MC Department of Art’s summer camps let local children express themselves creatively

Campers will make art each day in MC’s art studios using a variety of materials and processes, including ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing and printmaking.

Youth interested in exploring dynamic forms of creativity and high schoolers focused on graphic design, interior design, gouache painting, ceramics or photography will find plenty to spark their imaginations at summer art camps hosted by the Department of Art at Mississippi College.

The Young Artists Camp for rising second-to-sixth graders is scheduled from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 23 through 26 at the Gore Arts Complex on MC’s east campus. Campers will make art each day in MC’s art studios using a variety of materials and processes, including ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing and printmaking. The cost is $150 per student and includes all art materials, insurance and an apron.

Two high school student camp options are available. Classes for students interested in graphic design or interior design are scheduled from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 23 through 26 in the Aven Fine Arts Building on MC’s main campus.

Classes for students interested in gouache painting, ceramics or darkroom photography are scheduled from 1-4 p.m. June 23 through 26 at the Gore Arts Complex. The cost is $200 per student for either a morning or afternoon session or $350 for both; the cost includes all art materials, insurance and an apron.

The department’s goal is to help students achieve personal and professional fulfillment through artistic expression and practice. Students develop their traditional and contemporary artistic skills while embracing the lifelong learning process that is essential to success in the arts.

Nate Jarnagin, administrative assistant in the MC Department of Art and Gore Arts Complex coordinator, said the elementary camp resembles a survey class in several different artistic styles.

“The children get to use several media to do various projects throughout the week,” he said. “Students at the high school level can specialize in a specific area, such as ceramics, gouache painting or interior design.”

Jarnagin said the highlight of the camps occurs on the final day, when students take their parents on a tour of the Gore Arts Complex.

“The kids take their parents from room to room and describe to them what they worked on in each room during camp,” he said. “That’s been a popular part of the camp for both the parents and the kids.”

For more information about art camps, email Elise Payne at empayne@mc.edu. To register a child for the weeklong activity, visit www.art.mc.edu/events/summer-camps.