The past week at Earth Arts Summer Camp, our 'Around the World' theme took campers on a creative journey across the globe!
Mexican Talavera Guacamole Bowls
We kicked off the week with a vibrant project—Mexican Talavera guacamole bowls! The campers dove into Mexican folk art, painting unique patterns inspired by the rich tapestry of Mexican flora, fauna, and indigenous history. Each bowl was a colorful celebration of creativity, reflecting the distinct artistic style that makes Talavera pottery so special.
Papier-Mâché Hot Air Balloons
Our next adventure was a papier-mâché hot air balloon project that took an unexpected turn. After blowing up the balloons and wrapping them with strips of paper and glue, we encountered a strange phenomenon—every balloon kept popping! Our intrepid campers hypothesized that the changing weather, with its shifts in barometric pressure and static electricity from an impending storm, was to blame. After multiple attempts, we finally managed to coat all the balloons. But the challenges didn’t stop there. The heat from our kiln caused the balloons to expand overnight, tearing the delicate papier-mâché. Despite these hiccups, we persevered, and the campers created beautifully unique hot air balloons. Plus, we all got an interesting real-life science lesson out of it!
Sgraffito Incised Amphora Vases
Sticking with the trend of unpredictable crafts, our campers designed stunning sgraffito incised amphora vases. We explored the cultural significance of amphora vases in Ancient Greek society and used layered paint to create a striking sgraffito effect. When the campers carved their designs into the vases, a rainbow of colors shone through, making each piece an epic masterpiece.
Venetian Masquerade Masks
Our next project revisited the art of papier-mâché with Venetian masquerade masks. We journeyed through various cultures around the world, learning about celebrations involving masks and their deeper meanings. The campers crafted beautiful and unique masks, each one reflecting their creativity and the global traditions we explored together.
Koinobori (Carp Wind Socks)
We wrapped up the week with a tribute to our incredible campers. Inspired by Japan's Children’s Day, where children create Koinobori (Carp Wind Socks) as symbols of courage and strength, our campers made their own vibrant wind socks. Just like the carp swimming against the current, our campers displayed incredible individuality and diversity. We feel so lucky to have such a wonderful group of children in our camp, each one bringing their unique spirit to every project.
We had an amazing time exploring art from around the world and can't wait for next week’s adventures!