If you’re looking for a creative way to spend your summer days, then Summer Cooking and Ceramics Camps may be right for you. Presented by Kentuck’s Studio Artists Kerry Kennedy, the Summer Cooking and Ceramics Camps feature a variety of lessons and opportunities for children and community members to learn about ceramics over the summer.

Kerry Kennedy who has been teaching for over 14 years, initially created the camp in order to fulfill the demands of the community.

“I love to teach these camps and enjoy getting to see what the kids are going to create and do with their clay projects over the course of the camp,” Kennedy said. "The camps are also a great way for me to help form some new, future artists in the area.”

Over the course of the summer, there will be three different kinds of camps: The Garden Art Ceramics Camps, the Hand-Building and Sculpture Camps, and the Throwing on the Wheel Camp. The Garden Art and Hand-Building and Sculpture Camps, with only six slots available per camp, are open to children in two different age categories: ages six to nine and ages ten and up. However, the Throwing on the Wheel Camp, with only three slots available per camp, will be available only to those ages ten and up. While the camps are mostly geared towards children, “adults are welcome to sign up as the camps are not strictly for kids,” said Valerie Piette, program manager for Kentuck Museum Association.

Each camp will focus on a different portion of ceramics, teaching camp attendees the art of creating ceramics and the proper techniques to be used.
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The Garden Art Ceramics Camps will feature ceramics meant for garden display or use. During these camps, attendees will learn about ceramics for the outdoors, such as pots for plants, and then will be given the opportunity to create pieces of their own to be used outside in a garden setting. The first of these camps will begin June 9 and run through June 11 and will be open to children ages six to nine. The second camp will take place from June 16 through the 18 and will be for attendees ages ten and up.

The second kind of camp offered will be the Hand-Building and Sculpture Camps, which will feature a variety of lessons on the methods used when forming clay. These methods will include pinching and slab construction and those in attendance, will also learn techniques that will help them to develop and use their own individual creative expression when creating ceramics. The first of these camps will be offered June 23 through June 25 for ages six to nine. The second camp will take place July 7 through July 9 and will be for ages ten and up.

The final type of camp, Throwing on the Wheel Camp, will offer instruction on how to use the potter’s wheel when creating ceramics. The camp will focus on centering and traditional, basic vessel making. Attendees will also be introduced to how to create handles and will learn a few other finishing techniques for their pieces. This camp will be offered July 14 through July 16 and will be for ages ten and up only.

For children and adults wanting to turn creative passion into action, these camps are an ideal way to spend a few summer days. The cost for each camp is $75 ($20 to reserve a spot and $55 on the first day of camp). To register, call Kentuck Museum Association at 205-758-1257.

The Kentuck Art Museum which is situated in Northport, Alabama has served hub for the artistic community for 38 years. Not only does the Kentuck Gallery serve as a host for local artists, but the Museum of Arts also hosts nationally recognized Arts Festivals each year. Kentuck serves the community by introducing established and upcoming artists to the area.

For more information about Kentuck and other Kentuck events, please visit http://www.kentuck.org/

by Kelsey Hendrix