SUMMER ART CAMP AT THE HERMITAGE!
Weekly Theme Descriptions
CURIOUS CURATORS: Campers will step into the shoes of a museum curator and experience art from this exciting viewpoint.
This week includes activities such as conserving painting replicas, examining Asian artifacts, imitating the style of famous
artists, learning about different types of museums, creating “mini-museum” dioramas, and creating labels for works of art from
the Hermitage collection, just like a curator! Campers will spend an afternoon interviewing our Curator, discovering what it is
like to work in a museum, and enjoying a “behind-the-scenes” tour of the Museum. By the end of the week, campers will
“curate” their own gallery of art on display in the Visual Arts Studio!
ART & NATURE: This week campers will learn all about the Hermitage gardens and the many ways that nature can be
incorporated into works of art. Campers will spend time outside exploring the wetlands and grounds, learning about the
environment, and gathering natural objects to use in their artworks. Activities include recycled art projects, real and imaginary
landscape paintings, plant still-lifes, and animal and garden art. Campers will learn about artists like Andy Goldsworthy and
Georgia O’Keeffe, how nature has influenced art throughout history and how important it is to protect it. Kids will also
create their own container garden in the Visual Arts Studio to experience the “art of gardening.”
WATER & ART: To discover the role of water in art, campers will experiment with watercolors, bubble painting, drip painting
and other fun techniques. By examining Leonardo Da Vinci’s fascination with water and works like Monet’s Water Lilies,
campers will learn about how famous artists are influenced by water. This week kids will explore water symbolism, liquid
sculpture, underwater art and the different representations of water in art from around the world. Using the Lafayette River as
inspiration, activities also include marine animal art, snow globes, lava lamps, and seascape painting.
WORLD TRAVEL: Travel the world through art! This week campers will be issued a passport and experience a new country
each day by examining artwork in the Hermitage Collection from all around the world. Campers will create works of art from
different cultures throughout history and learn how location, tradition, food, and lifestyles influence art. Campers will visit
Spain, India, Russia, England and Japan while creating maps, globes and other travel tools. By the end of the week, campers
will have built their own art “collection” just like the Hermitage’s Sloane family did!
IMAGINATION: Art is all about the using your imagination! This week kids will create art inspired by their surroundings at the
Hermitage including the house, the collection, and the gardens and grounds. Activities include imaginary landscapes and
creatures, creative writing and storytelling, silly self-portraits, dream illustrations, and wall masks. Campers will learn about
abstract and expressionist art and the many different ways artists express their imagination.
HOME: This week the Hermitage will remind campers that art can be found in their very own homes and backyards in the
form of architecture, furniture, nature, food, functional objects, and things we use every day! Campers will learn about the
history of the Sloane family and what “home” was like in the early 20th century. Activities include creating a family tree, mini
“dream house” dioramas, family and pet portraits, found-object sculptures, and garden art.
GLASS ART: This week will explore the transformation of glass from a functional object to a work of art. Campers will
discover the history of stained glass, jewelry, medicine bottles, lamps, and sculpture using the many examples of glass art in
Hermitage collection. While learning about famous glass artists such as Tiffany, Lalique, and Dale Chihuly, campers will create
their own versions of glass inspired artwork. Activities include sea glass jewelry or decorations, light catchers, Faberge art,
ornaments, and more.
ACROSS ASIA: This week campers will explore the Hermitage’s extensive Asian Art collection and study objects such as
samurai Swords and ancient “spirit objects” from the tombs of royalty! Activities include kite making, Chinese Dragon
paintings, ceramic Zhenmushou (guardian beast), and clay sushi making. Campers will examine our hands-on Asian artifacts,
hear the mysterious myths and stories behind the Asian Art collection, and discover how the dynamic history of this ancient
culture has influenced art all over the world.