Three years ago, our family bought Cheers N Paint, an independent paint and sip studio. The paint and sip business at that time was mainly focused on adults. We had a plan and wanted to expand the studio’s programs to include kids’ paint classes. Our daughter, one of our artist instructors and operations manager, learned to paint at a local paint studio as a child. It was such a wonderful experience for her, leading her from a hobby to a career, that she wanted to recreate that experience for others. Little Splatters, a kids’ art class, was born.
The Story Behind Art Camp at Cheers N Paint
More and more kids attend these weekly art classes regularly. We started to hear from our students and parents suggesting an art camp. So in 2021, Summer Art Camp began at our studio! Eight weeks of art camp were planned. The first year was a learning experience as we tested what campers liked and how to structure the day. The first couple of weeks of camp was slow, we had less than 10 campers each session, but it was a start.
The Fun and Creativity of Summer Art Camp in Cary
Fast forward to 2023. This year summer art camp will run for 11 weeks, each with a different theme. Art camp sessions have grown, with 20+ campers attending each week. We’ve added half-day afternoon sessions and employ several camp counselors in addition to the lead artist.
Yes, we are a business, but what really makes the summer camp experience special for us? First, it’s our repeat and satisfied customers! Many Little Splatters students come to camp. Campers from 2021 attended in 2022 and are registered for 2023. Most come for more than 1 week. Often new campers register for one week and, after a few days at camp, are anxious to register for additional weeks.
Needless to say, our young artists and campers become like family to us. We see them year after year (and sometimes more often). They share what’s going on in school, in sports, or other activities and tell us about their vacations. Campers often come with their siblings, cousins, or neighborhood friends. Our counselors are local high school and college students who have been working with us for several years. Campers and counselors become friends and look forward to seeing each other every summer.
We love to watch these young artists grow and flourish. And they are constantly surprising us with their vision, creativity, and imagination.
Young Artists Flourish: Inspiring Stories of Cheers n Paint Art Campers
Let me tell you a few stories about these young artists.
It’s superhero theme week, and campers are given a refrigerator box to build a superhero city. Here’s where their imagination takes off. They work together, each contributing ideas to the project. By Friday, they have created a sprawling metropolis by painting and adding details to a simple cardboard box. A painted mural is hung on the wall behind the sprawling city. They even create a working elevator for the superhero skyscraper!
Magic happens during Enchanted Forest week. Campers are challenged to build a fairy world in a plastic shoe box from recyclables and craft supplies. Everyday objects are transformed. Bottle caps are turned into chairs and bathtubs; tiny gardens are made from pipe cleaners and buttons. There are duplexes with swimming pools, paved walkways, and tiny rooms filled with furniture. Their “villages” and “gardens” are unique, visions transformed.
Our of this World is a popular week at camp as it centers around outer space. A favorite canvas “The Galaxy” is painted that week. But camp is more than just painting. Another favorite activity this week is building a rocket ship. The finale is launching those spaceships behind the studio using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. The contest winner is whose ship goes the farthest. Science meets art meets fun!
We never cease to be amazed at what our campers will create. School’s out for summer and traditional learning over. But art sparks imagination. It is the conduit that takes traditional learning and gives kids the vision to create. They channel this creative energy and take the structure of STEAM learning and build a superhero metropolis. The lesson of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is transformed to a magical fairy village. The science lab becomes a space “race”.
We can’t wait to see what Art Camp 2023 brings. Stay tuned and watch our social media posts with pictures and videos from what’s happening at Summer Art Camp.
Art camp with Cheers N Paint is an experience your child will cherish for years to come. Our camp weeks are filled with fun, creativity, and imaginative projects that spark joy in children of all ages. So if you’re looking for an exciting art camp in Cary, look no further than Cheers N Paint! Head over to our calendar to see upcoming camp sessions, and sign up your artist today!
