Fantastic Voyages: Art & Creative Writing Camp

Adventure beckons! Whether it’s the deepest wilds of a dragon-infested forest, or the siren song of the sea, sometimesa (s)hero must go on a quest. You have to find the magic scroll, consult the oracle, or travel to the underworld to rescue a comrade. So pack your knapsack and sharpen your sword. As Bilbo Baggins said to his nephew: “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to. ”In this art and creative writing camp, you will work with artists and writers in a variety of mediums to concoct your own original epics. From Sculpey clay figurines and shadow puppets, to collage and book-binding techniques, you can let your imagination sweep you off to lands unknown.

8:30-10:00am

Storytelling

Quests and Creatures: Write your Own Epic Adventure

The pen is mighty! Get ready to write an adventure all your own. In this storytelling class, you’ll dream up brave (s)heroes and clever foes, build enchanted worlds, and send your characters on thrilling quests. Will they face down a fire-breathing dragon, uncover the trickster’s secret plan, or discover a potion with unexpected powers? Perhaps the witch in the tower offers help...or hides a dangerous surprise. With creative prompts and imaginative challenges to guide you, you’ll craft a story bursting with magic, mystery, and excitement. Taught by Karlyn Coleman.

Karlyn Coleman is an award-winning writer, teacher, and creative collaborator based in Minneapolis. She is a certified teacher and has taught at the Loft Literary Center for over ten years and has been a part of the Young Author’s Conference for the past four years. She loves visiting schools, libraries, and youth organizations to share writing activities of all kinds. www.karlyncoleman.com

10:15-11:45am 

Book Binding

Wizard's Words: Books That Fold, Flap, and Flutter

Witches and wizards store their spells in magical books called grimoires, and you can too! Create a series of fanciful books to hold your stories and words of power throughout the week. You’ll learn how to make a book from a single page, then progress to accordion and single signature and portfolio bindings. Then add secret pockets, hidden flaps, and surprising pop-ups to complete your mystical manuscripts. Taught by Meg Erke.

Meg is a 2D mixed-media artist working in gouache, watercolor, collage,and stop-motion animation. She is the author and illustrator of Minnealphabet: An Outdoorsy Homage to Minneapolis and the illustrator of “Outdoorsy: A Coloring Book Celebrating Our Connection to the Natural World.” She is the Co-creator of the award-winning River to River Greenway Mural in West St. Paul and the recipient of a 2023 Individual Artist Residency at the Tofte Lake Center.

Ages 6-8

Early Bird Pricing: 5% off through Feb. 3, 2026

Half day = $247/week (code EARLYHALF26)

Full day = $437/week (code EARLYFULL26)

Standard Pricing: Starting February 4, 2026

Half day = $260/week (Either morning or afternoon)

Full day = $460/week (use code FULLDAY26) 

Fantastic Voyages: Art & Creative Writing Camp

Adventure beckons! Whether it’s the deepest wilds of a dragon-infested forest, or the siren song of the sea, sometimesa (s)hero must go on a quest. You have to find the magic scroll, consult the oracle, or travel to the underworld to rescue a comrade. So pack your knapsack and sharpen your sword. As Bilbo Baggins said to his nephew: “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to. ”In this art and creative writing camp, you will work with artists and writers in a variety of mediums to concoct your own original epics. From Sculpey clay figurines and shadow puppets, to collage and book-binding techniques, you can let your imagination sweep you off to lands unknown.

12:30-2:00pm

Mixed Media

Brave: Underdogs and Dark Horses

Many a story begins with an ordinary person or animal who faces extraordinary circumstances. Kate DiCamillo’s Despereaux is just one small mouse, and Edward Tulane is a vain china rabbit who doesn’t care for anyone but himself. Each is forced to step outside of their comfort zone and attempt things they never dreamed of doing! In this fun course, start with collage techniques to invent some unlikely champions. Then create Sculpey versions of your favorites, and invent legends about their adventures. Taught by Franny Haight.

Franny Haight is a Fine Arts artist and educator with a focus on sculpture and printmaking. She received her BFA at the University of Minnesota in June of 2025. She started working at ArtStart’s ArtScraps Creative Ideas and Materials Center in the winter of 2024. She loves working for ArtStart because of the playful energy and community that the organization provides.

2:15-3:45pm 

Puppetry

Shadowy Worlds, Tall Tales

Create a magical world of shadows and limitlessness, where talking horses fly, mermaids live in tree houses, and tiny gnomes can become gigantic! In this class, a simple spell or an angry fairy’s curse can send your (s)hero off on a journey. Work with puppeteer Kallie Melvin to invent your own shadow puppet characters and scenery, then see what fanciful stories appear.

Kallie Melvin is a puppeteer and teaching and performing artist. She has worked with ArtStart, Monkeybear Harmolodics Workshop, In the Heart of the Beast Mask and Puppet Theatre, Z Puppets, Open Eye Theatre’s Puppet Lab program, and the Weisman Art Museum. She is also the Acting Regional Director of Puppeteers of America Great Plains. She uses her original puppetry work as a means to tell stories and explore her experiences as an intercontinental transracial adoptee growing up in the Twin Cities.

Ages 6-8

Early Bird Pricing: 5% off through Feb. 3, 2026

Half day = $247/week (code EARLYHALF26)

Full day = $437/week (code EARLYFULL26)

Standard Pricing: Starting February 4, 2026

Half day = $260/week (Either morning or afternoon)

Full day = $460/week (use code FULLDAY26)