Parkersburg Art Center’s Camp Creativity wraps-up for the summer | News, Sports, Jobs

Charlie Martin explores nature in Melissa’s Garden during Camp Creativity. He participated in camp the week of July 19-23. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Camp Creativity at the Parkersburg Art Center is in its final week.

Campers this summer worked with the theme “Escape on a Fantastic Voyage: Explore the Visual Arts!”

The Art Center hosted the annual camps for kids as young as 4 and as old as those entering their senior year of high school.

Camp Creativity provides a variety of visual arts experiences. Kids explore art media, techniques, styles and learn about the work of famous and not-so-famous artists. Lesson plans for each week are different so children can sign-up for more than one and enjoy a fresh experience each time.

“Many of our campers will attend two or, sometimes, three weeks of the sessions for their age group. It is wonderful to see them throughout the summer and returning year after year,” Jessica Siefert, managing director and education director at the Art Center, said. “Some of our teen volunteers this summer started out in the ArtStart Preschool program that is also housed here at the Art Center. They grow up with us and we love that.”

A classroom of the June camp week for kids entering grades 1-3. (Photo Provided)

To maintain COVID-19 safety protocols for Camp Creativity 2021, students were in small, self-contained classrooms with their own table and their own set of art supplies for the week. Camp drop-off and pick-up schedules were staggered to avoid crowding at the entrances and students were greeted and dismissed from our exterior doors.

Large-group gallery shows also were suspended.

Camp sponsors are WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center and Williamstown Bank and with funding from the Henry Logan Children’s Home, the Art Center was able to keep classes small while hiring excellent instructors, purchasing quality materials and offering many need-based scholarships, Seifert said.

Camp Creativity registration for summer 2022 will open in early March. This year’s camp had waiting lists for most weeks, so it is recommended to register early, Seifert said.

The Parkersburg Art Center is a nonprofit, community arts organization where all are welcome.

Lena Skidmore collages in Creativity Camp for students entering grades 4-6. (Photo Provided)