After getting some “real tools” from my studio, my Summer Campers put their hands to work making some incredible terra cotta planters on Monday… glazing them on Tuesday. I have a small group of kids this week, but they’re still kickin’ it out of the park!!!

Celebrating a little MUGSHOT MONDAY with this double-handled cutie made by one of my Summer Campers!!! Too cute.

After a wonderful week with a great group of Summer Campers… we had a brilliant Sculpture Gallery Show at the end of Friday for parents, siblings, friends & other summer campers. The kids were so proud of their sculptures… and I was SO PROUD of them! Such a great time showing off their hard work… their creative efforts… and speeding through flashcards & showing off their new art history knowledge!!!

To culminate the end of our Sculpture Camp, we set-up a fun “Sculpture Showcase” in our classroom… and invited the parents, siblings & other summer campers to come see the artwork on display. Each camper got their own display area for their sculpture & birdhouse… and they acted as docents to answer questions and discuss their process & inspirations. Such a great way to close-out a wonderful week with a GREAT bunch of campers!!!

Friday was a very busy day in my Sculpture Camp… everyone trying to finish up their sculptures & get ready for our Gallery Show. But also… the kids’ terra cotta birdhouses came out of the kiln too! I think they had kinda forgotten about them after working on their huge plaster sculptures… but once they saw the birdhouses, they were VERY EXCITED!!!

Friday morning we had some time for the Summer Camp kids to finish painting their sculptures. Some still had a lot to cover, while others were ready to start painting details, patterns & expressions bringing their pieces to life!

Over the course of the week, my Summer Campers also memorized over 50 famous artists & sculptors… first AND last names!!! Sure, we’ve all seen the bronze lions in front of the Art Institute… but who made them??? The Bean? The Statue of Liberty? My campers know them all!!!

So on Friday we did a big game of “Memory” using my famous artist flashcards… 130 cards to match-up with their new art history knowledge all in the guise of a fun game!!!

On Thursday, after a full day of plaster gauze detailing & acrylic painting, my Summer Campers knew immediately what was next… and Thank You kiddos!!!

After layers & details of plaster gauze, my Summer Campers were ready to start painting their sculptures. I love when their sculptures start “coming to life” in vivid colors & details… and their laser-focus is always so impressive!

After working with plaster gauze all day in Summer Camp, the floor had a lot of plaster & water drips all over… so here we go again… RULE #3 : “Whatever mess you make, you WILL be cleaning it up.” And they did without complaint. Grab a sponge & start scrubbing!!!