The Art of Mathematics
Teaching Artist: Jenny Ernst

Campers made works of art with surprisingly beautiful mathematical patterns. They learned to fold Japanese origami and cut paper folds that stretch out to reveal reflecting figures. Campers also used straight lines to create optical illusions you only thought could be done on a computer!

Mixed Media Landscape Drawings
Teaching Artist: Gabriela Nunez

Campers experimented with drawing materials including charcoal, ink, graphite and more! They used the outdoors as subject matter and inspiration. They also explored shading, texture, line quality, and composition.

Wire Sculpture & Chainmaking Studio
Teaching Artist: David Dawson

Campers learned a variety of ways to make shapes from metal wire- from ancient Etruscan and Roman chain patterns to fanciful three-dimensional drawings in multi-colored wire. Basic techniques and tools for manipulating brass, copper, and nickel wire were explored.

Plastic Fantastic
Teaching Artist: Laurel Nathanson

Did you know Plexiglas can be used for more than just windows and cocktail menu stands? In this course the campers were able to use the transparent properties of Plexi to create one of a kind wall pieces. Using traditional art processes such as collage, painting and drawing, campers worked directly on and under different layers of Plexi creating a colorful multilayered creations.

Costumes with David
Teaching Artist: David Dawson

Build yourself a new face! Not that the one you’ve got isn’t excellent already, but why have only one when you could have two? A costume is art you can wear! In this class campers learned a variety of mask-making, garment alteration and sculpture techniques along with a lot of imagination to make characters come to life on the stage or on the street. Campers transformed plaster, foam, wire, knits and knick-knacks into durable, dynamic and dramatic costumes.

Cartooning
Teaching Artist: Doug Calderon
Campers learned to develop their drawing skill by exploring cartooning. They explored character development and storytelling. They created their own cartoon characters and comic strips. Drawing and inking techniques were used, in addition to writing a comic book story.

Woodworking
Teaching Artist: David Dawson
Starting with pieces of rare and beautiful wood, campers designed their own box with either a hinged or fitted lid, a secret compartment, and perhaps inlaid mosaic designs. Using handsaws, sanders, files, drills, clamps and glue, they cut, assembled and finished their own finely crafted pieces of functional art.

Intro to B Boy / B Girl Dance
Teaching Artist: Dereek “DerLeek”
B – Boy / B – Girl dancing is an exciting style of breakdancing that goes beyond the basics of breakdancing. In this class the basics to breakdancing were covered. The campers were introduced to the components that are found in “B – Boy / B – Girl”. Some styles included: the breakdown of battles (battle of skills), leg sweeps, power movers and freezes.

Below are pictures of the Friday dance performance:

Clay Handbuilding
Teaching Artist: Shuhui Yang
Campers learned how to make pottery and sculpture using the hand building techniques of pinching and coiling. Projects included cups, bowls, and animal sculptures.

Crazy Creature Re-Mix
Teaching Artist: Meredith MacLeod
Campers created their our own monsters out of pieces of other stuffed animals and dolls. They used hand sewing, hot glue and other techniques to make their creatures come to life!

Pop Art Pet Paintings
Teaching Artist: Annie Goodsill
Campers learned about Pop Art while painting colorful pictures of their pets. Techniques learned included line, use of color, composition, and abstraction. If they didn’t have a pet, they painted an imaginary one!

Here they are busy making mixed media jewelry masterpieces:

And here are some of the final mixed media jewelry creations:

On the first day of Meredith Macleod’s Fantastic Fashion sewing class, campers worked with basic patterns and home sewing machines to create pieces of fashion. The campers practiced creating everything from bags to dresses. Before making their final pieces, they practiced sewing techniques on small samples and more basic pieces in order to practice for more challenging work:

Towards the end of the week, Moses took photos of the campers wearing their remarkable fashion pieces. Here are some of the images:

In Soap, Scents and Color, taught by artist Judy Rattner, campers are exposed to creating soap by melting different types glycerin soaps. For each soap one scent is mixed into the soap then the color is added and then the mixture is poured into the mold of choice. For this week’s soap class, campers got more adventurous with the shapes and concepts for their soap pieces. For example, here’s slices of soap molded into slices of strawberry shortcake:

In Cartooneria (Paper Mache) class campers used recycled materials to create colorful 3D pieces of art such as animals, vases, boxes, bowls and plates. Art pieces were then painted and decorated. Here are the campers, along with Artist Instructor Gabriela Nunez:

In Capoeira class taught by Melissa Crago, campers learned basic Capoeria movements and defenses, learned Capoeira songs in Portuguese, and learned how to play the basic instruments used in Capoeira. They focused on basic acrobatics and tumbling. These photos were taken during the Friday performance:

In the Exquisite Embellishments class taught by Meredith MacLeod, campers used fabric paint, photo transfers, raised relief sewing, embroidery, buttons, and sequins to create very special dimensional textile works of art. Here they are working on their pieces alongside Artist Instructor Meredith:

For Moses LaSabra’s class Digital Photography, campers used digital cameras and learned how to take photos. The class was divided into small groups. The campers took turns photographing one another. The focus of the class was portraits and taking people photographs. The photos were printed at camp using a color printer. Students then were given a chance to make their own picture frames for their photos. Here they are taking photos and making picture frames:

Also, during Week Four, the kids got to take part in Frosting Madness with Melissa Crago. It’s Art with sugar! This class consisted of creating colorful frosting and painting with the frosting on graham crackers. I wasn’t able to watch the end but I assume they were allowed to eat their creations! Yummy!

In World Textiles with Kara Fortune, kids were allowed to explore Indonesian, African and Native American textile and printing techniques. Students created stamps, stencils, tie dying, and also block printing designs and patterns on fabric.

Fun Week!

Week 3 was a great week for me to see what my own daughter was doing. In particular, I saw her in Judy’s painting class, Inside Outside Landscape Painting. She was so excited to share her painting with me. It was a painting of a tree on the campus.

Park Day not only teaches visual arts, but it also has performing arts classes. One of its newest instructors, Derrick “DereLeek” (pronounced Dare-Leak) started breakdancing over 8 years ago. He has traveled the world, competed against some of the best dancers in the world, and won some of the most prestigious dance competitions. Here he is in class with the park day campers:

Also teaching this week, Mandy Lockwood, who teaches Environmental Sculpture. Salvaging materials from construction projects such as scrap lumber, windows, cabinet doors, and drawers, Amanda strives to literally impact the environment by keeping materials out of landfills and giving them a second life, while keeping nature and our relationship with it as the ongoing theme in her work. Here are some of her students at work:

Finally, the kids had more free play time! Here are some campers playing together on the campus structure:

Here are some campers hanging out with Counselors in Training:

Here’s one camper with great face paint:

And here are a few campers in the game room building plastic structures:

It was a wonderful week, again!

The kids in the class are actively engage, respond well to suggestions, and love what they are making. I was able to sit in on the Blue Group class this week.

From what I gathered from watching the class, the kids take base supplies like white and clear glycerin. Then they add fragrances and color. They also add cute little accents like in the following photos:

They can also make molds:

Here are some more campers working on the process. They are creating layers, spraying each layer with alcohol to create a barrier, and then adding second layers:

Here is some gorgeous soap, made by all ages of campers during this week: