Clay Camp (Ages 6 to 12)

Description

Squish it, roll it, pinch it, coil it, carve it, and create! If you love getting your hands messy and making amazing things, this is the camp for you.

Spend the week discovering the fascinating journey of clay—from how it forms deep within the earth to the many ways artists transform it into beautiful works of art. We'll explore the different types of clay, including air-dry clay, Model Magic, oven-bake clay, and pottery clay, learning what makes each one unique and the best ways to use them.

Young artists will master essential hand-building techniques like pinching, coiling, slab building, rolling, texturing, carving, and joining pieces together as they create whimsical gnomes, colorful fish, wise owls, tiny creatures, decorative bowls, imaginative sculptures, and more. Along the way, they'll experiment with texture tools, stamps, and found objects to add personality and detail to every creation.

We'll also discover how artists finish their work using sanding, painting, glazing, sealing, and other decorative techniques to transform simple clay into lasting works of art.

Please note: Our new pottery studio and kiln may not be ready in time for this camp, so projects will focus on air-dry, Model Magic, and oven-bake clays. We'll still learn about pottery clay, firing, glazing, and the complete ceramic process so campers are ready to explore the kiln when it opens.

By the end of the week, campers will head home with a collection of unique clay creations, new sculpting skills, and a deeper appreciation for one of the world's oldest and most versatile art forms.