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Chester County Press

Oxford Arts Alliance offers summer art camps

06/14/2021 09:33PM ● By Steven Hoffman

This year, the Oxford Arts Alliance is holding all of their summer art camps at the Octoraro Art Association at 5965 Forge Road in Oxford. Young artists will be following in the footsteps of many famous local artists while enjoying the beautiful countryside.

One of those famous artists is Charles X. Carlson. Carlson and Oxford businessman John Roberts formed Octoraro Art Association in 1948. They brought together a small group who were interested in painting. The group held many plein air painting events for artists, and one of their favorite subjects was the Old Pine Grove Covered Bridge which was a stone’s throw away from their door.

The Pine Grove Covered Bridge spans the East Branch of Octoraro Creek on the border between Lancaster County and Chester County. It is the longest covered bridge in Lancaster County, and was built in 1884 by Elias McMellen. 

This year, young students age 7 and up will have an opportunity to embrace the great outdoors and join clay camps or plein air painting camps.

“This is the first year we have been able to hold our plein air camp outside, and we are all so excited about that,” said Caitlin Daugherty, the director of art at the Oxford Arts Alliance. “It is the fifth year we held the clay camp outside at the Octoraro Art Association.”

She thanked Jay Eaton for making that possible. “Jay is the president of the Octoraro Art Association, and one of the founders of the Oxford Arts Alliance,” she explained.

Camps will be for children age 7 and up, with a maximum capacity of 8 campers. Each week will include two half-day camps. The morning session (ages 7-9) will run from 9 a.m. to noon. The afternoon session (ages 10 and over) will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Drop off for the morning session is from 9 to 9:15 a.m. each day. Pick up for the morning session is from 11:50 a.m. to noon each day. Drop off for the afternoon session is from 1 to 1:15 p.m. each day. Pick up for the afternoon session is from 3:50 to 4 p.m. each day. Lunch or snacks will not be provided to lessen the possibility of coronavirus exposure. Campers should bring a water bottle.

Registration is closed a week before each camp begins.

The instructor for the clay camp is Maggie Creshkoff. Creshkoff has been teaching at the Arts Alliance since 2014. She is a well-known ceramicist based in Cecil County. The clay used is locally sourced. Students are taught hand-building techniques, texture, under-glazing and other decorative effects. Clay camp projects will be available for pick up from Saturday, Sept. 4 through Saturday, Sept. 11, and they must be picked up by then because they will not be storing any projects at the arts alliance. 

En plein air, or plein air painting, is the act of painting outdoors. Karen Andress is the instructor for ages 7 to 9. This is her third year teaching with the arts alliance. Students will be using acrylic on canvas and instructed in mark-making tools.

Students 10 and over will be instructed by Sally Wilson. They will be using water color, acrylic and other mediums.


DATES

Plein Air Camps: July 12 to 16

Plein Air Camps: July 19 to 23

Clay Camp Advanced: July 26 to Aug. 6

Clay Camp Beginner: July 26 to 30

Clay Camp Beginner: Aug.. 2 to 6

 

TIMES

Morning Session 9 a.m. to noon

Afternoon Session 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

COST

Plein Air Camps

$90 for members and $110 for non-members


Clay Camps

Beginner

$180 for members and $200 for non-members

Advanced

$220 for members and $240 for non-members

LOCATION

5965 Forge Road in Oxford


For more information call Caitlin Daugherty at 610-467-0301 or check out their website at www.oxfordart.org.