July 19 - 24, 2009

Grades 8 - 12, grade completion. This camp is full for 2009.

Challenge yourself in a variety of art media!

Serious high school artists are invited to participate in exciting, diverse, and creative art experiences at the Visual Arts Camp. Working with faculty, students, and alumni from the NIU School of Art, campers are encouraged to be innovative as they experiment with new materials, techniques, and ideas while producing portfolio-quality work in a university environment.

Group art activities, performance art presentations, and recreational activities complete the schedule for this fun-filled and diverse week. Presentations by nationally known artists, art historians, and talented studio artists enrich and enhance the hands-on studio experiences. The week concludes with a gala art show in the Olson Gallery for families and friends.

   The Visual Arts Camp thanks Prismacolor for donating some of the art supplies used by 2008 campers. We look forward to Prismacolor's continued support of the camp and to a seminar on tips and techniques for using Prismacolor products at the 2009 camp by Diana Garrett, consumer specialist for Sanford Corporation.

For more information about fees, need scholarships, discounts, housing, meals, refunds, etc., see the general information section. Click here for a registration form to print, complete, and mail or fax.

Studio Sessions

Studio work forms the core of the Visual Arts Camp and campers will be fully engaged in two intensive studio classes that meet each day for the week. On the registration form, campers make a first and second choice of classes from each studio session and are assigned to one class for each session. There is limited space in each class. Classes with insufficient enrollment may be cancelled.

Morning Studio Sessions

• Drawing - Geoffrey Smith
  An introduction to college-level drawing concepts and techniques with an emphasis on portraiture and landscape.
• Life Drawing - Cam MacEachran
  The study of the human figure from direct observation.
• Sculpture - Dan Lobraco
  Creating sculptures using three-dimensional materials (both additive and subtractive methods) to convey meaning.
• Printmaking - Curtis Readel
  Introduction to the medium of fine art printmaking and its history. Campers learn the basic techniques of creating a printing block or plate and the process of transferring the printed image onto paper. Campers are also shown examples of the vast array of printmaking techniques.
• Acrylic Painting I -  Frank Matas
  Work with acrylic painting techniques to build dynamic and dramatic imagery. 
• Design - Teacher TBA
  The exploration of two-dimensional design and the graphic designer's use of typography to create visual impact as well as the successful communication of concept.

Afternoon Studio Sessions

• Acrylic Painting II - Lisa Dure
  Work with acrylic painting techniques to create large-scale paintings inspired by a variety of subjects.
• Pastel Drawing - Gail Zernia 
  Introduction to a variety of pastel drawing media in the creation of abstract and realistic drawings.
• Mixed Media Collage - Lisa Doll 
  Experimental mixing of media in a collage form to combine found object material with traditional painting and drawing techniques.  
• Drawing In Color - Elizabeth Woodyatt
  Work with color using colored pencil and/or oil pastel to create dynamic drawings that emphasize contrast and depth.
• Experimental Drawing - Teacher TBA
  Experiment with untraditional drawing materials to create sophisticated, expressive works that explore mark making and visual texture while creating visual meaning and impact.
• Illustration - Teacher TBA
  Working with a variety of media and techniques to create realistically rendered illustrations. The exploration of ideas and the appropriate choice of media with which to communicate those idea.
  

Multi-Arts Night

Visual Art campers get together with campers from the jazz and theatre camps for a memorable evening of exploring and experiencing the other arts.

Enrichment Sessions

Guest speakers present visual overviews of their life and works as they share their career paths in visual arts.

Evening Art Activities

Students participate in evening art-making activities, often experimenting with new materials while interacting and socializing with other young artists from a variety of backgrounds. Activities may include portfolio embellishment, henna tattoos/design, campus art scavenger hunt, group sculpture building, and performance art. Campers have the opportunity to devote extra time to art projects during open studio sessions scheduled every evening.

About the Camp Staff

Learn more about camp director Lynn Stockton and her staff.

Check-In and
Closing Ceremony/Art Show

Check-in is on Sunday at the residence hall between 2:00 - 3:15 p.m. The closing ceremony and art show are on Friday and begin at 5:15 p.m. in the Art Building (Jack Arends Hall). Parents and campers will go to the residence hall after the art show to pick up campers' belongings.

Note: All times are subject to change. Please check the camper letter that you will receive about one month before the start of camp to confirm the information.