Brandywine Art Guide: Camps & classes

Posted by Victoria Rose on February 10, 2024

Chester County Art Association

Summer may seem far away, but now is the time to sign up for camp. Whether you have a young artist looking to spend all summer creating their masterpiece or someone looking to learn a new skill over break, there are options throughout the Brandywine Valley. Don’t forget to sign up soon.

• Celebrate Art Across America at the Summer Art Camp at Wayne Art Center. Themes range from Pop to Folk to Modern Art, covering local artistic traditions, art from Indigenous cultures, portraiture, and more. Camps run from June 10 to Aug. 23. Classes and workshops are also held throughout the year for artists of all ages and skill levels. The Wayne Art Center is at 431 Maplewood Avenue, Wayne. More information can be found at WayneArt.org.

• In A Summer of Color! the Main Line Art Center offers half- and full-day camps for kids ages 5 through 16. Camps let students learn a variety of art styles and techniques, from drawing and painting to printmaking and pottery — even raku firing. Each week ends with an Art Party where campers show off their creations to family and friends. Camps run weekly from June 17 to Aug. 23. Scholarships and accommodations are available, contact the camp director at the link below for more information. There are also classes available for adults, beginners, people looking to level up their skills, and advanced students. The Main Line Art Center is at 746 Panmure Road in Haverford. More information can be found at MainLineArt.org.

• The Chester County Arts Association has a full lineup of camps, classes, and workshops all summer long. Camps run weekly from June 17 to Aug. 23. Young campers can learn a new skill, from drawing to painting to pottery and more, in medium-based or themed sessions. Intermediate and advanced students have options to level up with workshops and classes taught by experienced local artists. Scholarships are available for qualifying families. The CCAA is located at 100 North Bradford Avenue, West Chester. More information can be found at ChesterCountyArts.org.

• The Media Arts Council will offer MAC Summer Arts Camps for children ages 8 through 17. Graphic novel design, nature-based STEAM, anime, painting, and crafts are all on the schedule. Camps will run from June 17 to July 26. The MAC Arts Center is located at 11 E. State Street, Media. More information can be found at MediaArtsCouncil.org.

• Re-New and celebrate “Art for Earth” at the Summer Spree Art Camp at Community Arts Center. Taught by a different experienced artist each week, young campers will create sculptures from plastic bottle caps, learn about biodiversity, create habitats for pollinators, and use recycled materials in their masterpieces. Teen Studios focus on advanced art skills and techniques including pottery, fashion upcycling, digital drawing, and more. Camps run from June 17 to Aug. 16. The Community Arts Center is located at 414 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford. More information can be found online at CommunityArtsCenter.org.

• Nature inspires great works of art at Historic Yellow Springs this summer. Camps are available for kids ages 6 through 16, based on natural themes as well as various art techniques. The camp weekly schedule will be released soon. Classes for adults run all year long as well! Historic Yellow Springs is located at 1685 Art School Road, Chester Springs. More information can be found at YellowSprings.org.

• Right in the heart of the Brandywine Valley, Free Range Art offers art classes and workshops throughout the year to children, tweens/teens, and adults. Using traditional and unusual materials, artists are encouraged to release their creativity in small, curated classes. Classes are offered for various schedules, including ones perfect for homeschool students and parents looking to keep kids busy during days off from school. Free Range Art is located at 381 Brinton Lake Road, Thornton. More information can be found at FreeRangeArt.com.

• Classes are offered throughout the year for children ages 8 and up at the Square Pear Gallery. With only 4 to 5 students per class, young artists learn drawing and painting techniques while creating their own masterpieces. The Square Pear Gallery is located at 200 East State Street, Kennett Square. More information can be found at SquarePearGallery.com.

About Victoria Rose

Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.