Week 3 - Summer Arts Camp

Oh my goodness… puppies and kitties are just the cutest!!! If your little artist agrees then this week of camp is definitely for them! Inspired by our playful, sometimes mischievous furry friends we’ll glue, lace, and stamp to create pet portraits, animal “stuffies,” and other paw-some art projects. 

Jump into a week of colorful creativity as you explore art styles from different movements and eras. Each day brings a new style—like Cubism, Abstract, or Surrealism—to experiment with using paints, drawing tools, and mixed media. Campers will learn what made each movement unique while creating their own fun and original projects. This camp is all about discovering new techniques, trying different materials, and having fun with art history. 

Get immersed in the colorful, tactile and meditative world of weaving! Originating almost simultaneously in every corner of the globe, weaving offers a history rich in tradition and ingenuity which we will use to inspire our week together. Working at their own pace, new weavers will discover how simple materials can be used to weave everything from expressive artwork to functional coasters, cords and bookmarks. Young artists will come home with a sense of pride in their creations and the skills and knowledge to continue weaving long after camp is over.  

Get your hands dirty this summer! Learn about clay and the basic techniques of throwing pottery on the wheel. Create cups and bowls and experiment with different techniques for adding finishing touches to your work. All work will be fired with food-safe glazes. Look for an email from the Phipps when the pottery is ready for pick up, approximately two weeks after camp. Closed-toed shoes must be worn in the Ceramics Studio. 

This acrylic painting camp is designed for young artists who want to build their skills, experiment with paint, and begin to find their unique artistic style. Campers will learn basic skills like color mixing and brushwork, then explore more advanced techniques throughout the week. Campers will create paintings inspired by animals, landscapes, and a variety of art styles, as well as choice-based projects driven by their own ideas. This camp encourages trying new things, making creative choices, and having fun with paint. 

This camp is a creative, hands-on experience designed for teens who love fashion, creativity, or learning new skills. Campers will learn the basics of sewing, pattern reading, and fabric selection while creating their own projects from start to finish. Throughout the camp, teens will build confidence using sewing machines, practice simple design techniques, and explore their personal style in a supportive and welcoming environment. Each participant will leave with completed handmade items, new sewing skills, and inspiration to keep creating long after camp ends. At the end of the week we will have a fashion show to show off our amazing runway looks! 

Campers will experiment with creating characters and scenes through the lens of stories using animal characters and storylines from traditional fairytales like The Three Pigs & The Three Bears, Michael McClintock's A FLY WENT BY, a rainforest fable & Mary Casanova's ONE-DOG CANOE adventure. Movement, imagination play, song and visual arts combine for a week of joyful creativity. Campers will do a demonstration of what they have learned on the final day of camp. 

Planning to audition for your school productions or shows at the Phipps? Auditions can feel intimidating and stressful—but they don’t have to be. In this camp, campers will learn how to approach auditions with confidence and positivity in a supportive environment led by an experienced actor and director. Participants will explore tips and techniques for successful auditions and develop an individual monologue they can take with them at the end of camp. 

In this exciting design camp, campers will learn the foundational elements of theatrical design and basic script analysis. Through drawing and vision‑board creation, students will explore how to translate a story’s design ideas into tangible concepts for a production.  They will bring one of their designs to life in a shoebox diorama, a scale or 3D model for an assigned scene or show. 

The Hunger Games, The Book Thief, The Firekeepers Daughter. Campers will experiment with transforming words on the page into living, breathing, feeling characters for a live audience. Looking for a deeper dive into dramatic acting? Come and create new stories using your favorites as the foundation through improvisation and other theatre devising techniques. 

Learn how to make pretend fights look real on stage! This introductory camp teaches physical awareness, safety and fundamental moves and techniques. We will explore how stage combat contributes to both staging and storytelling within a scene or production. Stage Combat is an exciting element to add to your actor's toolbox. 

Have a great idea for a play? Already started working on one? This camp is for new and emerging playwrights. Come and learn the basics of writing scripts for the stage. Work in collaboration with teacher and fellow writers to hone your dialogue and character development. Finish the week with some stage-ready script material! 

Come and dance like you’re defying gravity! Or at least have a lot of fun dancing to the soundtrack from the new movie musical, Wicked. Dancers will learn musical theater jazz style moves in across the floor combinations and some choreography to show to parents/caregivers on the last day of camp. Dress requirement: athletic clothing, ballet or jazz shoes recommended, but socks are ok.