A peek inside summer art camps at Art’s A Blast

Does art make you smart?

Photos by Blue Ribbon News, courtesy of Art’s A Blast and their students.

(Rockwall) June 22, 2012 – This summer, Art’s A Blast in Rockwall is hosting more than 30 different camps for kids ages 4 to 18, led by instructors with art degrees or certifications, as well as education degrees.

Blue Ribbon News dropped by Art’s A Blast this week to get a first-hand look inside one of their summer camps – to see if art really does make you smart…

The focus and intensity with which these young children approach their art projects is amazing.

“We cover a lot of ground with our summer camps – not just painting,” Shay said. “We do 3D work including gauze and wire sculpture. We work with clay, charcoal, colored pencil and watercolors. The kids are having so much fun, they want to keep coming back.”

Art’s A Blast provides everything a young artist needs to create a masterpiece.

For those who have never been exposed to art or believe they “just aren’t good at it,” Shay explains that all they need is direction.

“It’s just like basketball or piano – or anything. You have to have instruction and practice,” Shay said. “Everybody thinks artists are born that way. There are a few, but most are not. When kids get into art and enjoy the experience, they gain confidence. It’s so much fun to watch those ‘I can do it’ lightbulbs go on.”

ScratchArtSelfPortrait_ — Ages 6 & older will enjoy the Scratch Art Self Portrait class from 9:30-11am Monday, June 25 through Thursday, June 28.

One way Shay engages her students is through techniques illustrated in the book, Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain, by Dr. Betty Edwards.

“I give kids an ink drawing and have them turn it upside down. I ask them to start drawing what they see, from the top (which is really the bottom). They totally forget they’re drawing a man sitting in a chair; they’re just looking at the relationship of one line to the other line, what direction it’s going, if it’s dark, if it’s light…all the sudden they turn it around and they’ve got a masterpiece.”

NEXT WEEK’S SUMMER CAMP OPTIONS

There’s still time to sign up!

Art’s A Blast summer camps are six hours each, Monday through Thursday, one and half hours per day throughout June, July and August.

During the week of Monday, June 25 through Thursday, June 28, budding artists ages 6 and up can take the “Scratch Art Self Portrait” Class from 9:30 to 11 a.m., the “Pop Art Your Pet” class from noon to 1:30 p.m., or the “Cartooning” class from 2:30 to 4.p.m.