ARTSCAPE Camp is a proactive approach to helping these children meet challenges in their daily lives. During these camps, three weeks in Augusta and one week in Thomson, the children had the opportunity to discover the world of drama, dance, music and visual art. This was a unique opportunity for them and, in fact, may be their only opportunity to experience the arts on a large scale. Of the 37 elementary schools in Richmond County, only 5 have a visual art teacher on staff, and music classes are only provided 30 minutes per week. Private lessons in dance, drama, music, and visual art are not economically feasible for these families, so ARTSCAPE serves as the sole means for tapping into their creativity. The Greater Augusta Arts Council is dedicated to making a difference in these children’s lives. By protecting and working with a group of 698 for several weeks during the summer, the impact was apparent. The children were often asked to try new things and they responded admirably to the challenges presented to them.
This year we are holding ARTSCAPE camps at five different Boys and Girls Clubs Locations: Jamestown, Dogwood Terrace, Hagler, WT Johnson, and Thomson. The theme of this year’s ARTSCAPE camp is “The Antics of Art.”
The Antics of Art is a one week program consisting of roughly 5 contact hours in each of the artistic disciplines of Drama, Dance, Music, and Visual Art. This year's theme exposes children of all ages to some of the diverse elements of Asian art including Japanese scroll art or Kakemono, Lantern and Screen Art, Asian Lion and Dragon dances, an introduction to asian scales using the recorder to reproduce the sounds of the Ocarina and Shakuhachi traditional flutes. Asian drumming patterns and rhythms, and Asian theatrical traditions including, Chinese Shadow Plays, Kabuki, Noh Theatre, and the Chinese comedic form of Xiangsheng.
Each week the children will participate in an overview of the subject areas followed by preparation for a final performance incorporating aspects of the Asian traditions.
The performance will include a performance circle defined by parents, family, and community supporters. One section of the circle will be open to provide an entrance and exit for the children. The performance will begin with an introduction by one or several students. The introduction provides the audience with an overview of the performance and guidance for their own participation.
Students will enter the circle and present their work or collaboration in turns. Once all of the small group and individual displays and performances are complete, the entire camp will participate in a Dragon/Lion dance finale.
We are very excited about ARTSCAPE camp this year and are very thankful to the our 2011 instructors:
Gary Dennis- Lead Instructor & Drama
Karen Gordon – Music
Alexis Beard – Dance
Kathy Jowers – Visual Art
Camp Counselors:
Jamie Nicole Lowe
Amber Jowers
Michael Ryan
If you would like more information on 2011 ARTSCAPE camp please call the local Boys and Girls Club of your choice.
Until Next Time,
