The Community Arts Project children's room (Cathy Templeton / The Community Arts Project)

The Community Arts Project plans more than 30 camp classes this summer, and invites the community to an open house this weekend to learn more about them.

Sponsored by the Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture department and The Community Arts Project, the “Summer Camp Crawl” Saturday will give parents and students the opportunity to sample class projects, meet the art teachers and ask any questions they may have.

A painting made by one of the younger CAP students (Christina Ritchie Rogers / CorneliusNews.net)

“In addition to the classes just being being fun and a social outlet – though that’s a big part of it – the kids learn that there are no limits to their creativity,” Executive Director for the Community Arts Project Cathy Templeton said.

The crawl, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 2, in the Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak St., is open to all students in preschool through high school and their families.

The Community Arts Project (CAP) hopes to expand their teen classes this year, and plans several camp classes with new themes, like “Hollywood” and “Twilight,” as well as advanced materials classes like ceramics.

“I would like to get more teens over here so they can see what we do,” Ms. Templeton said.

All classes begin with a “grounding point,” such as a lesson about an artist, or reading a book, or discussion of a theme, Ms. Templeton said. The students then are free to begin their projects, exploring new materials, methods and concepts.

“There are developmental and educational benefits that the kids don’t even realize they’re getting,” Ms. Templeton said. And there also are benefits to working in the studio environment at the arts center, she said. “The students feel freer to use different materials and make a mess and try new things.”

CONSIDERING CAMP?
The summer camps run for four or five days each from June 13 to August 19, and registration opens online April 1. Families that attend the Camp Crawl will be able to enter a drawing for a free camp, which is a $120 to $150 value.

The Community Arts Project also offers discounts for registering early and “multiple madness” discounts for signing up more than one student.

To register online, click here.