Youth will get creative in SFF summer camps

SFF Presents will host six summer creativity camps for middle and high school-aged students at Sisters Art Works, 204 W. Adams Ave., set to take place in July and August. The nonprofit has partnered with regional teaching artists to create these fun-filled sessions of art, music, theater, and self-expression. Registration opens on March 6 at 10 a.m. at https://www.sffpresents.org/summer-creativity-camps with pay-what-you can pricing starting at $25 to ensure that no child is prevented from participating due to financial barriers.

On July 8-12, the half-day Seed to Sprout Music Camp will take place for players with minimal music experience on their chosen acoustic instrument. Teaching artist Joe Schulte, mandolin player and bandleader from Moon Mountain Ramblers, Cascade School of Music, and String Theory Music School in Bend, will teach the course. Schulte will provide songs that can be played with the most basic common chords and short, easy-to-learn melodies to memorize. Students will have opportunities to try other instruments as well, offering players real-life experience and showing them what each different "noise machine" can offer. Enrollment is open to students in grades 5–8 and will run from 9 a.m. to noon daily. Maximum of 20 participants.

The Kaleidoscope Mixed Media Art Camp is another half-day camp where students will be encouraged to explore the creative process through multiple art mediums. The afternoon camp is scheduled for July 8-12. The week will include abstract art through the fun of paint pouring, color theory with portrait painting, and animal sculptures. Campers will learn layering techniques in paints, pens, and collages. Enrollment is open to students entering grades 5-8 and will run from 1 to 4 p.m. each day. Maximum of 14 participants.

Teaching artist and SMS science teacher Melissa Stolasz will lead a half-day Outlaw Middle School String Camp July 15-19. This camp is open to players who have some experience on fiddle or guitar and can play a few tunes. Instruction will include two music sessions each day providing specific musical expertise. Students will learn new techniques on the fiddle, work on their bowing game, and learn some great new tunes. The camp will close with a short concert open to families on July 19. Enrollment is open to students going into grades 6-9 and will run from 9 a.m. to noon daily. Maximum of 25 participants.

A theater production camp will begin on July 22 and run through July 26. Taught collaboratively by teaching artists Steven Livingston, Judy Fuentes, and Jayana Hinkle, this camp will focus on building skills to help develop a deeper understanding of the creative theatrical process. Student thespians will explore the theme of one of the oldest stories known to humankind: the unexpected hero and their quest to greatness. Though this trope is largely known, student thespians will work within a cast to study archetypes, musical storytelling, and stagecraft to create a unique retelling of this classic. The culmination of their work will be presented to family, friends, and community members on the final day of camp. Enrollment is open to students grades 5-9 and will run all day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Maximum of 30 students.

Another half-day camp focused on felt and fabric arts will take place August 5-9 with teaching artist and visual arts teacher Judy Fuentes. During the Fabric Arts Camp, students will work with unique materials to create wall hangings, landscapes, and creatures using wet felting and needle felting. Exploring a variety of techniques and applications, campers will develop their own personal style. Enrollment is open to students grades 5-9 and will run from 9 a.m. to noon each day in the upstairs JAM Studio at Sisters Art Works. Maximum of 14 participants.

From August 12 to 16, Joe Schulte will offer a full-day Branch to Fruit Music Camp for players who are comfortable on their instrument and relatively fluid in the common major and minor chords found in popular music. In addition to playing together as a large group, this camp will break out into some small group ensemble sessions in which two to four players will work out tunes that may include custom song arrangement, individual solos, harmonies, and improvisation. The camp will close with a concert open to families on August 16. Enrollment is open to students grades 6-9, and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Maximum of 20 participants.

The suggested tuition for each full-day camp is $275 and includes lunch and snacks each day. Half-day suggested tuition is $175 and includes snacks. The minimum full-day camp registration is $50, and the minimum half-day camp registration is $25. For more information, visit https://www.sffpresents.org/summer-creativity-camps.