The Arts Palace, a visual and performing arts program of the Marion Palace Theatre, offers area youth the opportunity to become involved in the arts as part of the theatre's Summer Day Camps Program. 

Camps will kick off the week of July 20 and run through August 7 for children ages 6 years and up.  Registration deadlines are one week before classes begin. Following are summer camp details:

Adventures In Art students ages 9-12 yearswill meet in the mornings July 20-July 24 from 9 am to noon.  This camp's visual arts projects are designed to expand kids' appreciation for creative learning and artistic expression. This camp will focus on using a variety of materials that many students haven't experienced in a typical classroom setting.  The projects are fun, fresh and will get the children's creative juices flowing.  Students will take home an array of fabulous works of art that include but are not limited to sculpture, fiber arts, painting and drawing.  Participants will create a plaster fresco painting, experiment with altering photographic images, create three-dimensional masterpieces on canvas, design sculptures in clay, make homemade paper, create 3 dimensional forms using "glass-like" material and so much more!  Instructed by Anne Quilter, B.A. Ohio State University; M.A. Art Therapy; ArtEducatorMarionCitySchools.  Camp fee is $75.

Culinary Camp for Kids ages 9-12 years will meet July 20-July 24 from 1 pm to 4 pm.  Future chefs will create appealing appetizers, magnificent main dishes and delicious desserts. And, yes, they will eat what they create!  Students will take a five day journey into the kitchen creating a full menu around fun themes that include a Hawaiian Luau, a Breakfast Bonanza, Gourmet Pizza Shop, Silly Suppers and a Backyard BBQ.  Children are taught the importance of food preparation, keeping a clean work space, kitchen safety, how to follow recipe directions and measuring ingredients. Culinary campers will learn basic cooking techniques using a microwave, double burner, oven and classic cooking tools. Each chef will receive a recipe book and an apron to use during the week and at home after the fun is done.  Camp size is limited to 12 students, please register early.  Classes led by Connie Cornwell of Connie's Cakes, a home-based business for 29 years.   Camp fee is $85.
 
Science Explorers will introduce students ages 8-11 years to the wondrous world of science. Marvelous Professor Gizmos Molecules is back this summer with a line up of exciting new hands-on science projects that will engage young students' minds.  This camp offers the inquisitive fresh and clever instructional insights that will feed their need to know how things work and why.  Students will create gooey concoctions, an erupting volcano and more.  Instructed by Greg Menzie, B.A. Muskingum College; MATL Nova Southeastern; Elementary Educator Marion City Schools  Campers meet from 9am to 11am the week of July 27-July 31.  Camp fee is $60.
 
Set The Stage has always been an ArtsPalace camp favorite for children of all ages.  The Palace Theatre stage jumps to life as campers prepare a lively and energetic musical "When I Grow Up."  Young actors are immersed in the production process learning lines and cues, preparing energetic song and dance numbers and performing on the Palace stage. This camp will teach students acting skills, give them performance experience, build a sense of accomplishment and most of all encourage them to HAVE FUN!  Every actor will receive lines to memorize. Students work with professional actress, choreographer and Broadway veteran Kristi Wink on character development, voice and diction, performance skills, singing, and dancing. This camp runs Monday through Thursday.  On Friday afternoon at 2:30 pm, campers from both age groups will gather together for rehearsal and a pizza party and then have a performance for friends and family at 5:30 pm.  Parents are encouraged to bring cameras and video equipment to the final performance.  Again this year, the camp fee includes energy boosting snacks and a t-shirt!  Please have your child's t-shirt size ready when enrolling him or her in this camp.  Due to popular demand this camp is offered the week of July 27-July 31- and August 3-August 7.  Students 6-8 years will meet from 10 am to noon and ages 9-12 years will meet from 1 pm to 4 pm.  Camp fee is $60 for students age 6-8 years attending the morning sessions and $75 for students age 9 & up attending the afternoon classes.  Class fees include a t-shirt, take home practice materials and pizza party.

Goopy, Gooey Global Art for children ages 6-8 years will meet from 9 am to noon the week of August 3-August 7.  Young artists enrolled in Goopy, Gooey & Global Art will travel around the globe creating impressive works of art that will be proudly displayed on mantles all across Marion.  Instructor Patti Sharpe will begin each day by sharing a brief story or art history lesson that will teach the children about different cultures and their people. Students will explore the lands of Africa to create paper beads & tribal masks; South America to construct piņata birds and polychrome coil pottery; Europe to design a self portrait in a grand gold frame; Asia to make wind socks and hand printed wrapping paper; North America to craft fishing decoys and practice Native American basket weaving. Get ready to get goopy, get gooey, and get global!  Classes are taught by Patti Sharpe, A.A.MiamiUniversity; Freelance Illustrator.  Camp fee $75.

All camp participants receive healthy, energy boosting snacks mid-session each day. Registration deadline is one week prior to the first class meeting. Class sizes are limited; early enrollment is encouraged. Discounts are available to Palace Theatre members, siblings enrolled in the same class or multiple registrations.
 
Thanks to the generous funding from the Marion Rotary Club, Rita Erickson Memorial Scholarship Fund, and Junior Service Guild scholarships are available to students based on need and artistic interest.  For more information or to register for the classes mentioned above, please call The Palace Theatre Box Office, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm or Saturday 9 am to noon at 740-383-2101.