Registration is underway for the Albany Museum of Art’s 13 week-long summer art camps, which start the day after Memorial Day and continue through the end of July. Campers will explore everything from superheroes and fairytales to the culinary arts, textiles, and the business of art.

“We have exciting new themes for many of our camps this summer,” AMA Director of Education and Public Programming Annie Vanoteghem said. “For instance, middle and high schoolers can explore graphic novels and textiles, while younger campers will examine subjects including the arts and sciences and folklore. We also have three morning camps for toddlers.

“We also have doubled up on some favorites. Chef Todd White will have two culinary camps, one for middle and high school campers and a second one for kids in grades 1-5. And we’ll have two Artrepreneur camps—one for middle and high school, and one for K-5^th grade—on the same week in June, ending up on that Friday with a big pop-up market where they’ll sell their art products.”

Each camp has a theme with activities and projects that are appropriate for the age group of the campers. “It won’t be all indoors. We’ll also make sure they get some time outside to absorb much-needed Vitamin D,” Vanoteghem said. “Campers can bring a brown bag lunch or you can purchase lunch with your registration. All campers enjoy the pizza party on the final day of each camp.”

Registration is underway and some camps already are filling, she said. A listing of all the camps can be found at the summer camps webpage, www.albanymuseum.com/ama_programs/summer-art-camps.

Scholarships funded through donations made during the Wayne and Alicia Gregory Family Foundation Paddle Raise at Art Ball are available for campers. The link to the scholarship application form can be found on the summer camp webpage.

“We have a set number of scholarships available for each camp,” Vanoteghem said. “The first round of scholarship recipients has been notified, and the notification to the second group of recipients will be made on April 26. The final round of scholarship award recipients will be notified on May 17.”

High school and college students who need community service hours, or who just love art and working with kids, can volunteer to be aides for the camp instructors. “This is a great opportunity for high school and college students to get some experience while also benefiting younger kids,” Vanoteghem said.  A student who volunteers and works a full week at a camp can earn 40 volunteer hours. Middle schoolers (6^th grade or higher) are eligible to serve as volunteers for Littles and K-5^th grade camps. A link to the volunteer application form also may be found on the summer camps webpage.

Albany Museum of Art summer camps by age group are:

Littles I (June 10-14), Littles II (June 24-28), and Littles III (July 15-19)
Hours: 9 am-noon.

Littles Camp is designed for our youngest campers to make new friends, play and learn in the AMAzing Space children's gallery, and explore the world of art through activities such as color mixing, collaging, and more.

Arts & Sciences Camp (May 28-31)
Hours: Full day, 9 am-4 pm; Half-day, 9 am-noon or 1-4 pm. Free early drop-off at 8 am and late pick-up at 5 pm.

Arts & Sciences Camp offers a dynamic blend of art and science explorations, providing young minds with a diverse range of activities to inspire their curiosity and foster their talents. Imagination knows no bounds with four days of art projects, gallery visits, outdoor activities, creative indoor games, and time for dancing and movies.

Fairytales & Folklore Camp (June 3-7)
Hours: Full day, 9 am-4 pm; Half-day, 9 am-noon or 1-4 pm. Free early drop-off at 8 am and late pick-up at 5 pm.

At Fairytales and Folklore Camp, every moment is infused with wonder, creativity, and the joy of discovery. Campers embark on a magical journey through the realms of imagination, where dreams take flight and legends come to life.

Young Artrepreneurs (June 17-21)
Hours: Full day, 9 am-4 pm; Half-day, 9 am-noon or 1-4 pm. Free early drop-off at 8 am and late pick-up at 5 pm.

This is a camp for the business-minded kid who loves art. Students will devise and execute their art-related business over the week. Activities will include creating a personal business card and logo. Students will sell their art/products at a Pop-Up Market on Friday, June 21, from 3:30-5 pm at the AMA.

Superheroes & Villains Camp (July 22-26)
Hours: Full day, 9 am-4 pm; Half-day, 9 am-noon or 1-4 pm. Free early drop-off at 8 am and late pick-up at 5 pm.

The camper’s inner hero is unleashed in an electrifying adventure filled with creativity, friendship, and fun. This camp offers an immersive experience where campers will dive into the thrilling realm of superheroes and villains, exploring their powers, virtues, and epic battles.

Culinary Arts Camp (July 8-12)
Hours: Full day, 9 am-4 pm; Half-day, 9 am-noon or 1-4 pm. No early drop-off at 8 am and late pick-up at 5 pm.

Chef Todd White will immerse campers in the world of cooking as they learn essential kitchen skills, knife techniques, nutrition and label reading, growing food, menu writing, plating and table setting, and more! Through interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities, children will develop a strong foundation in culinary arts while exploring their passion for food.

Textiles Camp (June 10-14)
Hours: 9 am-4 pm. No early drop-off, but late pick-up at 5 pm is available.

Campers will dive into the vibrant world of fashion design led by Heather Ashberry of Beatrice Wormwood Ink. The camper will explore the mesmerizing art of dyeing fabrics, transforming them into vibrant canvases for your imagination; the world of patterns and motifs, mastering techniques like screen printing and block printing to add depth and dimension to designs; the fundamentals of sewing, from basic stitches to advanced techniques like quilt piecing and appliqué; upcycling, where the camper will embrace sustainability by revamping old clothing items with new unique designs, turning forgotten pieces into fashion statements.
Note: Some materials will be required for this camp, such as a sketchbook and old clothing to upcycle.

Artrepreneurs (June 17-21)
Hours: 9 am-4 pm. Early drop-off at 8 am and late pick-up at 5 pm are available.

This camp is for the business-minded middle and high schoolers who love art. Students will devise and execute their art-related business over the week. Activities will include creating a personal business card and logo. Students will sell their art/product on Friday. June 21, from 3:30-5 pm at the Pop-Up Market.

Culinary Camp (June 24-28)
Hours: Full day, 9 am-4 pm; Half-day, 9 am-noon or 1-4 pm. No early drop-off, but late pick-up at 5 pm is available.

Chef Todd White will immerse campers in the world of cooking as they learn essential kitchen skills, knife techniques, nutrition and label reading, growing food, menu writing, plating and table setting, and more. Through interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities, students will develop a strong foundation in culinary arts while exploring their passion for food.

Multimedia Camp (July 8-12)
Hours: 9 am-4 pm. No early drop-off, but late pick-up at 5 pm is available.

Led by instructor Megan Lisenby, this immersive camp promises a week of creativity, experimentation, and discovery like never before. Throughout the week, students will explore a diverse range of artistic mediums and techniques, including drawing and painting, mixed-media collage, sculpture and 3D design, printmaking, and experimental art.

Drawing Graphic Novels Camp (July 15-19)
Hours: 9 am-4 pm. No early drop-off, but late pick-up at 5 pm is available.

Under the expert guidance of Megan Lisenby, students will delve into the fundamentals of graphic novel creation, mastering essential techniques and honing their skills in illustration, narrative development, and character design. Areas that will be explored include story development, character design, illustration techniques, panel layout and composition, and portfolio development.

“We are always excited when summer camp season comes around,” Vanoteghem said. “The kids bring life to the museum, and we love to watch as skills and talent develop each year in returning campers. We’re looking forward to another terrific summer!”
 
AMA EXHIBITIONS

• Gold Soundz, works by Rob Matre is Feb 1-April 20, in the Haley Gallery.
• Andy Warhol: Hand-Colored Flowers is Feb 1-April 20, in the East Gallery.
• Educators as Artists, 5th juried exhibition, is Feb 1-April 20 in the McCormack Gallery.
• Old Master Drawings from the Shaffer Collection is Feb 1, 2024-Jan 25, 2025 in the Hodges Gallery.
• Escape Plan, an installation by Elinor Saragoussi, is in the West Gallery.

ABOUT THE ALBANY MUSEUM OF ART

The Albany Museum of Art is located at 311 Meadowlark Drive in Albany, Ga., adjacent to Albany State University West Campus just off Gillionville Road. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.  The Albany Museum of Art is open to the public 10 am-5 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays.  Admission is free.

For more information about the AMA please visit our website, www.albanymuseum.com, or call 229.439.8400. Be sure to follow the @AlbanyArtMuseum on Twitter, AlbanyMuseum on Instagram, and AlbanyMuseumOfArt on Facebook.

The Albany Museum of Art has a slate of 13 week-long camps, each with an art-related theme, scheduled for this summer. Registration is open at the AMA website, www.albanymuseum.com. (Photo: Albany Museum of Art/Annie Vanoteghem)