SYCC’s summer art camp for kids set to draw on a host of creative mediums

BUCKHANNON – Summer just got a little more crafty, creative and artistic with Stockert Youth and Community Center’s summer art camp beginning next week.

Starting Monday June 10, SYCC will be hosting a summer art camp for children ages 6 to 13 years old of all skill levels. For five weeks, participants will work with instructor Crystal Brown as they create and delve into the many modes of art.

Brown, of ARTcab Studios, also teaches part-time in West Virginia Wesleyan College’s art department and is the director for WVWC Sleeth Gallery. With a BFA from Kendal College of Art and Design, Grand Rapids Michigan and an MFA from Ohio University School of Fine Art, Athens, Ohio, she has taught several forms of art to adults and children both in-state and out-of-state.

“I worked with a local artist in Kansas City on a range of different projects including the creation of ‘The Hown’s Den: A Nomadic + Domestic Exhibition Space,’ where I invited artists to install work in my family’s home and would hold artist receptions for exhibitions and other community events,” she said.

Brown created Artcab Studios as a platform for her to engage with the community about art and the classes she offers throughout and around West Virginia.

“These classes are currently at SYCC, but my vision is to host workshops and classes in other locations as well,” she said.

For the upcoming summer camp, each week will be focused on a particular art form, from mural painting to crocheting and block printing.

From 9-11 a.m. the week of June 10-14, camp will consist of a poster making workshop. The week will conclude with an exhibit and contest supported by the Buckhannon Parks and Recreation Department.

From noon until 2 p.m. the same week, participants will paint as a class a mural on the fence behind downtown Buckhannon’s iconic Dairy Queen.

During the week of July 8-12, campers will create art inspired by nature from 9-11 a.m.

Pattern-making will take place from 9-11 a.m. July 15-19, during which participants will learn the art of collage and block printing. From 9-11 a.m. the week of July 22-26, hand crafts will be the focus with teachings of crochet, knitting, weaving, hand sewing and water felting taking center stage.

Experimental art will be from 9-11 a.m. July 9 until August 2, when students will explore mixed media.

Out of all the art forms that will be touched on, Brown said she’s looking forward to the first week of camp the most.

“The mural painting workshop and poster-making classes will allow the students to have their work and creativity on display in the community via a mural behind the DQ on Main Street,” she said, “and five posters from the poster-making workshop will be selected to be displayed in five locations around Buckhannon as a part of an anti-litter campaign sponsored by a grant given to the Buckhannon Parks and Recreation Department.”

Not only are participants bound to have fun at art camp, Brown said participants can expect to learn new skills or build onto current talents.
“Art has been proven to have a positive effect on our emotional well-being as well as build up our dexterity and hand-eye coordination,” she said. “You don’t have to be good at art to have fun and benefit from the experience.”

Once camp concludes, Brown said she hope participants take away an interest in art and creating while also finding a sense of pride and confidence.

“Studies have shown that being exposed to art at a young age has a positive effect on your overall well-being and will likely plant the seed for valuing art in the future,” she said. “Most of all, I hope my students have fun while making art.”

Those interested can register at the front desk at SYCC. The registration fee is $35 per student for the whole week with a supply fee that varies from class to class. For more information, contact Brown at crystal.crystalann@gmail.com.

Featured

SHOPS & SERVICES

Really Really Free Market to return to Jawbone Park April 16

BUCKHANNON – The Consolidated Public Works Board approved event requests for the Really Really Free Market and Narcan Day. Heather Schneider and Missy Daugherty spoke during the March 23 CPWB to highlight the details of

Upshur Schools officials say instances of noncompliance found in WVDE review of special education services have been corrected

TENNERTON – The state Department of Education’s multi-part monitoring of Upshur County Schools’ Special Education services that unearthed some instances of noncompliance could soon be coming to an end. Upshur County Schools underwent an initial monitoring period in March 2022, […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Enjoy a taste of spring with Fish Hawk Acres this April

BUCKHANNON – Mark your calendar: Fish Hawk Acres will offer several exciting events this month. Experience the fun and fine dining of Fish Hawk Acres through their Wine Clubs, Cooking Classes and the Market Dinner

SHOPS & SERVICES

Tennis Lady Bucs drop outings to University and Philip Barbour

BUCKHANNON – The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc tennis team suffered a pair of setbacks on Monday and Tuesday to the University Hawks and the Philip Barbour Colts. The Lady Bucs dropped both outings by identical 7-0 scores. “I am proud of […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Tennis Bucs tumble to University, 7-0

BUCKHANNON– The young Buckhannon-Upshur tennis Buccaneers had the daunting task of meeting up with regional foe University again for the second time in a six-day span. The Bucs just were not able to keep up with the Hawks falling by […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

SHOPS & SERVICES

Ghana representatives visit Buckhannon ahead of WAMSB 2023

BUCKHANNON — With less than four months remaining until Buckhannon becomes a world stage, representatives with the National Cadet Corps, Ghana visited the area ahead of the World Association of Marching Show Bands (WAMSB) 2023