Art Camp
My primary duty working at Flydragon is to be one of the teachers for art camp. Art camp is open to children five to fifteen for two and a half hours Monday though Friday. The kids spend the time being inspired, getting creative, and making friends and art based on the theme of the week. Each week had a different theme but the weeks remained consistent. Monday's introduced ceramics, the students built figures or carved tiles relating to the weeks theme. Tuesday's they decorated art journals that they use throughout the week to sketch, design, and draw. From prompts to bursts of creativity the pages are a fun reminder of the age. They also gain an introduction to sculpture making a plaster 3-D piece. Wednesday they paint their sculpture and glaze the ceramic piece. Thursday is focused on painting. They receive a 16 X 20 canvas and are guided though a painting for the weeks theme. Friday includes paper projects to remind the kids paper can be two and three dimensional, as well as smaller projects relating to the theme. Camp concludes with an art show to display all of the hard work and creative insights the kids had thoughout the week for family and friends.
Week One: Art History Week
The first week of art camp focused on artists and art history through out time. We started the week making ceramic bowls based on Kintsukuroi, the Japanese style of repairing broken pottery. We decorated art journals and learned the history of masks while making our own using balloons and plaster strips. Students received an artist packet giving details of numerous artists from history, this was used as inspiration for art journals and other projects for the week. We created paper bowls inspired by Henry Matisse's late work, painted Monet inspired waterlilies and created a multi panel piece channeling different artists and artistic styles we learned thfoughout the week. Camp ended in an art show to share all the pieces from the week with family and friends.
Week Two: Ocean Week
This weeks theme meant anything near, in, or related to the ocean fit. Monday we started by making 'Taco' fish. Tuesday after decorating art journals the students were prompted to design their own fish then made sea turtle sculptures out of cardboard and plaster. Wednesday they painted sculptures and glazed the ceramics then made mosaic fish out of card stock and tissue paper. Thursday we painted shark paintings and Friday was spent making puffer fish and crabs then preparing for the art show. Thoughout the week we did paper projects including oragami sea creatures and coochi sharks.
Week Three: Monster Week
Monster week began with making ceramic pinch pot monsters. Tuesday they decorated art journals with their favorite monster on the front, they were prompted to design the cutest monster, scariest monster and a monster from another culture. They also built monsters out of cardboard and plaster, challenged to make one monster from two pieces of cardboard. Wednesday they painted the sculpture monsters and made fork monster paintings. Thursday the kids painted monsters while I made the Lochness monster and glazed the ceramic monsters. The week ended on Friday with paint monsters, name monsters and our art show.
Week Four: Wyoming Week
Week Wyoming week fell with the states 127th birthday celebration. This group of fantastic kids started the week making ceramic boots to kick into the western theme. Tuesday we made the state dinosaur, the triceratops, out of plaster and cardboard and after we decorated art journals using mixed media including Wyoming state maps. Wednesday the kids learned the art of paper making from owner Christina Blooding and her daughter Lexi; the process included adding plants from the area to decorate the paper. Thursday we painted the Wyoming flag with some western additions. Friday the kids got to do string art with the choice of jackalopes, bears, buffalo or triceratops and then we set up for our art show and displaying all the work they did during the week.
Week 6 Prehistoric Week
Back for three more weeks of August and three more groups of creative kids. Prehistoric week started with making tile fossils. Tuesday we decorated art journals and made triceratops sculptures of cardboard and plaster. Wednesday the kids made masks and did cave paintings telling the stories of their choice. Thursday we painted Mammoths and Friday we ended the week doing string art dinosaurs. We ended with another great art show and all the families coming to see the weeks work.
Week 7 Culture Week
Culture week involved a trip around the world to various cultures and styles of art. Monday we went to Japan and recreated the Japanese broken pottery as we did Week one. Tuesday along with art journals we made plaster masks after discussing masks around the world. Wednesday we made Aboriginal rain sticks. Thursday we traveled to Greece with our painting of Santorini and Friday before the art show we represented our own culture in dot painting style. The week ended with a fabulous art show with so many family members and friends.
Week 8 Space Week
Our final week of camp Space week. Right before the eclipse happening right across our wonderful state. Monday we made ceramic bowls that later in the week we would glaze to look like galaxies. Tuesday after art journals we used plaster to make sun and moon sculptures. Wednesday we made string art rocket ships, Thursday the group painted the studios Cheyenne Eclipse painting and we finished out the week making Galaxy bottles and using word prompts to create aliens. The art show was a huge success.
