Darlington Art Center

2012 Weekly Themes

Cultural Summer Arts Camp

For days, times & prices, please see the “Summer Arts Camp” page.

Each day the campers experience music, visual arts, dance and drama through projects related to that week’s theme.  All instructors are professionals in their arts specialty.
Please review Darlington’s 2011-2012 policies (found here) before registering for camp.

June 18-22:    Chinese Spring Festival
The Chinese Spring Festival (also known as the Chinese New Year) is the most important  festival and holiday in China. Campers will join the celebration by learning traditional songs about luck and prosperity, designing beautiful props to use in the famous dragon and lion dances, exploring nuo drama, and more! Campers will end their week with a beautiful Lantern Festival.
   ages 3-5 (preschool)   3 days a week: M/W/F;   2 days a week: T/Th;   5 days a week: M-F
  ages 5-7 (full day)

June 18-22:    Visual Art Intensive Camp
Unleash your creativity during a weeklong exploration of the Visual Arts! Try different styles and media such as paint, graphite, clay, pastels and mixed media, while learning about artists and art movements. Students will discover their own strengths and develop technique while creating one-of-a-kind works of art.
   Projects will differ from the June 25-29, July and August Visual Art Intensive Camps.
  ages 8-13 (full day)
  * this camp is only visual arts

June 25-29:    Carnaval
Rio de Janiero is home to the largest and most popular carnival on earth! Students will re-create the stunning celebration with dazzling costumes and props for a spectacular parade. Campers will play percussion instruments and whistles, creating fun rhythms for Brazil’s famous samba dancing.
   ages 3-5 (preschool)   3 days a week: M/W/F;   2 days a week: T/Th;   5 days a week: M-F
  ages 5-7 (full day)

June 25-29:    Visual Art Intensive Camp
Unleash your creativity during a weeklong exploration of the Visual Arts! Try different styles and media such as paint, graphite, clay, pastels and mixed media, while learning about artists and art movements. Students will discover their own strengths and develop technique while creating one-of-a-kind works of art.
   Projects will differ from the June 18-22, July and August Visual Art Intensive Camps.
  ages 8-13 (full day)
  * this camp is only visual arts

July 2 – 3:    Cherry Blossom Festival
For centuries, the Japanese have celebrated the beautiful cherry blossoms, or sakura, that bloom each spring. Take part in this exploration of beauty, creating painted depictions of the flowers and acting out Japanese tales and legends about the famous blossoms. Campers will also dance to traditional Japanese music, as well as contemporary J-Pop and learn traditional songs.
   ages 3-5 (preschool)   2 days a week: M/T
  ages 5-7 (full day, M/T)
  ages 8-12 (full day, M/T)
  * shortened session due to Independence Day

July 5 – 6:    White Nights Festival
“Travel” to St. Petersburg for Russia’s largest arts festival which takes place every summer when the sun stays up for a full 24 hours! Campers will join in Russian music, dance and drama as performed each year at the Mariinsky Theatre, and create artwork based on the event’s stunning fireworks during the festival’s ending Scarlet Sails celebration!
   ages 3-5 (preschool)   2 days a week: Th/F
  ages 5-7 (full day, Th/F)
  ages 8-12 (full day, Th/F)
  * shortened session due to Independence Day

July 9 – 13:    Red Earth Native American Festival
Native Americans assemble each year in Oklahoma to share and exhibit the arts of their diverse tribal heritages. Share in their traditions by learning to make beautiful woven and beaded objects like those found at the art market and moving to the dances of several tribes. Play percussion instruments and act out Native American legends during this festive event!
   ages 3-5 (preschool)   3 days a week: M/W/F;   2 days a week: T/Th;   5 days a week: M-F
   ages 5-7 (full day)
  ages 8-12 (full day)

July 16 – 20:    Bali Arts Festival
Each summer, all of the people of Bali come together to showcase the island’s rich artistic heritage in a major arts festival. Take part this year by learning some of Bali’s classical dances, exploring ancient Balinese stories through acting and dance, creating popular Indonesian handcrafts and playing the island’s gamelan music.
  ages 3-5 (preschool)   3 days a week: M/W/F;   2 days a week: T/Th;   5 days a week: M-F
  ages 5-7 (full day)
  ages 8-12 (full day)

July 23 – 27:    Fiesta del Fuego
Hop down to Cuba and take part in Santiago’s Fiesta del Fuego (Festival of Fire), a festival celebrating the arts of Cuba and other Caribbean islands. Learn about Cuban music and dance and their Spanish and African influences, learn how to dance the Habanera, act out popular Cuban tales and more!
   ages 3-5 (preschool)   3 days a week: M/W/F;   2 days a week: T/Th;   5 days a week: M-F
  ages 5-7 (full day)

July 23 – 27:    Visual Art Intensive Camp
Unleash your creativity during a weeklong exploration of the Visual Arts! Try different styles and media such as paint, graphite, clay, pastels and mixed media, while learning about artists and art movements. Students will discover their own strengths and develop technique while creating one-of-a-kind works of art.
   Projects will differ from the June and August Art Intensive Camps.
  ages 8-13 (full day)
  * this camp is only visual arts

July 30 – August 3:    Aloha Festival
Hawaii’s Aloha Festival showcases the islands’ unique artforms and traditions each fall. Take part by singing mele chants and songs, practice your hula dance, act out stories about the mythical menehune people of the island and create bright and beautiful artwork inspired by Hawaii’s colorful environment!
   ages 3-5 (preschool)   3 days a week: M/W/F;   2 days a week: T/Th;   5 days a week: M-F
  ages 5-7 (full day)
  ages 8-12 (full day)

August 6 – 10:    Festival of the Sahara
Each year the countries of northwest Africa come together to celebrate their various Arab and indigenous cultures. Join us in the desert to move to Moroccan dances, sing traditional Tunisian songs and act out dramatics poems – still the desert’s primary form of communication! Try your hand at weaving Berber rugs and learn about symbolic African abstract designs.
   ages 3-5 (preschool)   3 days a week: M/W/F;   2 days a week: T/Th;   5 days a week: M-F
  ages 5-7 (full day)
  ages 8-12 (full day)

August 13 – 17:    Festival of Lights
India’s year-end diwali celebration, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a joyous occasion of singing and dancing. Share in the festivities by taking part in traditional and folk Indian music and dances such as bhangra, and form small clay oil lamps like those used to light up the cities during diwali.
   ages 3-5 (preschool)   3 days a week: M/W/F;   2 days a week: T/Th;   5 days a week: M-F
  ages 5-7 (full day)
  ages 8-12 (full day)

August 20 – 24:    Visual Art Intensive Camp
Unleash your creativity during a weeklong exploration of the Visual Arts! Try different styles and media such as paint, graphite, clay, pastels and mixed media, while learning about artists and art movements. Students will discover their own strengths and develop technique while creating one-of-a-kind works of art.
   Projects will differ from the June and July Art Intensive Camps.
  ages 5-8 (full day)
  ages 9-13 (full day)
  * this camp is only visual arts

August 20 – 24:    Paper Bag Princess:  Stories for Strong Girls Theater Camp
Tired of the same old princess tales? Through drama, music, creative storytelling and movement present the stories of brave young women from a variety of cultures. Girls will also exercise their creativity through costuming and set design. The week will culminate with a performance for friends and family.
   ages 9-14 (full day)
  * this camp is all about the stage