The South Carolina State Museum will celebrate the beginning of summer with two week-long art camps beginning June 7. “Inspired by current exhibitions and behind-the-scenes access to the museum’s collection, young participants will learn the basic techniques of pottery, portraiture and photography,” said Director of Programs and Education Meika Samuel. “These special camps are for children ages 5 – 12 (5-year-olds must have completed kindergarten in the 09/10 school year) and run from 9 a.m. – noon.”
From June 7 – 11, rising 4th – 7th graders will explore the elements of self-portraiture: anatomy, proportion, posture, hairstyle depiction, etc., using an assortment of paper techniques. Students will learn about contour and gesture drawing, measuring techniques, and create an accurate self-portrait with a full value range.
From June 14 – 18, K5 – rising 3rd graders will explore the many possibilities of creating pictures of people. Campers (and future artists) will investigate how and why portraits are made and what they represent once completed. Using a variety of media, campers will create photographic, ceramic collage and painted portraits.
“Campers also will tour the State Museum’s exhibit Tangible History: Stoneware from the Holcombe Family Collection and see pottery made by prehistoric craftspeople, slave potters, contemporary folk potters and many more,” Samuel said. “In addition, they will explore the current photography exhibit Palmetto Portraits: Images by Contemporary South Carolina Photographers.
Drop-off is available every morning beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the group visits entrance of the Museum. Pick-up is available after the program ends at the same location.
Cost of the art camp is $105 for general public, $85 for members. Price includes all materials, and fees are non-refundable. Enrollment forms are available for download from the State Museum’s Web site,
www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org. Forms may be faxed (803-898-6988) or mailed to the State Museum (301 Gervais St., Loading Zone D, Columbia, S.C. 29201).
To register by telephone or for more information, parents may call 803-898-4952 or e-mail
publicprograms@scmuseum.org.