Children ages 5 to 13 years old can find inspiration from the mythical folklore of dragons, ancient masks, sea monsters and more at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s two remaining weeklong Creative Arts Camps this month.
During the “Sea Monsters and Mythological Creatures” camp, Oklahoma artist Linda Dixon will guide children in creating sea monsters, dragons and other creatures inspired by the museum’s antique map exhibits. The camp will take place July 11-15.
“Mask Extravaganza” will teach children mask-making techniques and cultural traditions with mask-maker Patrick Riley, whose work the museum will exhibit this fall. The camp will take place July 18-22.
Located at 1900 W. MacArthur in Shawnee, the museum’s summer camps include two sessions per camp: one for children ages 5 to 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, and another for ages 9 to 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. Because the afternoon session of “Sea Monsters” is full, museum spokeswoman Donna Merkt said she is opening the morning session to several 9-year-olds. The “Masks” session is still accepting children, as of press time.
Camp registration is $50 for members and $60 for nonmembers. Teenagers ages 13 to 18 can register for Dixon’s intensive “All Things Paper” clinic and learn how to make handmade paper, sculptures, embossing and other techniques. The camp is from 1 to 4 p.m. today through Friday. Registration is $45 for members and $55 for nonmembers.
This year’s camps filled up faster than Merkt has seen before because children have returned each year, she said.
“It’s a good value, as far as summer camps go,” she said. “Kids do several projects, they’re always tied to pieces in our collection and our exhibits, and we have real artists working with them.” —Alex Ewald
