Classes
MORNING BLOCK 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. (with ½ hour break)
Students have the choice of a Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Media Arts, block of classes which lasts all morning. New last year, this is an exciting new approach to an in-depth exploration of one of these genres. The blocks are team-taught by two instructors and 1 – 3 assistants. Within the block, students participate in a variety of artistic mediums which we describe below for each block.
Students build collaborative and analytical skills as well as learning artistic techniques. Groups are divided by age, skill level and interest as they undertake specific projects. The whole group will work together on a group project as well as individual ones.
An additional benefit to this new format includes the opportunity to include all students that wish to take a specific block. Campers who sign up later can still be with their friends or family. If a large number of students sign up for a block, more staff will be added to keep the same staff/student ratio.
MEDIA ARTS BLOCK - Photography, Videography, Stop-Motion Animation with the addition of Radio Show Production on the Valley Campus. Students will download their projects to computers to learn to edit and upload some of their work to the CAI website.
PERFORMING ARTS BLOCK - Dance (various styles), drama (improvisation, characterization, movement for the stage, ensemble work), singing (individual and ensemble).
VISUAL ARTS BLOCK - Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Collage. Projects in additional mediums may be undertaken depending on the interests of the students.
AFTERNOON CLASSES 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. and 2:15 – 3:15 p.m
After lunch, students choose two additional classes to allow them to explore and experience additional interests.
ADVENTURES IN COOKING Cook like a chef. This class will teach classic cooking techniques. Dishes may include soups, sauces, salads, fruits, vegetables, breads, desserts, breakfast and a sampling of international cuisines. Each day’s class will end with a tasting of the class’s creations. Every student receives a cookbook of the recipes from class to use later at home. This is a nut free class.
CERAMICS Learn to create masterpieces in clay. By using a variety of cultures as inspiration, students will learn about slab, coil and pinch technique, Students will impress clay, decorate, glaze and color ceramics. Finished pieces will be fired in a real kiln.
DESIGN PROGRAM, JR.. - This class offers younger students (8-11) to learn some of the techniques and undertake some of the same of the same projects as the Design Program for 12 – 15 year olds, taught at a level appropriate for their age. A great opportunity for the young person wanting to learn to create and sew their own designs. For more information on the Design Program, visit http://childrensartsinstitute.com/design-program/
ELEMENTS OF ART In this engaging class, students will draw and create art in different mediums, while learning fundamental art elements: line, shape, color, texture, value and space. The elements will be guidelines for the fun lessons, while helping the students develop drawing, painting and ceramics skills.
FENCING Touché! In this class students will learn the fine art of Fencing. Beginning fencers will parrie, thrust, lunge and bout, while learning the etiquette and the strategies of this fun, safe sport. All classes are taught by nationally ranked fencing teachers.
GYMNASTICSThis class helps students develop strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, cardio-vascular development and spacial orientation. The class will focus on floor exercises and basic tumbling. Gymnastics serves as a basis for all sports.
HIP HOP High energy is the way to describe this class! Complete with current and retro music, the students will be taught the basic stretches, warm up exercises, techniques and the full choreographed routines. Routines will be based upon popular music and/or classic songs from the years gone by. All routines feature a moment for each student to shine as well as be an interactive part in costuming and choreographing the routine.
MAGIC Learn the tricks and secrets of magicians and become one, yourself. How exciting it can be to be able to pick up ordinary objects like a coin, a scarf, a deck of cards—or even a pencil—and do magic with them! This class is both for the student who has aspirations to be a performing magician and the student who is intrigued by magic and would like to know some tricks to amaze his or her friends and family.
PHOTOGRAPHY Capture a moment in time! This workshop teaches students how to use a digital camera and see the world differently through the lens with an emphasis on color and subjects, as well as light and composition. Students will learn how to edit and upload their own photos to a computer. Students are encouraged to bring their own digital cameras from home. Some cameras will also be available for use during class.
SEW ON & SEW FORTH Needles and thread, yarn and cloth, imagine what you can do with a few skills and a lot of imagination. Students will learn the basics of sewing and an exciting variety of other ways to work with fiber as they construct clothing pieces, bags, pillows and all sorts of wearable art. On the Valley campus, this class will include jewelry making and concentrate on the construction of accessories.
SING IT! This fun-filled, process-oriented class encourages each student to use her/his voice to the fullest through breathing and movement techniques. Students will learn about pitch, diction, “owning” the lyrics, and more! Different styles of music, such as pop/rock, blues, jazz, folk/country, Broadway and composing original lyrics will be explored. Live piano and guitar accompaniment provided.
WOODWORKING Learn to draw, design, saw, build, and paint all kinds of fun and exciting projects in wood! Students will use the tools of the shop to construct a variety of projects. All students will work cooperatively and learn to safely handle and use the “tools of the trade” including saws, hammers, files, glue, screwdrivers, and more.
WRITE ON! In this hands-on, participatory class, everyone is encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas, and dreams via the ultimate form of personal self-expression…writing. The class will focus on many different types of writing and storytelling, including journaling, blogging, poetry, spoken word, short stories, songwriting, myths, word games, and journalism. There will be discussion of how to write articles on computers. All writers will also be the Staff Reporters for the annual CAI Newsletter. There will be editorial meetings in which each writer will get an opportunity to pitch story ideas, develop those ideas into interesting articles, work with a professional editor to refine writing, and get their picture in our newsletter.