The Museum of East Texas (MET) is set to host its annual Art Camp from June 1 to July 31, 2024. The camp offers a range of creative programs for children, with classes running Monday through Friday, excluding the week of Independence Day. Directors Kat Holcomb and Heather Hatton have overseen the camp for the past three years, introducing both familiar and new offerings each summer.
This year, the Art Camp will feature innovative classes, including cyanotypes, a technique for creating images without a camera, and screen printing. The program caters to children aged 2 to 4 years during the weeks of June 8 and July 6. These “Wee Art” classes, designed for preschoolers accompanied by their parents, will take place for one hour across five weekday mornings.
For older students in kindergarten through eighth grade, the regular Art Camp offers three-hour sessions in both the morning and afternoon. Classes are organized by grade level: K, 1-2, 3-5, and 6-8. “Some mornings we offer up to six classes at a time,” Holcomb explained. The museum utilizes its classroom space and divides the main gallery into separate areas to accommodate various activities.
One particularly engaging class this year will allow students to create art inspired by famous movies. Additionally, some classes, such as the “Art in Nature” sessions, will be held outdoors in the museum’s courtyard. “Last year, one of those classes actually made paint brushes using pine needles,” Holcomb noted, highlighting the camp’s commitment to hands-on, nature-based learning experiences.
Art Camp fees are set at $75 per week for students entering kindergarten through eighth grade and $40 for the “Wee Art” classes for 2-4-year-olds. A lunch session is available for $60 per week. The MET also provides scholarships for up to two classes per child to ensure accessibility for all families.
Registration for MET members opens on March 18, 2024, followed by public registration on March 25, 2024. Families who register by April 30 will receive a complimentary T-shirt. Interested parties can contact the museum at (639) 4434 for more information, and snacks will be provided during the camp sessions.
The Museum of East Texas continues to foster creative expression among young artists, making this summer’s Art Camp a highly anticipated event for families in the region.
