Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) announces its first Digital Summer Art Camp as part of the organization’s virtual programming strategy. Designed for children aged 5-10, the program offers a digital experience centered around a variety of art-making techniques while encouraging children to expand their artistic vocabulary and creativity through hands-on art activities. The digital program will replace the previously scheduled in-person camp, historically organized in partnership with Reston Association, for the 2020 summer season.
GRACE Digital Summer Art Camp will mirror much of what is offered in its in-person program including original camp themes running for six weeks between June 29–August 7, 2020. A new addition to the digital camp model is a weekly collection of short, pre-recorded video lessons with activities demonstrated by a professional arts educator. The videos are each 15 minutes or less in length to aid in keeping children’s screen time at a minimum, and will be accompanied with easy-to-follow written instructions. All activity videos and instructions will be made accessible online through a private link provided upon registration.
The digital art camp package also includes a camp-in-a-box kit that will contain most of the special materials necessary for the activities. A list of additional required basic items not included in the kit, such as scissors and markers, will be available on the organization’s website prior to the start of camp. The camp kits will be prepared with materials ordered online. Both the shipment boxes from the online purchases and camp kits will be handled by a PPE-wearing GRACE staff member (masks, gloves, etc.). Camp kits will be available for contact-less, no-touch pickup each Saturday between 12pm–2pm at GRACE by appointment only.
Designed with the busy parent and caretaker in mind, camp kits come with a suggested daily schedule to help keep campers engaged throughout the day. For those who want more fluidity in the schedule, GRACE will continue to offer the pre-recorded video lessons and instructions for 30 days after camp has begun, so that campers can revisit activities they enjoyed or might have missed during the week.
Registration will open on Monday, June 1st and will close one week before the start of each camp.
Cost is $220 per box. For more information and to register, please visit restonarts.org/education/camp/.
SESSIONS
My Mom Would Never Let Me Do That!
June 29–July 3 (Ages 5–7)
July 6–July 10 (Ages 8–10)
Explore the possibilities of art with our most popular camp, adapted for our new digital camp model. Using a variety of materials, this session combines scientific exploration and the creative process to create the messiest and silliest of art projects.
FUN-TASTIC Forts!
July 13–17 (Ages 6–10)
In this camp, kids investigate all things 3-D! From blankets to boxes, we cover the basics of building the best forts ever! Campers will spend their days creating new spaces to explore and will walk away with a basic understanding of engineering, and a personalized fort of their own!
Fibers & Friends!
July 20–July 24 (Ages 5–7)
July 27–July 31 (Ages 8–10)
Have you ever wondered how a spider builds its web, how a bird weaves a nest, how your friend made such an AWESOME key chain? Become a wonder-weaver as we explore all things fiber!
Art & Movement
August 3–August 7 (Ages 6–10)
Who says art-making has to be stationary? This camp session focuses on all the ways art can get you moving and features 2-D and 3-D projects, which will utilize movement and art-making in innovative ways.
For more information please visit restonarts.org/education/camp/
About Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE)
The Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) serves tens of thousands of people annually, providing Virginia, Maryland, and DC’s diverse communities with abundant opportunities to experience and explore contemporary art through exhibitions, education programming, and the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival. Greater Reston Arts Center strives to increase understanding of different cultures through art, brings diverse audiences together around a common interest, and ensures access and opportunity for engagement in the arts to all residents, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or income. Admission to the GRACE gallery is always FREE, as are most programs.
GRACE gratefully acknowledges the leadership of its Board of Directors and the support of its sponsors, members, and patrons. GRACE is a Virginia Commission for the Arts “50 for 50 Arts Inspiration Award” winner in the category of Bedrock Institutions and is supported in part by ARTSFAIRFAX, Reston Community Center, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
