Hamilton (OH) – School may be out, but learning never stops at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts.
Summer Camp Creativity 2024 – a six-week burst of kinetic kid energy – opened Monday, June 10, with a quartet of week-long experiential learning opportunities for young artists – Art Extravaganza, Science Masterminds, Forge & Facet: Teen Jewelry Camp and Clay Creations Camp.
“There’s nothing like having a building full of children to remind you what excitement and curiosity look like,” said Ian MacKenzie-Thurley, Fitton Center executive director. “Kate and her team do an amazing job coming up with opportunities across a broad spectrum of interests.”
That would be Director of Education and Community Outreach Kate Rowekamp, who said the jewelry camp is unique among the Fitton Center’s first-week offerings.
“Those campers are using tools not many young people consider when they make art,” she said. "They’re using torches and hammers to manipulate metals - well supervised, of course – and making art they can wear at the end of camp. They’re making heirlooms.”
Of course, each camp aims for a specific audience, so each is unique in its own right. Looking for something age appropriate? Gotcha covered with three different groups - 5 to 9, 7 to 12 and 12 to 16 - though there is some wiggle room for kids on the fence.Want a particular medium? The Fitton Center offers drawing, painting and fabric art. Digital, mosaic and printmaking. Sewing, creative writing and performing arts. To name but a few.
“We give the kids a tremendous amount of freedom to super-charge their imaginations and provide hands-on opportunities to expand their skills,” Rowekamp said. “Our campers discover new ways to look at – and positively respond to - the world around them.
“Our camps offer parents a safe, engaging and affordable place to bring their kids for at least a week in the summer. They know their children are in good hands here with our staff of experienced, professional arts educators. Their kids won’t be bored.”Especially since all of the studio classrooms in the building recently received technology upgrades. The education team even brought in extra help to assist with this busy period.
In addition to the actual camps, young artists get an opportunity to celebrate their work at the end of each session.
“That’s one of my favorite things we do,” MacKenzie-Thurley said “Parents and families come in and have a party with the kids, just like any of the professional exhibitions we host during the year. Having kids see their work treated with the same respect as people who make art for a living is a meaningful moment for them and for us.”
For a complete list of camps – including registration information – please visit our website here or call 513-863-8873, ext. 110.
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.
Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture
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