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SALT LAKE CITY — Now that school is out for the summer, many parents may be dreading trying to keep their children entertained and also trying to figure out ways to keep them learning.
Stimulate your child's imagination and avoid that dreaded summer boredom by engaging them in creative art opportunities. Here are 13 local events for you to check out to increase your child's enjoyment of visual arts this summer.
The Utah Museum of Fine Arts' Third Saturdays program for families is being held at the museum on the campus of the University of Utah, even though the galleries are closed until Aug. 26 for remodeling. As the name implies, the classes are held the third Saturday of each month and run from 1-4 p.m. The classes are first come, first serve and are free, as is parking at the U. on Saturdays.
Design Week at BYU will be held from Aug. 14 through 19 for 15- to 18-year-old emerging artists. This overnight camp for graphic designers, illustrators and photographers culminates in a gallery show at the end of the week. The summer Jumpst(art) classes for younger children are currently full, but there is room in the fall schedule.
Would your young Michaelangelo enjoy sculpting alabaster? Check out the sculpting class at UVU for teens 15 years old and up. And watch for the art classes for next summer — hurry, because they fill up quickly!
The SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem offers classes in pottery, painting and more for children 6 to 17 years old. Classes in Egyptian art and other art around the world make cultural, creative learning fun. Check the website for the class times and registration.
Visit Shley Kinser's The Story of the Fox and the Owl exhibit through the end of June at the George S. & Dolores Dóre Eccles Gallery at 1575 State St. in Salt Lake City. The exhibit is sponsored by Salt Lake Community College and admission is free.
The Utah Arts Festival is celebrating 20 years of "bring the kids" art, an event geared toward children. The festival starts Thursday, June 22, and runs through Sunday, June 25, from noon to 11 p.m. at Library Square at 400 South and 200 East in Salt Lake City. There are dozens of hands-on activities, and children under 12 get free admission.
Weber State University hosts a series of weeklong Arts in the Park activities across Ogden throughout the summer. Every day there are different creative opportunities for children in parks Ogden. Be sure to check out the offerings of UMOCA and its traveling Art Truck.
The Salt Lake Art Academy offers classes in a wide variety of media and practices. Look over the varied curriculum that ranges from drawing, printmaking, dinosaur building and more. Scholarships are available as well. Check the website for more details and times.
The Clever Octopus in Murray is hosting "colorful and messy" art summer camps for children. They include kite-making, spin art and battle armour-creating. They look like lots of fun and are free!
Salt Lake County has an incredible ZAP Summer Passport Program for children that includes activities such as arts and crafts, multicultural events, theater tours and an end-of-summer activity at the Clark Planetarium. Passports can be picked up at county libraries.
Bad Dog Arts has a full schedule of classes and camps that cover topics ranging from 2-D and 3-D monster-making to iconic women, wild things and Shel Silverstein-inspired art.
There are also many local opportunities in your hometown which can easily be found searching online, such as Hands On Art 4 Everyone in Farmington and the Knox Academy in Kaysville.
When you would rather stay in and create, check out drawing tutorials on YouTube (parents, be sure to preview them first to make sure the content is appropriate for your child's age and interests). You can also take children to local galleries and museums and always take a sketchbook and drawing supplies on road trips to help entertain your children and keep that creative spark alive this summer.
What other art classes and academies do you recommend for children? Let us know in the comments.
