Camp Create for Teens

Ages 13-17

Mon- Thursday, June 22-25, 9 AM-3 PM

Camp Create is perfect for youth who want to explore their imagination through a variety of art media, learn about the arts of a culture, and gainnew artistic skills. Designed to inspire creativity and gain insights about a specific culture, these classes encourage participants to think outside the box, see people and things with new eyes, and gain new art skills and techniques using different art media. Camp Create’s theme this year is “Cultural Gems of China.”

Offerings include 4 different arts experiences:

Landscape Painting- 9-10:15 am • Melodee Strong

Jade Jewelry- 10:30-11:45 pm • Jeanette Dickinson

Opera Masks- 12:30-1:45 pm • Julie Boada

Wonderous Wall Hangings- 1:45-3 pm • Tara Fahey

Internship Program

Paying it forward

One of the ways older ArtStart campers can turn their knowledge and skill learned in Camp Create into action, is to assist artists and staff as interns in ArtStart’s 2-week Passport to China camp for younger children ages 4-12 years. Interns work side-by-side with professional teaching artists to assist in the classroom.The internship program is for youth ages 13 years & older. There are 16 openings for full-day internships this year. Interns receive a stipend each week. To be apply for an internship, both new and returning interns should complete the following by April 25, 2026:

1. Fill out the application for interns by April 25. Apply online at artstart.org under Youth Camps, Camp Create. We will reach out within two weeks of your application to schedule an interview.

2. Register for Camp Create offered June 22-25, 2026 from 9 am–3 pm. If you are selected, reserve Friday, June 26 from 10 am-3 pm for Internship Training and Camp set-up.

A Start with the Arts meets daily Monday-Friday and offers 4-5 year-olds the opportunity to work with an arts educator to explore the art, culture, and wildlife of China throughmovement, drama, art making and other hands-on activities.This program for pre-schoolers parallels the school-age program in theme and content, Chinese Holidays & Traditions: July 6-10

For ages 4-5.

8:30am: Clay

Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Army: Terracotta Warriors and Horses

Imagine a silent army of thousands, buried underground for two thousand years. But these life-size soldiers and their horses are made of clay! Learn about the fierce terracotta fighters that guard the tomb of China’s first Emperor with artist Katja Johnson. Then create your own warrior and horse from clay to guard your room. Additional $10 material fee.

10:15am: Jewelry

Jade: Stone of Heaven

Jade is a hard stone that has been carved for over 7,000 years into Chinese cultural objects. Initially used for ceremonial items, jade jewelry became sought after by royalty and nobles to show their status. Today, jade remains popular, and Chinese people wear it to symbolize wealth and good luck. In this class, you will fashion your own jade jewelry with Jeanette Dickinson to wear or give as a treasured gift to someone you love. Additional $10 material fee.

For ages 6 – 8.

8:30am: Jewelry

Jade: Stone of Heaven

Jade is a hard stone that has been carved for over 7,000 years into Chinese cultural objects. Initially used for ceremonial items, jade jewelry became sought after by royalty and nobles to show their status. Today, jade remains popular, and Chinese people wear it to symbolize wealth and good luck. In this class, you will fashion your own jade jewelry with Jeanette Dickinson to wear or give as a treasured gift to someone you love. Additional $10 material fee.

10:15am: Clay

Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Army: Terracotta Warriors and Horses

Imagine a silent army of thousands, buried underground for two thousand years. But these life-size soldiers and their horses are made of clay! Learn about the fierce terracotta fighters that guard the tomb of China’s first Emperor with artist Katja Johnson. Then create your own warrior and horse from clay to guard your room. Additional $10 material fee.

For ages 9 – 12.

8:30am: Landscape Painting

Along the Yangtze

Chinese landscape painting is famous around the world. One of the most famous ones, 10,000 Miles along the Yangtze River, was painted on a 53-foot- long hand scroll in the 17th century by artist Wang Hui! From towering mountains to soft rolling hills and rivers, these pictures inspire awe and wonder. Study some of these beautiful works with artist Melodee Strong. Then try your hand at creating some of your own lush landscapes.

10:15am: Masks

Beijing Opera Masks

Beijing opera has been the entertainment of emperors and important officials since the 18th century in China. It combines singing, mime, dance and acrobatics, as well as elaborate face painting known as lianpu. The exaggerated facial expressions and colors signal character traits to the audience, for example, yellow for evil, red for courage, blue for fierceness. Learn about this fascinating tradition with artist Gustavo Boada, and then create your own dramatic opera mask.

For ages 9 – 12.

8:30am: Medicinal Arts

Mapping Energy Flow

Traditional Chinese medicine views the body as a network of energy channels - known as meridians - through which vital energy (qi) flows. Reflexology is a way to stimulate specific points on the feet and hands to improve the flow of your qi to related organs and body systems. Guided by artist and herbalist Laurie Witzkowski, you will learn some of its basic techniques, then create detailed colorful maps of the magic in our hands and feet.

10:15am: Puppetry

Lion and Dragon Dance Puppets

Long ago, the Chinese performed dragon dances as a way to worship their ancestors and pray for rain, and lion dances to bring good luck. These colorful puppet dances are still celebrated at Chinese New Year and other special occasions such as festivals and weddings. In this class, you’ll get inspired by photos and videos of these magical performances, and then create your own one-person “accordion” puppet of a fantastical lion or dragon with artists Julie Boada.

For ages 9 – 12.

8:30am: Puppetry

Lion and Dragon Dance Puppets

Long ago, the Chinese performed dragon dances as a way to worship their ancestors and pray for rain, and lion dances to bring good luck. These colorful puppet dances are still celebrated at Chinese New Year and other special occasions such as festivals and weddings. In this class, you’ll get inspired by photos and videos of these magical performances, and then create your own one-person “accordion” puppet of a fantastical lion or dragon with artist Gustavo Boada.

10:15am: Landscape Painting

Along the Yangtze

Chinese landscape painting is famous around the world. One of the most famous ones, 10,000 Miles along the Yangtze River, was painted on a 53-foot- long hand scroll in the 17th century by artist Wang Hui! From towering mountains to soft rolling hills and rivers, these pictures inspire awe and wonder. Study some of these beautiful works with artist Melodee Strong. Then try your hand at creating some of your own lush landscapes.

For ages 6 – 8.

8:30am: Puppetry

Lion and Dragon Dance Puppets

Long ago, the Chinese performed dragon dances as a way to worship their ancestors and pray for rain, and lion dances to bring good luck. These colorful puppet dances are still celebrated at Chinese New Year and other special occasions such as festivals and weddings. In this class, you’ll get inspired by photos and videos of these magical performances, and then create your own one-person “accordion” puppet of a fantastical lion or dragon with artists Julie Boada.

10:15am: Medicinal Arts

Mapping Energy Flow

Traditional Chinese medicine views the body as a network of energy channels - known as meridians - through which vital energy (qi) flows. Reflexology is a way to stimulate specific points on the feet and hands to improve the flow of your qi to related organs and body systems. Guided by artist and herbalist Laurie Witzkowski, you will learn some of its basic techniques, then create detailed colorful maps of the magic in our hands and feet.

For ages 6 – 8.