TUSCUMBIA-Shoals residents of all ages can get hands-on art and theatre experience this summer! The Tennessee Valley School of Arts—a project of the Tennessee Valley Art Association—is hosting a variety of camps and workshops for kids, teens, and adults. Registration for all classes is available at tennesseevalleyarts.org/school.
There are three different camp opportunities for kids and teens in June and July. First, the Ritz Theatre Camp, which is for grades 3-6, will be offered twice this summer on June 12-16 and June 19-23 at the Ritz Theatre. The instructor for this year’s camp is local director and educator Jaleesa Escott. Students will spend the week learning and developing a show using the theme “Fairy Tales Gone Wrong.”
Two different visual art camps will be held during the week of July 10-14. Junior Art Camp, for grades 3-6, will allow students to try out a variety of art styles and mediums throughout the week. Students will
work with several instructors—including Provie Musso and Cynthia Infanger—at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art. Advanced Art Camp, for grades 7-12, will also be held that week at the Ritz Studio, next door to the Ritz Theatre. Acclaimed portrait artist Martha Carpenter will help students explore advanced drawing methods, providing one-on-one instruction and feedback.
“Summer Art Camps are such a great way to get your kids moving in creative ways!” says Christi Britten, executive director of the Tennessee Valley Art Association.
“This year we have some new interdisciplinary projects for Junior Art Camp, from cyanotypes to assemblage. We’ve also opened another week-long session for theatre camp because of its popularity last year! These camps are a great introduction to visual and performing arts,” says Britten.
Adults will also have an opportunity to hone their artistic skills this summer. Portrait artist Martha Carpenter will be teaching two oil painting classes at her studio in Tuscumbia. From July 20-22, Carpenter will teach a Basic Oil Painting workshop, where students will learn still life painting techniques. Carpenter will also teach an Advanced Oil Portrait Painting workshop from August 3-5. Using a live model, students will work with Carpenter to complete an oil portrait. For both of these classes, students will bring their own supplies (supply lists are available on the registration web pages).
After these summer offerings, the Tennessee Valley School of Arts will continue in the fall with more classes for all ages, including acting and voice classes for high school students.
The Tennessee Valley School of Arts has been made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. To learn more about the Tennessee Valley School of Arts or to register for a course, visit tennesseevalleyarts.org/school or call 256-383-0533.
Summer Camps and Workshops
Ritz Theatre Camp – at the Ritz Theatre in Sheffield
3rd-6th grade June 12-16 OR June 19-23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Price: $175 ($150 for TVAA members at Family/Friend level or above) Instructor: Jaleesa Escott
Junior Art Camp – at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art in Tuscumbia
3rd-6th grade July 10-13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; July 14, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Price: $200 ($175 for TVAA members at Family/Friend level or above) Instructors: Provie Musso, Cynthia Infanger, Jonathan Cain, and Christi Britten
Advanced Art Camp – at the Ritz Studio in Sheffield, next door to the Ritz Theatre
7th-12th grade July 10-14, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Price: $150 ($125 for TVAA members at Family/Friend level or above) Instructor: Martha Carpenter
Basic Oil Painting – at Martha Carpenter’s Studio in Tuscumbia
Adults July 20-22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Price: $375 ($365 for TVAA members at the Scholar’s Circle level or above) Instructor: Martha Carpenter
Advanced Oil Portrait Painting – at Martha Carpenter’s Studio in Tuscumbia
Adults August 3-5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Price: $425 ($415 for TVAA members at the Scholar’s Circle level or above) Instructor: Martha Carpenter
