Young artists spread a week’s worth of work out on the lunch tables in Clarkston Junior High School’s cafeteria to show to family and friends.
They displayed a variety of art from the tenth annual Teen Art Camp, held for artists going into sixth to twelth grade.
‘There is a lot of freedom in art camp which lends itself to some really cool things,? said Claudia Keglovitz, art teacher at the junior high.
She started the camp 10 years ago as a way to introduce artist to different techniques, explore ideas and meet other artists.
Through the week they would ask each other for advice, especially the new campers to the four returners.
‘They would do a pastel drawing and walk by another and go ‘oh, wow. How did you do that?? They would pick each other’s brains,? said Keglovitz. ‘I encourage that.?
The campers learned a lot of different mediums throughout the week including working with pastels, charcoal, making ceramic tiles, linoleum tiles and encaustic painting – which they painted with beeswax.
‘I got to explore different mediums I didn’t explore before,? said Alison Henne.
The favorite among campers was working with linoleum tiles. Each artist started with a blank slate then used their creativity to carve a design or scene into the tile.
Next, they rolled different paint colors onto the tiles and used them for block printing, putting the design on sheets of paper.
‘The tiles were really fun,? said Grace Hutton, visiting the area from Springfield, Missouri. Grace and her older sister, Paige, were signed up for art camp so they had something to do while they were in Michigan.
Both were already interested in art and went to different camps in Missouri.
‘It is a lot more different then what we are used to,? said Paige. ‘There are more ways to express yourself.?
Daniel Deschaine took the opportunity to work more with pastels and charcoal and take more time working on different pieces.
‘Daniel is a natural,? said Keglovitz. ‘It was really neat to watch the returners grow with their art because they are more mature and developing their style more.?
The campers also worked on a collaborative piece – a sculpture. It started out as an chair from the art room with the seat piece broken off. It turned into a color piece with different elements incorporated into it – displaying each camper’s different taste and style.
Ideas for next year include having not as many activities so the campers can focus more attention on their artwork – but no matter what it will be fun. The Teen Art Camp is offered through Clarkston Community Education.