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.
Goopy, Gooey Global Art will kick off the Summer Camp line-up at the Palace. Young artists ages 6-8 years will travel around the globe creating works of art. Instructor Anne Quilter will begin each day by sharing a brief story or art history lesson that will teach the children about the different cultures and the people. Students will explore the lands of Africa to create tribal masks; South America to construct mosaic pottery bowls; Europe to design a self portrait in a grand gold frame; Asia to make Gyotaku fish prints; North America to craft fingerprint beads and paper clay leaves. Class size is limited to 12 students and will meet daily July 19-July 23 from 10am to noon. Registration deadline is July 12. Class fee is $65 and includes healthy mid-session snacks and an Arts Palace t-shirt.
Adventures in Art camp for older students age 9-12 years returns to the Arts Palace under the direction of Anne Quilter. This visual arts camp's 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 may not have been introduced to in a typical classroom setting. Students will take home an array of art that includes but are not limited to sculpture, fiber arts, painting and drawing. Participants will create a modern figure sculpture, experiment with reverse pastel painting, create three-dimensional architectural letters, design screen print art works, and much more. Adventures in Art will meet daily July 19-July 23 from 1 pm to 4 pm.
The week of July 26-July 30 the Palace Theatre will be magically transformed into the Academy for Young Wizards when this popular summer camp for muggles returns. Harry Potter fans will use their imaginations with the help of the Young Wizards Academy "professors" to bring the world of Hogwarts to life. Students will focus on a different event each day. Activities include taking a trip to Diagon Alley where students will be crafting their necessary wizard supplies; cooking up treats at Honey Dukes; learning the magic of science during Potions and Incantations; meeting some interesting animals during Care of Magical Creatures; and planting their own terrarium in Herbology class. Please note that classes are designed according to age levels. Ages 6-8 years will meet in the morning from 10am to noon. Ages 9-12 years will meet from 1 pm to 4 pm. The academy's lead "Professor" is Sara Kirby, B.A., M.A. Elementary Education, Univ. of Mississippi; 3rd grade teacher at Pleasant. Joining Mrs. Kirby will be "Hogwarts Instructors" Tina Grills (Potions & Herbology), Connie Cornwell (Honey Dukes), and Jean Fisher (Magical Creatures).
A summertime tradition for many young thespians is participating in Set The Stage Theatre Camp. The Palace Theatre stage jumps to life as campers prepare a musical. Young actors are immersed in the production process learning lines and cues, preparing song and dance numbers and performing on the Palace stage. This camp will teach students acting skills, give them performance experience, and build a sense of accomplishment. Every actor will receive lines to memorize. Students work on character development, voice and diction, performance skills, singing, and dancing. This camp runs Monday through Thursday. On Friday afternoon at 2:30 pm, all campers will come 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. Please note each camp is separated by age groups. Children ages 6-8 years will meet from 10 am to noon and present "How Does Your Garden Grow?" while students ages 9-12 years will meet 1 pm to 4 pm and perform "It's Saturday!" Instructors are as follows: Johnny Steiner will direct students the week of August 2-August 6. Amanda Sterling will lead participants the following week August 9-August 13.
Class size is limited; early registration is encouraged. Enrollment deadlines for all camps are one week before the first class meeting. Camp fee includes healthy snacks and a souvenir t-shirt. Morning classes for students 6-8 years are $65. Afternoon classes for participants 9-12 years are $75.
Thanks to the Marion Kiwanis Club 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.
