Creativity was in the air at Clarkston Junior High School during the annual Teen Art Camp, June 15-18.
Campers going into grades 6-12 were able to create using charcoal, paint, colored pencils and encaustic wax. The camp favorites were also back in forms of screenprinting and alternative sketchbooks.
“They will probably be around for a while,” said Claudia Keglovitz, junior high art teacher, about the books made out of discarded library books.
“With the huge push for libraries throwing out the books these make such beautiful sketchbooks for students to use. I use them in my classroom for sketchbooks for students to use,” she added.
Many of the campers were returners from previous years, including Madison Sinclair.
“It was really fun,” Sinclair said, while she waited for her journal to dry.
One of her favorite pieces from this year’s camp was melting crayons onto canvas.
Her sister, Jordan, joined Madison for her first year at the camp. Her favorite piece was one she created out of marbles and stained glass.
“It is a lot of texture,” she smiled. “I like the feel of the marbles and the glass. The pieces give it a different texture.”
The two items were objects found in the classroom.
“I really allow these guys to do some experimentation in the found objects and things we have in the room,” said Keglovitz. “We have glass, hardware, reclaimed wood, and tons of fabric. That’s how I work as an artist – I am a mixed media artist. I can’t help it but to show what I do.”
Bailey Smith, an art teacher at Independence Elementary, also showed her strength through printmaking.
“Bailey and my strengths as artists come out in camp because don’t have to follow a curriculum,” Keglovitz said. “We have 27 people doing 27 different things. If they want to learn it, we will teach it.”
For example, one of the campers asked for chalkboard paint and Keglovitz brought it in for all the campers to use.
“They are using the chalkboard paint in their books and surfaces to use one-of-a-kind pieces,” she added.
The campers also used high-fire clay which was left over from the ninth grade Design class’s Academic Service Learning project, which they created a clay mural for O.A.T.S.
“They are doing stoneware tiles,” Keglovitz said. “We are taking full advantage of what is left from the wonderful project because it is more expensive. It is very special and it is a professional grade quality art supply to use. It gives them a good opportunity to use it.”
Dominic Maniscalchi added he enjoyed his first year of camp as he demonstrated a shield and sword he created.
“It is really fun and interesting,” he added. “It is a fun way to learn a new art form and how to make your art better. I am also working on a painting.”
Teen Art Camp is offered through Clarkston Community Education. For more information about this camp and other camps, please visit’www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/cec.