Arts Center Announces Summer Classes and Camp Registration Now Underway

The Randolph County Community Arts Center announces that registration is now underway for its summer camps and classes. From Take Flight Summer Camp to Farmer’s Market Gourmet there are lots of opportunities for fun things to explore this summer. Summer camps begin the week of June 15 with most classes beginning July 6.

The RCCAC is offering four summer camps beginning June 15. “Take Flight! I” Nature Camp will take place June 15-19 from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. This weeklong camp for 3rd-5th graders will combine exploring the incredible world of birds and flying with some creative art projects. Students will travel from the Jurassic Age when the first birds took flight to following migrating birds online! This is a hands-on camp with outdoor activities and related art projects creating fossils, birdhouses and feeders. Students will learn how to identify urban birds as part of a national Celebrate Urban Birds initiative as well as printmaking and nature drawing. The cost is $125, includes supplies and snack.

“Take Flight II” for middle school age students will be July 6-10 from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. This week-long camp for middle school students takes a close look at the world of birds as well as the physics of flying The week will include cool activities and workshops led by area naturalists and biologists. Students will learn how to identify urban birds as part of a national Celebrate Urban Birds initiative as well as printmaking and nature drawing. The cost is $125, includes supplies and snack. Teachers for both of these classes are Nanci Bross-Fregonara and Kevin "Woody" Woodcock.

Bross-Fregonara is the Marketing and Communications Manager at the Randolph County Community Arts Center. Previously she worked with the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources as the designer, a writer, and assistant editor of their West Virginia Wildlife magazine.

Woodcock is a freelance artist and commercial silkscreen printer and sign maker at The Art Medium Company. He received his art degrees from WVU and Louisiana State University. He has taught with Arts Bank and lead workshops at various schools.

For kindergarten through 5^th grade students, the RCCAC offers two camps. “Summer Survey of Art” with Kylie Proudfoot Payne is set for July 13 - 17 from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Young artists will have fun gathering information pertaining to various art techniques through the creation of a portfolio. From learning to draw what they see, folding and dyeing fabric, binding a sketchbook, to compiling a series of prints, artists will explore the basics of different art medias and techniques while utilizing the elements and principles of art. This class is great for those who love art and want to learn more. The cost for this camp is $125.

Proudfoot-Payne graduated from Davis and Elkins College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology / Human Services and Art Education. Kylie is a practicing artist who specializes in depicting color in nature through art.

The second camp for kindergarten-5^th grade students is “Leaping Lizards! A Reptile and Amphibian Art Adventure” August 3-7 from 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. The cost is $150, which includes supplies and snack. Students will paint, print and model their way through the reptile kingdom without actually having to touch one! Heidi Thompson and Virginia Hicks team up to offer an exciting art adventure where students will create a variety of artworks including the images of frogs, lizards, dragons, crocodiles, and turtles. Students will use printmaking, multi-media collage, cardboard relief, and pottery for their creations. Nature walks, snacks, and various art activities will be an added bonus to an already fun-filled week.

Heidi Thompson is an accomplished artist and teacher with a working studio in Buckhannon. She is a regular RCCAC teacher as well as an ArtsBank artist in the Randolph County Schools. Thompson is a certified teacher with a degree in art education from WVU. Virginia Hicks is a full-time art teacher with Upshur County Schools. Prior to this Hicks was an instructor with the Arts Bank program for seven years and has taught at RCCAC for several years.

The Arts Center has many class offerings for students from age one on up beginning July 6. For the youngest of students, aged 1-2 years old, Alison Siewny will be offering “Wee Play With Clay!” on Mondays from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. From mixing their own clay, to pressing their hand/footprints in clay to squeezing and sculpting with clay, toddlers are sure to have a super sensory experience in this class! Introduce your child to the wonderful world of clay as you create colorful keepsakes and make unforgettable memories with your toddler. Cost is $60.

Siewny will also be offering “Pre-K Clay!” for 3-5 year olds on Mondays 11 a.m. - 12 noon. Preschoolers will create keepsake clay treasures using a variety of clay techniques including making their own clay! Preschoolers will also experience painting their creations with glazes and acrylic or tempera paints. Project times will be appropriate for age level and be presented through a variety of ways to keep little wandering eyes and bodies involved! Parents are not required to attend class with their preschooler, but are welcome to join in for a fun experience with their child. Cost is $60.

Siewny is has been teaching art to children in preschool through middle school in private, public and art center settings for over 12 years and is currently the art teacher at Tygart Valley Middle and High School.

Kindergarten through fifth grade students can take a “Hand Building Basics for Children” pottery class Tuesday afternoons from 4-5 p.m. with Susan Pell. Children will form slabs, coils, and pinch pots into fabulous creations of their choice in an open studio, self-directed setting. Basic hand building skills will be introduced and developed. Previously enrolled students will continue to develop and improve basic hand building skills. Cost for the class is $65.

Pell has been creating pottery for more than 20 years and spent seven years as an elementary and secondary teacher. She has taught pottery in the RCCAC ceramics studio since 2004.

Siewny will also be teaching a pottery class for 4th-8th graders, “All Fired Up About Clay!” Mondays from 4 - 5 p.m. Students will learn what happens to clay as it evolves from wet clay, to leather hard clay, to green-ware clay, to bisque fired clay and finally to glaze fired clay as they create a variety of fun clay projects. Students will also get a “behind the scenes” experience as they see what is used in the kiln to fire clay pieces and will create slab “hang-outs,” pressed and carved bowls and clay cameras. Students will also learn clay techniques such slab, coil, “adding and carving,” and “score and slip.” The cost is $60.

Beth King will be teaching “Central American Art” Wednesdays from 4 - 5:30 p.m. for kindergarten – 5th graders. Class meets July 8, 15, 22, August 5 and 12. This class will explore many Central American cultures and art forms. Students will use a variety of media to create masks, baskets, pots, paintings, jewelry and other traditional Central American crafts. Stories, games and foods will deepen the student’s awareness of the diverse cultures of this area. Cost of the class is $60.

King is executive director of the Arts Center, holds degrees in from the University of Georgia in Journalism, Photography and Art Education and has 18 years of teaching experience in elementary and secondary schools.

For 4th-8th graders, Kevin “Woody” Woodcock will be offering “Adventures in Painting” beginning Thursdays from 4 - 5 p.m. Students will use a variety of media and non-traditional painting methods to create their paintings. Woodcock will lead students on an exploration of color theory, composition fundamentals and different painting techniques and investigate several famous artists who worked in similar styles. The beauty of this style of painting is that students do not need to know how to draw to create beautiful paintings. This class begins July 16 and the cost is $60.

Woodcock will also be offering “Methods of Painting” for older teens and adults on Thursdays from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Students will use a variety of media and non-traditional painting methods to create their paintings. By moving shapes and strips made from a variety of media around the paper and using multiple colors and techniques to create a landscape feel, students will learn to manipulate their images. As the design emerges on their paper, they will build up layers of paint to create their unique images. The beauty of this style of painting is that students do not need to know how to draw to create beautiful paintings but will learn the freedom of just jumping in and painting without having a complete idea in mind and letting the painting help create itself. This class begins on July 16 and costs $60.

Guitar lessons will again be offered during the summer by local musician Billy Kaiser. “Beginning Guitar” classes will be Mondays from 5:30 – 7 p.m. for ages 4th grade–adult. This introductory level class will provide the beginning level guitar student with the opportunity to learn major scales, chords, music theory /reading, and ear training in a small group setting. By the end of the six-week session, students will have a few tunes in their repertoire. Cost of the class is $60. Students must provide their own guitar.

The “Intermediate Guitar” class will be Mondays from 7 - 8:30 p.m. for 4th grade-adult. This intermediate level class will provide the more experienced guitar student with the opportunity to play with other guitarists in a group setting. Basic skills of major scales, chords, music theory / reading, and ear training will be refined and new skills will be introduced and developed. Cost of the class is $60. Students must provide their own guitar.

“Life Drawing” is offered Thursdays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. for all artists. Tuition covers fees for the model Intermediate to advanced artists can participate in this open studio. This is a wonderful opportunity to draw from a clothed model. Supplies not included. Cost is $45.

Three cooking class opportunities for older teens and adults with Chef Derrick Helzer are offered this summer. A “Fourth of July Party Workshop” will be Saturday, June 27 from 12 - 4 p.m. for older teens and adults. Helzer will teach and demonstrate how to plan and prepare four special courses (appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert) for your 4th celebration. Students will participate in hands- on prep skills and partake of tasty treat samples to inspire them for the holiday week. The cost for this class is $40.

On Saturday, July 18th Helzer will offer an “Appetizer and Hors D’oeuvres Workshop” from 12 - 4 p.m. This afternoon workshop designed to help students learn the perfect garnishments and presentation for finger foods, appetizers and hors d’oeuvres. Students will learn and practice a variety of garnishment and presentation techniques to make their next party a perfect success. The cost for this class is $40.

During August Helzer will celebrate fresh food with “Farmer’s Market Gourmet!” a four-week class beginning Saturday, August 1 from 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon Join Helzer for a Saturday morning foray into the Elkins Farmers Market before the class, then using fresh garden delights and artisan breads and cheese, students will turn their finds into creative delicious dishes. Students are welcome to supplement their purchases with their own home grown produce. The cost for this class is $60.

Pre-registration is required for all classes and payment is due upon registration in order to reserve a spot. Credit or debit card payments over the phone are accepted. For additional information on classes call 637-2355, email info@randolpharts.org, or visit the RCCAC website at www.randolpharts.org.

The Randolph County Community Arts Center, a non-profit organization promoting and supporting the arts in Randolph County and the surrounding areas, is located at the corner of Randolph Avenue and Park Street in Elkins. Local contributors including Parrack Insurance support RCCAC’s arts education program with additional financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

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