Summer Arts Camps at Rhizome, in Takoma! Be creative, learn something new, make new friends, have a blast! These will be small, friendly, relaxed camps facilitated by working artists. The focus will be on creative collaboration and open-minded engagement with the subject matter in a fun, zero-pressure environment. Fees include all materials.
Sliding scale pricing - please pay whatever amount works for your family within the range. The low end of the range is approximately $12/hour plus materials; the high end is ~$18/hour plus materials. We do this so that we can compensate staff fairly for their time and expertise, while keeping things accessible.
There are scholarships available if the cost is a burden - please email us.
ANYONE SIGNING UP FOR BOTH MORNING AND AFTERNOON CAMPS CAN STAY THROUGH LUNCH FOR A FULL DAY.
Email info@rhizomedc.org with questions.
June 22-26 * 9am-12:30pm * Activist Art Camp * $220-350 * Ages 10-13
We'll read about and look at the work of artists who create change in the world. We'll identify issues that we're passionate about and find creative ways to communicate, educate, and inspire action. Media explored will include printmaking, sticker, banner and T-shirt making, and a group mural. Instructor: Kanchan Balsé
June 22-26 * 1-5pm * Electronic Music Camp* $240-360 * Ages 10-16+
Learn to create electronic music. Open to all levels of experience, including none. Camp will be structured around a daily song challenge - for example, construct a beat out of sounds you record on site. A laptop and headphones will be necessary - please let us know if you need us to provide. Beginners will download a free trial version of Ableton Live and start with the basics; more experienced musicians can use other software if preferred and will be supported at the level they’re at. Instructor: Chris Helzer
June 29 - July 3 * 9am-3pm * Hand Puppets * $360-540 * Ages 8-14
Practice the magic of making things seem alive! This is a program for kids who love to use their imaginations. We will create characters and then find stories for them. Kids will design, sculpt, sew, and paint, and then have even more fun with dexterity, sounds, and heart. Friends and family will be invited as audience members on the last day. Instructor: Rachel Gates
July 6-10 * 9am-12:30pm * DIY Paper Crafts * $210-330 * Ages 8-12
Learn how to make zines incorporating collage and other media. Make your own papers from recycled materials. Learn to use natural dyes on paper and fabric. Learn DIY printmaking techniques and other fun paper crafts. Instructors: MotorMouth
July 6-10 * 1-4pm * Quilling and Other Paper Fun * $180-270 * Ages 8-12
A full week of paper play and creation, we’ll cover paper quilling basics, pattern ideation to 3D creation, and some experimenting with color vs monochromatic. Most days of class will have a prompt or two where everyone can learn some basics to complete a project and receive help/guidance as desired. There will also be plenty of material for open crafting for those who have other ideas or just need a break from a group activity. We’ll be working first with torn paper for sunsets/gradients, cutting specific shapes for a large 3D Sun/Bloom, and then getting into quilling patterns and specific shapes. Expect much paper joy to follow you home! We’ll have a good range of ages and all levels of skill are welcome - projects are well suited to scale to fit everyone’s needs for focus and concentration. Instructor: Ashley Chiang
July 13-17 * 9am-12:30pm * DIY Animation * $210-330 * Ages 8-12
Learn DIY animation using stop motion, direct-to-film 16mm animation, and found footage techniques inspired by Lotte Reiniger, Jan Svankmeyer, Stan Brackage, Len Lye, Paul Sharitz, and Heather McAdams. Participants will explore a wide variety of techniques to create low budget animated short films. Instructor: Emily Francisco
July 13-17 * 12:30-4pm * Storycraft * $210-330 * Ages 8-12
Dynamic Duo Anna and Emily, local writers and creative game inventors, are back with a half-day camp dedicated to storycrafting: writing, drawing, performing, and dreaming up stories in ways old and new. For sure, Flaneur, we will wander once or twice down to Sligo Creek, and take visual inspiration from Takoma Park. Storycraft is 40,000 years old– therefore Camp is phone/device free! For story lovers 8-12. Instructors: Emily Ellerbe & Anna Josephson
July 20-24 * 9am-12:30pm * TBA
July 20-24 * 1-4pm * Quilling and Other Paper Fun for Teens * $180-270 * Ages 13+
A full week of paper play and creation, we’ll cover paper quilling basics, pattern ideation to 3D creation, and some experimenting with color vs monochromatic. Most days of class will have a prompt or two where everyone can learn some basics to complete a project and receive help/guidance as desired. There will also be plenty of material for open crafting for those who have other ideas or just need a break from a group activity. We’ll be working first with torn paper for sunsets/gradients, cutting specific shapes for a large 3D Sun/Bloom, and then getting into quilling patterns and specific shapes. Expect much paper joy to follow you home! We’ll have a good range of ages and all levels of skill are welcome - projects are well suited to scale to fit everyone’s needs for focus and concentration. Instructor: Ashley Chiang
July 27-31 * 9am-12:30pm * Puppetry * $210-330 * Ages 8-14
Practice the magic of making things seem alive! This is a program for kids who love to use their imaginations. We will create characters and then find stories for them. Kids will design, sculpt, sew, paint and then have even more fun with dexterity, sounds, and heart. Friends and family will be invited as audience members on the last day. Instructor: Rachel Gates
July 27-31 * 1-4pm * TBA
August 3-7 * 9am-4pm * Mixed Arts – Printed Matter * $420-600 * Ages 9-14
This week campers will try out some different printing techniques such as monoprint, collagraphy, stamping, and more! They will also self-publish a zine together, trying out different layouts and bindings. A camp for young artists and writers alike, they will read and discuss different zines and art books - and make their own! Instructor: Caroline MacKinnon
August 10-14 * 9am-4pm * Mixed Arts – Inspiring Art * $420-600 * Ages 10-13
Campers will observe select artworks in art museums in Washington DC, then return to Rhizome in the afternoons to work on their own related projects. They will make connections between different artworks, while trying out different techniques such as printing using gelli plates, assemblage or soft sculptures. Campers will practice taking a deep look at art, share ideas and at times collaborate on projects. Campers will need a prepaid Metrocard and are encouraged to bring their own sketchbooks. Instructor: Caroline MacKinnon
August 17-21 * 9am-4pm * Mixed Arts – Summer Art Experiments * $420-600 * Ages 8-11
Campers will explore various materials, drawing from the season and our environment for inspiration. They may make found-object faces after gathering materials outside, sun prints on a clear day, or melted watercolor paintings on a rainy one. Campers will play collaborative art games like pass the portrait, as well as build on their own individual projects throughout the week. Experiments will include traditional art materials like oil pastels, ink or charcoal, as well as more unconventional mark makers such grass or sticks from the yard. We will look at subjects in the summer light to spark ideas and make new things - the rainbows in a sprinkler or soap bubbles floating past. Instructor: Caroline MacKinnon
About the facilitators:
Kanchan Balsé is a teaching artist and curriculum developer with over 20 years of experience working with children in and around DC. She uses a variety of media in her own art and in her work with children and adults. Her classes center the work of artists who have been excluded from mainstream art education. Kanchan facilitates fun, inclusive, and inspiring experiences where students gain the confidence to develop their unique visual voice.
Ashley Chiang is a paper artist who folds, sculpts, and coils paper into intricate 3-dimensional designs. She travels to show her work and teach classes and workshops nationwide. For more than a decade, she has also been an unschooling parent, with another ten-ish years to go!
Emily Ellerbe is a writer, teacher, homeschooling parent, co-creator of cooperative groups, and an aspirant to playful living.
Emily Francisco is a sculptress utilizing signal flow as medium. Born in Honolulu, raised in the lead belt, educated in Saint Louis and the District of Columbia - she has exhibited work internationally and occasionally performs around Washington DC.
Rachel Gates is an award winning puppeteer who founded Rhizome Puppet Lab, now in its fourth year. She is also an educator for MCPS (Stonegate Elementary School), and a parent in Takoma Park, Maryland.
Chris Helzer is a telecommunications engineer and amateur electronic musician. In addition to occasionally teaching courses in the workplace, he has taught physics and computer programming in a homeschool cooperative, and enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for various subjects with his students. He facilitates Rhizome’s Youth Electronic Music Lab every other Sunday.
Anna Josephson is a homeschooling parent in the District. She teaches academic writing and composition at the University of Maryland. She grew up in Alaska, where she received Socratic seminar education starting at age 12. She is a published author currently shopping her first novel.
Caroline MacKinnon is a parent, artist and educator who lives in Takoma Park, MD. She teaches ceramics classes to children and adults at the Takoma Park Community Center. She also holds art workshops for small groups in area schools and has previously run arts camps at Rhizome. She likes meeting people, making art, and collecting things.
MotorMouth is a creative platform in the DMV focused on facilitating projects and spaces to encourage collaboration and community. We, Muskan and Tara, run the platform to publish art, collaborate with/spotlight other artists, as well as host and organize skillshares, workshops, and community gatherings.
Naoco Wowsugi, an artist and engaged citizen, welcomes all sisters and siblings to rise and gong on. Having good vibrations is the key to the universe.