Get ready for a week of creativity, exploration, and outdoor adventure! In Nature Art day camp, young artist-scientists will immerse themselves in magical Fort Worden State Park, using nature as both their inspiration and their canvas.

Campers will learn to draw from observation, create stunning earth sculptures inspired by eco-artists like Andy Goldsworthy, and experiment with a variety of natural materials to craft unique works of art. Through hands-on activities, they will discover the fascinating patterns, textures, and colors of the world around them.

Each day will be filled with creative projects, fun outdoor games, and guided explorations that encourage curiosity, teamwork and connect art with the science of nature. Whether building ephemeral sculptures on the beach, sketching towering trees, or playing nature-inspired games, campers will carry with them a deeper appreciation for art, science, and the outdoors.

SUPPLY INFORMATION

All required art supplies are provided.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Aliina Lahti is a certified K-12 teacher, watercolorist, abstract painter, eco-artist, and a certified yoga instructor. Her exploration of art in and with nature began with childhood mud pies in her backyard and continues to be inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She thrives when teaching classes in the great outdoors, using art as a tool for self-exploration, grounding, meditation, and play. With degrees in visual art and ecology, she deeply appreciates the interconnectedness of all living things. Her teaching encourages playful, whole-body integration and acceptance, incorporating movement, stretch breaks, and the recognition that art can be a practice of both letting go and play.

Artist website: Aliina Lahti

In this creative week-long camp, youngsters ages 8 to 15 get to explore the history, structure and importance of ancient Greek theater — and then produce a play of their own! We will create costumes, develop characters, build a set, and collaborate on a script in the style of the ancients. Camp culminates in a performance and celebration of what we built together.

Note: While Greek mythological themes may come up, our focus in this camp is on using the structure of ancient Greek theater to tell a unique story.

SUPPLY INFORMATION

All required art supplies are provided.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Lorelei Amato has been a teaching artist for more than 20 years, working with all ages an almost all materials and techniques. She specializes in creating arts-integrated history, social studies and personal growth curriculum. Helping people unlock creativity and discover the power in their hands to feed their minds and spirits is what gets her out of bed in the morning.

Artist website: Lorelei Amato

Wearable Art is beyond fashion — it is sculpture on the body. This camp encourages creativity and imagination. First a drawing, and then using the wide variety of materials and techniques to make it a reality! Expert teaching artists Margie and Michele will cover vision, design and construction and performance.Wearable art campers also learn skills that consider movement and safety. Using a sewing awl on cardboard, hot glue, staplers and duct tape, we will make a sturdy construction that students can use again and again. We will talk about presentation, movement, and how to incorporate surprise elements. A variety of materials like paper, fabric, wire, streamers, foil, plastic, vinyl, sticks, string, ribbons, foam, vegetable net bags, plastic odds and ends, paper mache and more will be available in the classroom, while students are welcome to bring additional materials.

Campers can use the sewing machine if they’re interested, and they will have a chance to finish their pieces using acrylic paint techniques and other enhancements. These five days are an adventure of imagination and construction — no previous art experience necessary.

The week will finish up with a wearable art show.

SUPPLY INFORMATION

All required art supplies are provided.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS

Fiber artist Margie McDonald is a founder of Port Townsend Wearable Art Show and has shown her work at WOW New Zealand, the biggest wearable show in the world. Margie is a sculptor and wearable art artist and teacher, she is a costume and set designer at Key City Public Theater. Port Townsend, New Zealand and Hollywood have seen Margie's wearable art creations on the runway. She has taught wearable art construction from her native Newfoundland to most teaching venues in Port Townsend.

Artist website: Margie McDonald, @margiem_art

The horse pasture was Michele Soderstrom's grand studio as a child. Self taught, for hours she sat sketching her horse as it grazed. Michele has a BA in Visual Arts Teaching, minor in Studio Art, through Central Washington University, and is an award-winning artist with her equine art. She has taught creativity through art since 2008. Today she paints and sells work professionally. Michele enjoys watching the process of her high school students as they gain art-making skills and find their place within personal creativity.

Artist website: Michele Soderstrom, @horsepainter9

Explore the beautiful world of the sea through beach adventures and art at Fort Worden. Spend the first half of the day at the beach with the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, and then head to Northwind Art for crafts, story, and outdoor games with local youth arts educator Myco from Wild Child Arts Education. We will make projects such as finger crochet octopi, needle felted orcas, and sewn starfishes. Every day there will be crafts, stories, and games to play as we learn more about the ocean and all its delightful creatures!

SUPPLY INFORMATION

All required art supplies are provided.

ABOUT PTMSC

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center works towards its mission of inspiring conservation of the Salish Sea during summer camps with activities that engage participants in imagination and inquiry. From building animal sculptures out of sand on the beach to surveying for signs of invasive European green crabs, campers create art and make scientific connections with Carolyn, who often uses art as a science communication tool as part of her work as PTMSC’s Education Manager.

Website: Port Townsend Marine Science Center, @ptmarinescictr

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Fiber artist Myco Robinson has studied weaving with plants, animal fibers, felting, and spinning. They have over 25 years of experience working with children, teaching art in public and private schools and running kids camps as Wild Child Arts. They have been teaching community art classes to adults and families for 15 years.

Artist website: Myco Robinson, @feralfinearts, @feralrefined, @feralfelt, @wildchildartseducation