With the end of the school year in sight, it’s time to break out the calendar and frantically get those summer camp schedules squared away. Instead of the same old camp routine this year, why not let your budding artists nurture their inner Picasso or Frida Kahlo? With these 10 summer art camps, your kiddos can paint, play, and express themselves, all with the added bonus that there won’t be any paint splatter or mess for you to clean up.
City Art Farm
City Art Farm inspires kiddos to create faster than you can say “ee-i-ee-i-oh”. Joan Engelmeyer has been an artist for more than 25 years, 15 of them teaching art to youngsters, and City Art Farm is her studio in South Seattle. It’s also her city farm where her menagerie includes a dog, cats, goats and chickens and plenty of vegetables in her garden. Summer camps are geared towards campers ages 7 and up and include Encaustic Painting, Needle Felting Sculpture, Silkscreening, Masterwork, and Garden Inspirations.
Helpful Hint: Classes fill up fast; get on the registration bus now!
City Art Farm
3959 Renton Ave. S.
Seattle Wa 98108
206-327-3297
Online: cityartfarm.com/City_Art_Farm/Home.html
Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio
Located in a cheerful, light-filled space in Ravenna, Roaring Mouse offers creative arts classes and mini day camps for little artists as young as 2 1/2. Campers can register for one, two or three days per week and explore, construct, invent and collaborate freely through a variety of art materials.
Helpful Hint: Register online for camps now before they fill up.
Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio
7526 20th Ave. N.E.
Seattle 98115
206-522-1187
Online: roaringmouse.org
Gage Art School
Gage Art School Summer Workshops are dedicated to inspiring kiddos through art and movement. Art workshops are paired with dance/movement classes to help kiddos stay focused and interested. Instructors at this Capitol Hill art school are hoping they can guide little artistes to find their voices through art and build some artistic skills they can use throughout their life. Among the summer workshops: Creating Rainbows and Brazillian Groves, World Pottery and Hip Hop, and Robot Drawings and Capoeira. No matter which camp your lil’ artist chooses, he or she will be given the chance to share their artwork at 3 p.m. on the Friday of summer camp.
Helpful Hint: Classes are popular and fill up fast so check the online registration; waiting lists are available. On May 31, 2014 learn more about the Gage’s youth programs at a special open house. As a special bonus, new students who register for a summer class or workshop at the open house will receive a 10% discount off tuition.
Gage Academy of Art
1501 10th Ave. E., #101
Seattle, Wa 98102
206 323-4243
Online: gageacademy.org/index.php
Arts Aloft
Located in the Madrona neighborhood, Arts Aloft’s entire focus is on helping students ages 4-12 experience the pleasure of artistic self-expression while learning the techniques of the grand masters through multiple media, including tempera, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, ink, plaster, and clay. Kids can choose from a variety of summer camps including Renaissance Days, Pirate Camp, African Safari, Charlotte’s Web, and Harry Potter.
Helpful Hint: Kids must be at least 4 1/2 to attend summer camp. Classes fill up fast; register online.
Arts Aloft
3302 E. Spring St.
Seattle, Wa 98122
206-920-2015
Online: artsaloftforkids.com/index.html
Circle of Art Studios
If your little one’s fave toy is his markers and your home is littered with clay sculptures, paintings, and imaginative creations, it’s time to upgrade your kiddo’s knack for creativity at Circle of Art Studios. This special studio is all about fostering creativity in a fun, safe and encouraging environment. The Circle of Art Studios features artistic opportunities for kiddos ages three and up to create collages, sculptures, paintings, and more. And beyond their art camps and kid-centric classes, you’ll find kids art night outs and a bevy of birthday party offerings.
Helpful Hint: Summer camps begin June 16, 2014. Register online.
Circle of Art Studios
2821 Thorndyke Ave.
Seattle, Wa 98199
206-602-9776
Online: circleofartstudios.com
Art Maniac Studio
In addition to giving some of the most fun arts and crafts lessons in the city, owners Celine and Barbara even teach some of their lessons in French so your little artists can practice their français for that upcoming trip to the City of Lights. From clay to collage to jewelry to sewing, the diversity of offerings at Art Maniac Studio this summer will please any budding artist.
Helpful Hint: Full and half-day summer camps are available. View the summer camp schedule online.
Art Maniac Studio
13457 SE 27th Pl. (between N. 134th Ave. & S. 136th Ave.)
Bellevue, Wa 98005
206-499-5783
Online: artmaniacstudio.com
Local Community Centers
You don’t have to look much further than your neighborhood Community Center to find a variety of art camps. Whether it’s art, pottery, theatre or dance, local community centers have a little bit of everything. With 26 community centers around the city there are dozens of camps to choose from for kiddos as young as 3.
Helpful Hint: Dates and camp costs vary; view the summer camps catalog online.
Online: seattle.gov/parks
Thrive Art School
At Thrive Art School mini-Monets will learn new art techniques, focus on fun art projects and build self confidence. Summer camps cater to ages 5-8 and 8-12 and themes for the summer include the beach, Mexico, Wonderland, Cartoons and Clay, and America The Beautiful. Weekly camps are held in the mornings and afternoons and are three hours long.
Helpful Hint: Kiddos show off their masterpieces on the last day of camp at an art reception, something moms and dads won’t want to miss!
Ravenna Location
6329 Ravenna Ave. N.E.
Seattle, Wa 98115
206-522-1659
Madison Park Location
2900 E. Madison St., Suite #200
Seattle, Wa 98112
Phone: 206-522-1659
Online: drawingschool.com
Kirkland Arts Center
On the Eastside at the Kirkland Art Center, little artists are encouraged to experiment and explore. Weekly summer camps delve into a variety of artistic experiences so campers can choose different weekly themes based on senses, storytelling, Global Art or space exploration. Along with learning about art and creating their own projects, campers will venture out on field trips.
Helpful Hint: Summer camps are held at the Eastside Prepatory School for campers ages 5-8 and 9-12.
Phone: 425-822-7161
Online: kirklandartscenter.org/?q=content/summer-art-camp-2014
Smart with Art
During Smart with Art camps, budding artists will paint, draw, sculpt, design, imagine, sketch, collaborate and explore using a wide variety of materials and techniques, all in a fun and supportive atmosphere. In addition to the outdoor summer camps at their Snoqualmie studio, camps will be offered in Bellevue, Mercer Island and Kenmore for kids in preschool through 6th grade.
Helpful Hint: Classes range from Under the Sea to Under the Big Top. View the available camps online and be sure to register soon; classes fill up quickly.
Phone: 425-420-2677
Online: smartwithart.net/index.html
Where will your little artists be creating this summer? Let us know in a comment below.
–Natalia Dotto
Photo credit: Gage Art School, Joan Englemeyer, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Arts Aloft, Thrive Art School & Kirkland Arts Center
