SUMMER ART CAMP WEEKLY THEMES 2015
KID’S SUMMER ART CAMP FOR 6-10 YEAR OLDS
June 22-26: The Art of Paper: Origami
Instructor: Emily Nowell
This first week of summer camp will focus on the wonderful medium of paper and all it has to offer in
the world of art. We will have the opportunity to explore the Hermitage’s current special exhibition,
Above the Fold: New Expressions of Origami, which will help inspire each camper’s paper artworks.
Campers will get an up close and personal experience with the purpose, importance, and beauty of
paper including how its use is incorporated in the other media that we will explore: ceramics,
painting, weaving and other mixed media.
July 6-10: World Travel
Instructor: Jennifer McDuffie
This week our campers will make their own passports and embark on a journey to discover art from all
over the world. Inspiration will include looking at art from the Hermitage collection that comes from
around the globe. Each project will take us to a new destination where students will learn about
various cultures and why the art from different places has the characteristics that it does.
July 13-17: My Story: Autobiographical Art
Instructor: Jennifer McDuffie
Art camp this week will be all about your child as we explore identity through the creative process.
Self-portraits, family, and home are all subjects that will be addressed during this time of selfexploration and reflection. An emphasis on journaling and symbolism will help lead to thoughtful
habits and lifelong learning!
July 20-24: S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, ART, Math)
Instructor: Jennifer McDuffie
Most students love to draw but many don’t realize that the artistic tradition and its processes often
involve some of the more left brain activities! This week’s projects will have an emphasis on STEM
connections. Projects will include tessellations, Op Art, patterns, color theory and drawing with a grid.
And don’t forget engineering with clay building!
July 27-31: Treasure Hunt
Instructor: Jennifer McDuffie
There are a lot of treasures to be found at the Hermitage both in the museum and on the grounds.
Students will be encouraged to become seekers as we explore and create.
They will search for art masterpieces in a scavenger hunt and make their own treasure maps. There
will also be a map guided journey through the gardens to find some of nature’s bounty!
August 3-7: Public Street Art
Instructor: Jennifer McDuffie
Norfolk has a thriving arts district and many contemporary artists are taking it to the streets. Our
campers will learn about some of the latest techniques and the proper way to display public street
art while creating their own one-of-a kind pieces. Public art, stencil projects, murals, tags, and nature
installations will all be explored.
August 10-14: Art and Nature
Instructor: Jennifer McDuffie
August 17-21: Cartooning and Illustration
Instructor: Jennifer McDuffie
This week begins with the campers developing their own 3D cartoon character who evolves into a
drawn figure. Campers will learn how to make a cartoon, a comic strip, an animation cel and an
animated flip book. The use of illustration for story telling will be taught in a simple and effective
format.
August 24-28: River Week
Instructor: Emily Nowell
Water is around us everywhere in Hampton Roads, and the Hermitage is no exception. During River
Week campers will learn how the rivers, and other bodies of water have inspired artists throughout
time. We will explore the wetlands at the Hermitage to understand how the river is not only a source
of beauty but also an ecosystem all on its own. We will draw inspiration from the animals and nature
surrounding the river as well as the life underwater. Watercolor paintings, ceramic birds, landscape
paintings, and other mixed-media projects are in the works for this fun filled week.
YOUNG ARTISTS SUMMER CAMP FOR 11-14 YEAR OLDS
July 6: World Travel
Instructor: Emily Nowell
Take a trip around the world in just one week! This new theme is sure to excite the world traveler in
your young artist. Campers will be creating their own passports that will help them on their journey to
uncover art from all over the world. A tour and scavenger hunt through the Hermitage European and
Asian collections will be the inspiration behind several works of art. We will also be looking at art forms
from other continents and discussing several cultures and why art varies from place to place.
Campers can expect to create drawings, paintings, and a ceramic piece among many other art
forms.
July 13: My Story: Autobiographical Art
Instructor: Emily Nowell
Throughout this week your young artist will learn how to work from a personalized “Big Idea” and
create self-inspired works of art. An emphasis on journaling will help to cultivate this “Big Idea”
through symbolism which will help lead to thoughtful habits and lifelong learning. We will look at a
local artist’s body of work to gain inspiration for glazed plates and ceramic vessels that will tell a part
of the story. We will then look to MC Escher to create a 4-D Self Portrait, followed by a Big Idea
screen-printing project, self-image photography, and much more. All of these projects will give your
young artist a new and exciting look into the world of art that grows and expands as your young
artists grows.
July 20: S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math)
Instructor: Emily Nowell
This newly added theme will surely be a hit with the math and science-minded campers. During the
week your young artist’s gears will be turning as they apply their creative right-brain techniques with
left-brain activities. Projects will have an emphasis on STEM connections. We will begin the week with
engineering through clay building, followed by a look to MC Escher for inspired tessellations, and then
move to grid drawings as well as perspective and Op Art drawings. Pattern and color theory
paintings will fill the middle and end of the week.
July 27: Treasure Hunt
Instructor: Emily Nowell
During this week your young artist will be a part of a swashbuckling good time. We will have a
Scavenger Hunt within the Hermitage Museum and throughout the gardens. From the scavenger
hunt, campers will create an original work of art from a piece, exhibition, or collection within the
museum that inspires them the most. Other projects for the week will include an “authentic” Treasure
Map, Ceramic “treasure” box, jewelry making, and more. Campers will end the week with a new
appreciation for adventure and treasuring art more than ever before.
August 3: Public Street Art
Instructor: Emily Nowell
This exciting new themed week will give your young artist a new love for outdoor artwork. Norfolk and
other surrounding cities have thriving arts districts in which many contemporary artists are
participating in and taking their art in to the streets. We will be learning about the latest techniques
and the proper and respectful ways to display public art. Be a part of making your cities even more
beautiful by exploring Graffiti and “tag” art, stencil projects, tree “sweater” weaving, collaborative
murals, and the largest student art installation throughout the Hermitage gardens.
August 10-14: Art and Nature
Instructor: Michele Barnes
From ancient times to the present day, artists have produced fantastic artworks in response to
Nature. This week, campers will use observation in the gardens and wetlands as inspiration for their
imagery in paintings, prints, clay, faux glass, art sketch books and more.
August 17: Cartooning and Illustration
Instructor: Emily Nowell
This seventh and final week of Young Artist camp is guaranteed to be another favorite for your young
artist. Your camper, who just can’t get enough of drawing, doodling, and sketching will learn
drawing techniques and styles that will encourage and support them in becoming stronger
draftsmen and draftswomen. The art of animation cel production, illustration, caricature, and
storytelling will be incorporated into the week’s lessons. Your camper will be given a chance to
create their own cartoon characters and story line to share with friends and family. Even if your
camper was a part of this week last summer they will be able to create a new character or build
upon their previous storyline.