SWAC Art Summer Camp For Teens

We’re on the move AGAIN! This year, we will be nestled at the
beautiful Carriage House in Prospect Park! Also, each week of this
summer’s art camps will focus on a different art skill. Week One
will focus on Watercolor Techniques by offering a daily drawing
lesson. The Teen Art Camps are open to teens, ages 12-18
(middle school and high school), who are developing as visual
artists. Although the focus of the camp is on art-making, the teen
camp is open to digital art creators and writers/literary artists who
would like to bring their own fully charged hand-held devices (there
will be spots available to charge if needed). A variety of art
materials are included for teens to choose from (acrylic paints,
pastels, alcohol markers, colored pencils, charcoal, collage, sculpting
clay, and more). Teens are welcome to bring their own materials
from home as well. Here’s what you and your teen can expect:
Essentially, each day of camp will include a drawing lesson, Open
Studio Time for teens to work on their own wish-list of projects, and
self-directed breaks to explore the park. It can’t be all work and no
play! We may also throw in a group art project which has become
a camp favorite activity.
Day 1: Develop an Artist Plan. It sounds serious, but it’s not! Artists
need to make plans. Otherwise, we can end up swimming in “idea”
lakes forever. Creators will simply explore their interests and ideas
in order to come up with a starting point goal about the kinds of
projects that they would like to work on during the week. The goal
will be visited daily and will remain flexible. Artists will also get their
first Watercolor Lesson and they will be expected to apply
drawing to one project for the week.
Day 2-3: Daily painting skill lessons and Open Studio Time to work
on their individual Artist Plans. During Open Studio Time, teens
receive individualized micro-lessons and tips, get support turning
“mistakes” into opportunities, and/or receive guidance on how to
work through moments of self-doubt.

Day 4: Teen Creators will be asked to select their favorite project(s)
of the week to put in an Art Showcase on the last day of camp. The
goal is to enjoy looking at the work and take a moment to tell
family/friends about it. These days will include the daily painting
skill lesson and Open Studio Time to work on their individual Artist
Plans.
Day 5: Finalize Work to put in the Artist Showcase.
(Note: 12 year olds can attend either the Kids’ art camp or the
Teens art camp. We find that 12 year olds who are in middle school
tend to be a good fit in the Teen art camp and those in elementary
school are a good fit for the Kids art camp. The choice is entirely
up to the parent.)