Beginning the first week of June, people of all ages will be able to explore their creativity through arts and music classes offered by Samford University's Academy of the Arts.
New this summer is the Academy's Arts for Children art camps with Birmingham-area artist Carolyn Wass. Children taking these classes will learn ceramics, watercolor painting and acrylic painting. For the first time ever, the Academy also is offering a class in ceramics for adults.
Traditional arts classes will be offered in calligraphy, photography, knitting, essay writing, poetry and painting, as well. These classes have been part of the Academy's curriculum for several years and are very popular with community patrons of all ages, according to Chris McCaghren, director of Samford's Institute for Continued Learning.
The Academy of the Arts also will offer its traditional summer music camps. Adventures in Music June 16- 20 and July 7-11 is for students who have completed grades 1-12. The Adventures in Music Camp is for those students who want to continue training in piano and voice. Students taking these classes will have their own schedule, including four 30-minute lessons, music literature, ensemble, theory, practice time, recreation, guest artists and swimming. Pianists must have completed a minimum of three months instruction prior to camp and will attend ensemble classes. Vocalists must be at least 10 years old and will attend ensemble and stage technique classes. Enrollment is limited to the first registration deposits received. Students are accepted until both sessions are filled.
The All Aboard Music Preschool Camp July 14-18 is for children ages 3-6 who have not attended the first grade. Activities will include singing, movement, listening activities, crafts, instruments of the orchestra, learning enters, guest artist and a daily snack. Campers also will have fun learning music history and will have time for recreation, according to Joe Hopkins, dean of Samford's School of the Arts.
"We are offering a summer of learning to people of all ages in the arts," said Joe Hopkins. "We believe we have a well-rounded schedule of classes planned for people of any age who want to explore their creativity."
