SPREE HQ Summer Camp Week 5: Inspired by Nature

Campers joined SPREE as we looked to the River and parks for inspiration for paintings, sculptures, performances, and more. We also worked with a local Denver artist to make an awesome project together!
Monday: 2D Art
Campers started off the week with 2-dimensional art. First, we tried our hand at some photography! Campers used disposable cameras (a new skill for many!) to take photos of inspiring nature in the park for use in a project later in the week after the pictures get developed. 
Next, we made two kinds of chalk to use at camp and take home! We made bright colors of wet chalk paint out of cornstarch and food coloring to make a mural on the sidewalk in front of camp. We also made chalk out of paint and plaster to take home after it dried overnight. 
To wrap up our day, campers started work on an individual or group art piece. We talked about the process of making art, brainstorming ideas, and getting a start on our ideas and supply lists. 

Tuesday: Paper and Tree Art
As we moved into the 3-dimensional art world, we focused on trees as our source of inspiration! 
First, we each made our own unique painted hand print tree. While they dried, we used some actual tree "cookies" (slices of tree trunks) to make some ornaments. 
Next, campers thought about how trees are our main source of paper, so we made our own paper out of recycled paper from camp, and we spiced it up with some plant pieces and seeds we collected from around camp. Campers all got to make a unique piece of paper art!
We wrapped up our day by continuing the process of our group art pieces. Today, we started the construction process of our pieces!

Wednesday: Field Day
For field day this week, we stuck around Johnson Habitat park while we took a closer look at the plants, animals, river, and nonliving things there for more art inspiration! 
Campers went on an exploration hike, caught critters in the river and sketched pictures of what we saw, made nature sculptures, and played water games!

Thursday: Nature Art
We were very excited to welcome a local guest artist from Originateve today! Ron lead groups of campers through a project of making mini boats to float on the river, completely made of natural materials! Everyone learned new skills in knot tying, using tools, and construction!
Another craft campers made today was nature prints in plaster. First, we found items in nature and printed them in clay. Then, we poured wet plaster over the clay prints and let them dry!
Lastly, we worked in our teams to put our finishing touches on our group art projects, and got to present them to the other campers!

Friday: Written and Performance Art
To wrap up our week, we shifted our focus to written and performance art that is inspired by nature. 
First, we finished up our project that we started on Monday by using the photos we took to create a collage. 
Then, we worked on our art and acting skills by creating paper bag puppets, writing a skit, and putting on a show!
Next, campers went down to the river to catch some more critters, but not before writing some poetry inspired by the river and park!
Finally, we wrapped up our art week by having a graduation ceremony!