2025 SUMMER ART CAMPS!

ABOUT 2025 SUMMER ART CAMPS

Each week is different and offers high-quality opportunities for youth to learn about Art and Art History in a nurturing environment at the Salem Art Association (SAA). All camps take place at the Bush Barn Art Center & Annex in Salem’s Bush’s Pasture Park.

All weeks and themes explore the larger relationship between art & nature, and include a diverse mix of artistic materials and processes.  This year, each weekly art theme is based on Environments of Oregon.

At SAA, our Art Camps prioritize learning a variety of art processes and materials to build self-confidence, develop practical skills, practice problem-solving, and to have fun. We find that every student is unique and that usually students become most enthusiastic about art-making after they discover at least one process that really resonates with them.

ABOUT SESSIONS

• Monday 6/23 – Friday 6/27 ~ Weekly art theme: Pacific Ocean
• Monday 7/7 – Friday 7/11 ~ Weekly art theme: Oregon Coast
• Monday 7/21 – Friday 7/25 ~ Weekly art theme: Oregon Wetlands
• Monday 7/28 – Friday 8/1 ~ Weekly art theme: Pacific NW Forests
• Monday 8/11 – Friday 8/15 ~ Weekly art theme: Cascade Mountains
• Monday 8/18 – Friday 8/22 ~ Weekly art theme: Oregon Desert

Each session of Summer Art Camp will have a theme and key words to help guide our creativity and give inspiration for at least 3-5 art projects per week. Specific art activities are scheduled close to the starting date of each camp and might include some of the following: drawing, painting, sculpting, collage, printmaking, photography, poetry, comics, and more.

Each week has two sessions: the morning session is for youth 8-10* years old and will last from 9 a.m. to noon. Afternoon sessions are for youth 11-13* years old and run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

*Age groups: if you have questions whether a student might fit into one group or the other, or have a student just outside these age groups, feel free to inquire with our Education Director, Benjamin Mefford: benjamin@salemart.org

TEACHING APPROACH 

SAA embraces a process-based approach, which is to say that while we will still have some clear goals and guidelines on individual projects, we put our highest emphasis on the inherent value of working through the artistic process to develop creative problem-solving skills.

3SAA is an educational powerhouse with 3 rotating exhibition spaces for professional artists, knowledgeable staff, a dynamically curated historic house, all surrounded by a beautiful park with large oak trees and a heritage rose garden. We recognize that our young artists have a diversity of interests, backgrounds, and levels of experience with art, and pride ourselves on staying adaptable to facilitate individual growth. Our summer art camps are approachable and balance practical skill-building with pure creativity. We want our students to finish each week feeling empowered by the magic of art!

REGISTRATION PROCESS – Important Information!

Parents, please register for one child at a time. You can select more than one camp during the registration process. Just select the “ticket” for the appropriate camp(s) your child wants to attend. You will be asked to fill out information for your child, including allergy and medication information so it’s important to register one child at a time. Once you check out and pay for your camps, you can start the process over for another child.

REFUNDS

We encourage you to register early, as most sessions do fill to capacity.  However, we know that sometimes plans change as summer approaches.  Due to practical constraints, we are unable to offer full refunds.  We will be able to offer partial refunds per the schedule below.  In some cases we may be able to accommodate a need to switch registration from one week to another (determined on a case-by-case basis and subject to session availability).  Thank you for your understanding.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Partial scholarships are available for those who are in need of financial assistance. For questions about scholarships or any other Summer Art Camp questions, please send a note to our Education Director, Benjamin Mefford: benjamin@salemart.org.

WHAT CAN CAMPERS EXPECT?

Each week will be different!  Specific teachers and projects will vary, but some of the projects we’ve had in the past include: painting, photography, stone sculpture, recycled materials sculpture, drawing, and printmaking.

• Each week will be different!  Specific teachers and projects will vary, but some of the projects we’ve had in the past include: painting, photography, stone sculpture, recycled materials sculpture, drawing, and printmaking.
• Every day will have hands-on engaging art projects (some will be multi-day projects).
• Campers will learn new art projects in a flexible and supportive environment.
• Campers will learn some ways to use art as a tool for self-expression and self-understanding.
•  Projects will range from quick exercises to in-depth learning about a material or process.
• Most projects will be related to a larger theme for the week.
• Campers will get to see and talk about the art in SAA’s on-site Art Galleries.
• Campers will get the opportunity to see SAA’s on-site historic Bush House Museum and gardens.
• Each week will feature 2 or more Guest Teaching Artists for special projects.  We craft a schedule that will maximize the educational value for students.
• Movement and fresh air are important for making art!  Many activities will be inside the SAA buildings, but students will also have opportunities to take breaks outside every day.  There is a playground just outside of the classroom that is consistently popular with all ages of campers.
• Campers will get a chance to make new friends.

WE EXPECT CAMPERS TO:

• Be on time and participate every day.
• Bring a water bottle.  [Snacks will be provided by SAA.  We try to limit the most common allergens, but we cannot guarantee accommodation of food allergies/sensitivities, so if that is a concern your student may also want to bring a snack from home.]
• Treat other students and teachers with respect.
• Bring their creative problem solving skills!