By Amy Hillard

Whether your child has an interest in clay molding, drawing, jewelry making or textile dyeing, Dublin’s Summer ARTcamps provides plenty of motivation for arts exploration.

Janet Cooper, marketing and public relations manager for the Dublin Arts Council, says one of the draws for the summer ARTcamps is “plein air,” a French term meaning open air.

“The atmosphere is a great fit for kids in the summertime to make art outside,” she says.

The Summer ARTcamps for Kids are a collection of programs sponsored by the DAC that seek to help children grow and explore on a number of levels. First founded in 2003, the various camps are geared toward children of all ages interested in all genres of art.

Many kids come back to the ARTcamps every summer to participate in different sessions. Powell resident Maida Brock says her daughter Becky, 11, will return for her third year this summer.

“Becky has participated in the clay camp and made clay animals that she still has displayed in her cabinet,” Brock says. “She also took part in the bead camp and made a choker necklace which she wore until she outgrew. (Her) favorite camp was the Days of Creation. When I brought her home, she fell asleep in the car, just exhausted from all of the different activities she was doing every day.”

The ARTcamps sessions, which typically last four days, vary from week to week – from pottery one week to bead and jewelry making the next – and range from 7 to 40 participants each. The sessions are also typically grouped by age, allowing children to explore at their own level from both artistic and social standpoints.

Programs are decided by DAC council members based on past camps and interest levels.

“We always look at what is popular and what we think will engage the students,” Cooper says. “Evaluating programs after our summer camps helps us to assess popularity in events and to plan events for the coming years.”

ARTcamps are open to all Central Ohio families, not just Dublin families. On July 31, the DAC will host an event for participants in the ARTcamps program to show off their work to family and friends.

“It will be a celebration of everything they’ve done,” Cooper says.

After participating in the ARTcamps, Brock says kids walk away with a lot more than a fun art project.

“I like that (Becky is) enjoying them,” she says. “She uses her imagination and has made some great friends and memories.”

To register for the 6th annual Dublin Summer ARTcamps for Kids program or for more information, call 614-889-7444 or visit www.dublinarts.org.  

Amy Hillard is a contributing writer for Dublin Life.

June to August ARTcamps sessions include:

Time to Throw
June 8-12
A program aimed at exploring pottery fundamental techniques with projects including bowls, vases and mugs.

Bead and Jewelry Making
June 15-19
Children are invited to learn about different jewelry assembly techniques and then use them to create their own jewelry.

Drawing and Painting
June 22-26
Youths are encouraged to learn about the various types of painting while constructing their own works of art.

Exploring Clay
July 6-10
Whether it’s modeling clay into a sculpture or a bird bath, this program promotes fun with clay building.

Textile Dyeing
July 13-17
Youths will learn about textile application techniques and then have the opportunity to create their own dye.

Days of Creation
July 27-31
This workshop encompasses all aspects of art, including music, dance, mural making and cartooning.

For fees and registration deadlines, visit www.dublinarts.org.  

The Dublin Arts Council also sponsors other programs beyond the ARTcamps, including an on-site, year-round Visual Arts Series, classes and workshops for all ages in visual and performing arts. Visit www.dublinarts.org for more information.