Art and summer fun

Suzie Harrison

Participating in theater, writing, painting, building sand

castles, learning Polynesian dance and creating paper mache art are

just some of the activities children can experience at the Huntington

Beach Art Center’s Summer Art Camp.

“Each week we have a theme with all disciplines represented. This

morning we had a theater project and we’re currently working on a

slice of life painting,” explained Danielle Segura, painting

instructor.

The class was studying modern artist Robert Deaunay who painted

the Eiffel Tower more than 30 times..

Before starting each project, the students are given an art

history lesson on each topic, which helps to educate and give

background on each artist.

The children intently worked on their multi-media art, giving

their interpretation of symbolism and what has become symbolic in

their lives, adding the Twin Towers as a symbol of consciousness

they’re experiencing.

“That way they are thinking of their own memorial,” Segura said.

“The work is individual and as a group very much process oriented

too.”

While walking around the class to each of the tables, the teacher

was giving out compliments and suggestions with receptive young

artists eager to learn.

“Anytime you need inspiration look around and think about the

color,” said Segura.

Cody Tucker, 10, enthusiastically explained his work.

“It’s sculpting, painting -- it’s supposed to be disks, disks of

life. That’s what the artist called these circles.”

Cody said his project was easy and fun to do.

“I like making the abstract nonobjective paintings with circles,

squares and lines and stuff,” he said.

In its fifth year the art camp has grown successively. The campers

can enroll for morning classes or for a full day with about 20

students per class.

“It’s very fun and exciting. Every day there is something new. I

am always excited about what we’re going to do,” said Savanna Smith,

8.

One of the most popular projects was when children got to make

their own games starting with a concept and creating the characters,

rules and making it viable.

“The board games were fun,” said Sean Trulli, 7. “I learned that I

could do good drawings, because I used to think I did bad drawings.

Now I know how.”

After learning about the different artists and disciplines, the

experience will culminate with an exhibit of the 300-plus works the

campers created. The exhibit will run from Aug. 29-31.

It used to be that students were able to sign up for as many weeks

as possible, but this year there was a cap at two weeks.

“It allows diversity with the program, to be able to serve more

students throughout the summer,” said Darlene De Angelo, curator of

programs.

The program is multi-disciplinary so the students study music,

dance and visual arts. New this year is a teen camp for 13 to 15-year

olds, scheduled for the last week in August.

For more information on the camp or exhibit, call (714) 374-1650.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter with Times Community News. She may

be reached at (949)494-4231 or by e-mail at

suzie.Harrison@latimes.com.