School's out! Now what?

It's time for summer camp!

​I know a lot of parents are looking for something fun and creative for their kids to do this summer. Something that doesn’t involve a digital device!

As a mom and art teacher, I get it. When my kids were in elementary school there were no art classes, so I stepped in and taught art as a volunteer. I didn’t follow the lesson plans, I came up with projects that the kids could have fun doing whether they had art talent or not. The kids learned about color and expression, and had a blast.

​That’s why I started my Summer Art Camp in Alameda. I love having kids in my studio, exploring their creativity. We start by painting on canvas working from a photo (I have lots for them to choose from -- landscapes, still lifes, animals, etc). They get to experiment with color and learn about techniques.

During the week we get into other mediums, like painting on a 3D object or a piece of furniture. We also do collage, Shibori tie dye, acrylic pouring where they spill paint on canvas and push the paint around with a popsicle stick or string. It’s very fun and very messy (be sure they wear old clothes that day!)

​Kids with a short attention span love to paint on mini canvases. They can work out an idea and paint it quickly, doing several in a day. I’ve seen some gorgeous pieces come out of it. 

For any child who is not satisfied with the way their work is going, we push through difficulties and keep going. I make sure they never feel they can’t do it. There’s a life lesson in the process, and they go home with a sense of accomplishment. 

​The many benefits of summer art camp
Besides having a finished artwork to take home at the end of the day, there are so many benefits to our art classes. When children are encouraged to express themselves through art, they develop a sense of confidence that carries over into their adult lives. Young artists are more forward thinking than their peers and more willing to take risks, reports PBS Parents. Art also helps children fine-tune their motor skills, and it impacts visual learning, language development, decision making and cultural awareness. 

When I see kids working on their paintings and not focused on their phones, I’m so happy, I take a picture for their parents!

​There are still some spaces available in our Summer Art Camps in Alameda.
​Check the schedule, and sign up here.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SUMMER ART CAMPS