I am excited to offer two different themes for camp this summer! If your child truly loves art camp, they could come to two different weeks of camp.
Inspiring Artists:
Session 1: June 8-12
Session 3: June 22-26
Session 5: August 10-14
Learn about the lives and art of a range of artists- both contemporary and historic. Projects will be designed to offer artists a range of media and techniques to practice. Painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking will be included. Young artists will experience a balance of structured learning and more self-led exploration. For the final project, artists will paint an acrylic painting with a subject of their choice.
Joy of Color:
Session 2: June 15-18 (4-day week to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday)
Session 4: August 3-7
Take a deep dive into color theory! Young artists love learning about color! From kaleidoscopes to color wheels, drawing, printmaking and painting, projects will be designed to offer artists a range of media and techniques to practice. Artists will experience a balance of structured learning and more self-led exploration all while increasing their color literacy. For the final project, artists will paint an acrylic painting with a subject of their choice.
Projects for both camps will be designed to offer artists a range of media and techniques to practice. Painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking will be included. I strive to offer a balance between more structured learning and open-ended exploration. For the final project, artists will paint an acrylic painting with a subject of their choice.
Camp sessions are held Monday through Friday from 9 to 3 in Lucy’s backyard studio in El Cerrito. Each week will end with a short art show just before pick up on Friday afternoon.
Camps are for kids ages 6 to 13* and cost $625. There will be a limit of 8 or 9 students per session. * Younger campers must have completed first grade.
Camp Registration will open on or around January 12th. Get on my email list to be notified. Specific dates will be listed at that time, but camps are likely to happen the last 3 weeks of June and in early August.
Go to the Enroll page to see which camps are open and to save your spot with a deposit.
What an honor to win the Best of El Cerrito award for summer camp!
Art Camp Testimonials
Lucy Ames’ art camp is the highlight of my daughter’s summer, every single year. It’s the thing she counts down to and talks about long after it’s over. Lucy creates a space where kids feel seen, capable, and proud of what they make. We feel incredibly lucky to have found her.
And the art they bring home… it honestly blows us away. Several are framed and hanging in our hallway, which feels like the highest compliment we can give.
—Rachel M.
Ms. Ames is one of the brightest talents I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. Whether it’s teaching kindergarteners or grown ups, her art classes are thoughtful, engaging, and produce beautiful projects. Beyond that, her zest for instilling creativity in others is infectious, it is a joy to make art with her.
—Eleanor H. (Eleanor sends her child to art camp— but also sees “Ms. Ames” in action while volunteering in art classes at the Berkeley school where Lucy teaches TK-5th grade art.)
We feel so incredibly lucky to have found this camp. Ms. Lucy is such a gem who has inspired much creativity in my son. Her passion for art and genuine care for her students make every day a joy for him. —Jenny P.
My kids have been going to Lucy’s art camp every summer for many years. Her beautiful backyard and studio create such a fun, serene and magical environment. The kids learn different methods of art making and come home chatting excitedly about everything they did and learned. It's amazing how much they create in just a week's time. I don’t know much about art or making art but thought that it was important for my kids to be exposed to even a little bit of it. Lucy does just that, and in a fun and supportive way.
—Kathy L.
Lucy Ames Art Camp was a gem of an experience for my son. A beautiful and intimate space for your kid to explore their creative leanings with calm guidance from Lucy. Highly recommend!
—Alana
My daughter (age 10) LOVES Lucy's art camps. The childrens' creativity thrives in the calm, joyful, supportive environment that Lucy creates in her gorgeous garden studio. Every year my daughter asks to attend again and ends the week feeling proud and accomplished!
—Chloe D.
