Class Descriptions
2nd-4th Day Camp
Core Classes:
Core classes focus on drawing, painting, and sculpting. This is a time when artists will delve into drawing using different subjects to broaden their skills and technique levels, explore the world of painting, using different styles, techniques, and various types of paint (watercolor, tempera, and acrylic) and investigate 3D art using various materials and techniques to create their masterpieces.
Electives:
- Mosaics – mosaics use small pieces to make a larger picture. Get messy while learning basic techniques for creating magnificent mosaic designs or pictures.
- Sculpture – explore height, width, and depth while discovering new ways to use sculptural materials and techniques.
- Underwater Art – dive deep into the ocean to discover what lives beneath the waves. Artists will use the diversity of underwater life to create art in a wide assortment of media and techniques.
- Crazy Creature Art – who knows what sorts of crazy creatures will come to life in this class as artists indulge their imaginations and spend their afternoons drawing and painting all manner of wild things?!
- Outdoor Art – artists will draw inspiration from the surrounding beauty to create fantastic works of art using materials they find while roaming the spectacular natural environment of the Geneva campus.
- Maskmaking – people all over the world make masks to use for dancing, drama and storytelling. In this class, artists will use various materials to create a 3D mask for their own performances.
- Kite Making – discover the joy of making and then flying your own kite! Learn how to decorate and assemble a fully-functioning kite, and learn how to make it soar in the summer sky.
- Animals in Art – draw, paint, and sculpt your favorite animal in this cool class that explores how artists have used animals in their artwork.
- Painting – a wonderful chance for artists to explore all of the possibilities of paint - from watercolors to temperas, and portraits to landscape scenes of Lake Michigan, this class will be sure to delight any artist who loves to hold a paintbrush.
4th-6th Overnight Camp
Core Classes:
Core classes focus on drawing, painting, and sculpting. This is a time when artists will delve into drawing using different subjects to broaden their skills and technique levels, explore the world of painting, using different styles, techniques, and various types of paint (watercolor, tempera, and acrylic) and investigate 3D art using various materials and techniques to create their masterpieces.
Electives:
- Found Object Art (M/T) – got trash? Turn trash into treasure as you transform everyday objects into fabulous works of art.
- Papermaking (M/T) – learn the techniques that turn ordinary materials into beautiful handmade paper for constructing a special journal, writing personalized letters, or paper casting in a mold.
- Maskmaking (M/T) – people all over the world make masks to use for dancing, drama and storytelling. In this class, artists will use various materials to create a 3D mask for their own performances.
- Jewelry Making (M/T) – turn beads and bangles into bracelets, necklaces, and earrings to wear for every special occasion. Discover various techniques for stringing beads and creating clasps.
- Metal Sculpting (W/TH) – working with an experienced instructor, design and build a metal sculpture as you learn the step-by-step process from sketching to soldering.
- Bookmaking (W/TH) – create a journal or sketchbook to hold your favorite drawings and poems in this class where artists will explore bookbinding methods and construction techniques.
- Puppetry (W/TH) – an exploration of the art of puppetry. Create your own hand puppet using a variety of materials.
- Kite Making (W/TH) – discover the joy of making and then flying a kite! Learn how to decorate and assemble a fully functioning kite and learn how to make it soar in the summer sky.
- Photography (M/T/W/TH) – students will investigate the world around them using the lens of a camera to create a portfolio of images that represent their point of view.
- Cartooning (M/T/W/TH) – escape from the real world and learn how to create a new one in this action packed class full of adventure and excitement.
- Jazz/Hip Hop (M/T/W/TH) – an introduction to the art of jazz dance. This class will give instruction in basic techniques of beginning jazz, and incorporate a fun style of Hip Hop. It is designed to enable children to express themselves and worship God through fun-filled movement to Christian music.
- Drama (M/T/W/TH) – the art of putting on a good show, including character development, blocking, and staging, will be presented in this class for the budding thespian.
- Computer Art (M/T/W/TH) – bridge the gap between pencil and mouse as this class reveals how computers can be used to draw, paint, and illustrate artistic expression.
- Furniture Painting (M/T/W/TH) – back by popular demand, this class demonstrates and instills the techniques used to restore and decorate a piece of furniture for future use and aesthetic enjoyment.
6th-9th Overnight Camp
Core Classes:
Middle School Core Classes (Monday through Friday) present students with a wonderful opportunity to
choose a specific media and explore that discipline to its fullest. These have been
chosen and shaped to highlight fundamental aspects of the artistic process with all of
its forms and expressions. Class time will be spent focusing on the basic techniques and
methods in each media and will help students explore their specific interests. The goal,
for all of the core classes, is for each student to learn the tools they need to craft
pieces true to their artistic vision and to develop a visual language appropriate to
each media.
- Painting – a fantastic opportunity for artists to discover the possibilities of paint. Whether it's in watercolor, acrylic, or oil, this class will explore approaches and methods to produce authentic and expressive paintings. The painting core class will focus on fundamentals such as brushwork, color, and materials as well as painting genres such as still life scenes and landscapes.
- Drawing – the most essential tool in an artist's toolkit is a strong understanding of the basics of drawing, including line, perspective, composition, and materials. Drawing is essentially a way of learning to see, and then using the essential tools to communicate their individual artistic expression. This class will encourage students to develop their "eye," along with presenting them with skills to build a strong foundation for further study.
- Sculpture – using a variety of materials to explore the three-dimensional world, this class will investigate the art of getting your hands messy. From wood to wire, carving to casting, sculpting is art from all angles. In this class students will delve into the fundamentals of conceiving, composing, and constructing the basic sculptural forms as well as building a strong understanding of construction techniques.
- Photography – artists will learn the skills essential for taking successful digital photographs, including composing, lighting, and editing. Using a camera to build a portfolio of images that represent a particular point of view, this class will provide interesting and creative projects for students to expand their understanding of the world around them.
- Creative Writing – the written word is a powerful mode of expression with many aspects to explore and study. The creative writing core intends to ground students in a solid understanding of the fundamental tools used to craft expressive and meaningful poetry and prose. In studying literary techniques such as rhythm, meter, simile, and metaphor, students will begin to build a language for creative expression.
- Filmmaking – working together to create a short film, students will get a working knowledge of the skills and techniques used to produce an informative and entertaining piece. The filmmaking core class will explore the collaborative world of artistic expression with the entire class participating in the conception, planning, and execution of a single film that explores a shared artistic vision.
- Theater – the art of putting on a good show will all be explored in this class for the performing artist. Building an understanding of character development, blocking, and staging, along with other aspects of theatrical performances, are key components to all successful dramatic expression. This class will present a thorough knowledge of the physical and vocal characteristics that are important in creating a captivating performance, as well as an introduction to plot and character development.
- Graphic Design – necessary to creating strong images is an understanding of shape, line, and contrast, along with a well-developed eye for composition. These elements will all be closely studied as students learn how to successfully use computer software to manipulate pictures, text, and design.
Electives:
Elective classes (Monday through Thursday) offer occasions for further development of ideas
introduced in the core classes. Each elective class has been designed to support and supplement
the core classes. In most cases, the elective class presents specific projects for advance study
to build upon the skills learned throughout the day.
- Portrait Painting – for those artists who are interested in advance work in painting, this class will offer basic portrait painting techniques including facial proportions, color mixing, and stylistic expression.
- Furniture Painting – this class demonstrates and instills the techniques used to restore and decorate a piece of furniture for future use and aesthetic enjoyment.
- Large Object Sculpture – Sculpture in the extreme! This class expands on construction techniques to create life-size (or larger!!) artwork.
- Auto Design – in this class students will use advanced drawing techniques to explore the world of auto design.
- Comic Book Illustration – for students interested in comic books and anime, this is a great opportunity to learn how to craft characters and lay out storyboards for their own comic books.
- Skateboard/Skimboard Design – use the tools learned in graphic design to create a blueprint that the students will then use to produce their own skateboard or skimboard.
- Papermaking – learn the techniques that turn ordinary materials into beautiful handmade paper for binding a special journal, writing personalized letters, or paper casting in a mold.
- Jewelry Making – turn beads and bangles into bracelets, necklaces and earrings to wear for every special occasion. Discover various techniques for stringing beads, constructing cages for pendants and creating closures.
- Dance Jazz/Hip Hop – an introduction to the art of jazz dance. This class will give instruction in basic techniques of beginning jazz, also incorporating a fun style of Hip Hop. It is designed to enable children to express themselves and worship God through fun-filled movement to Christian music.
- Set Design – help create the sets for the theater or filmmaking class in this class while also learning construction and painting techniques as well as a basic understanding what goes into meeting the needs of a theatrical production.