make new friends.

"I liked how creative I could be," said Shane Davis, 7. "It was fun to make new things out of stuff we just throw away. It was like we were recycling and making art. I had fun meeting new kids and seeing other kids I knew from school. The teacher showed me how to think about different ways I can create projects from things I have at home."

 Joanie Davis (center) poses with sons Logan and Shane as they show off their Art Camp projects.

"It has been a wonderful experience working with kids this summer through the art program here at Piedmont Arts," said Art Camp instructor Bethany O'Neil. "Inspiring kids to create new from old, to learn different avenues of expression and develop within them a love for art has been my goal for each week."

Summer intern Lauren Clemmons (center) helps students create paper plate masks.

Piedmont Arts' Summer Art Camps are an annual event that take place every June at the museum. The camps are low-cost, with a discount for museum members, so that all kids in Martinsville-Henry County can afford to experience the arts over their summer break.

"We had a wonderful turn out for our Art Camps this year, with 36 campers taking part," said Heidi Pinkston, Piedmont Arts' director of exhibitions. "All of our camps filled up."

Boys and Girls Club students Celia Dodson, Mason James 
and Gabriel Dodson are all smiles at Art Camp.

Piedmont Arts also partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge, allowing 10 of their students to participate in art camp.

"Boys & Girls Clubs does great things for kids in MHC and I am so glad that their students were able to join us this year," said Pinkston. "We look forward to partnering with them on future camps."

In addition to instructor Bethany O'Neil, this year's camps also received a little extra help from local high school students. Eight summer interns from Martinsville and Magna Vista high schools assisted O'Neil in prepping crafts, leading activities, and encouraging students to have fun and be creative.

"Working with the kids was really fun," said Nadia Dillard, 17, a summer intern from Magna Vista High School. "After graduation, I plan to pursue a degree in pediatric medicine, so this was a great experience for me."

For more information on future Summer Art Camps and classes at Piedmont Arts, visit PiedmontArts.org.