U.Va. Art Museum to Present Works of Summer Arts Academy Participants

Children working on art projects

Summer Arts

Aug. 7, 2007 -- The Summer Arts Academy at the University of Virginia Art Museum recently offered young artists the chance to explore art through studio workshops, community electives and special presentations. The program serves 30 students during each two-week session and 20 students during a one-week advanced academy. Approximately half of the students receive needs-based scholarships.

A selection of works created by Summer Arts participants will be on display the week of Aug. 12-19. The exhibition opens with a reception on Sunday, Aug. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. In addition to two- and three-dimensional art works, the exhibition features student films and music. 

Youth in Sessions I & II (two-week sessions held in July) pursued art-making activities in both individual and group project sessions. They visited the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection and observed a special performance by visiting didjeridu artist Master Ash Dargan. Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Paul Wagner presented his Academy Award-winning documentary short film "The Stone Carvers" and taught students a few basics of filmmaking. They explored the museum’s special exhibitions focusing on Mesoamerican and African American art. Young artists were given the choice of a filmmaking or music elective and visited two community partner facilities, Computers 4 Kids and the Music Resource Center, to create their final elective pieces .

Following the success of last year’s first Advanced Academy, Summer Arts again offered a one-week program designed for rising sixth- through 12th-grade students who have a serious interest in studio art. The days began with morning drawing exercises followed by staff presentations introducing artists, art periods and influences on their personal artistic pursuits and interests. The day included a morning technical studio and an afternoon series studio. The technical studio focused on introducing artistic skills, such as shape, color, texture and perspective, used in painting and drawing. The series studio allowed the individual to pursue a self-defined body of work. Because the program admits fewer students, the Advanced Academy provides more individualized direction from art educators.

Summer Arts is made possible with the generous support of Thomas L. Piper Jr. Education Endowment, MSW Foundation, BAMA Works Fund, Virginia National Bank, Chi Phi Fraternity, Whole Foods and the museum’s Holiday Art Auction.

For information about the exhibition or Summer Arts, contact Stacey Evans, Summer Arts manager, at (434) 243-2050 or at summerarts@virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia Art Museum is open to the public without charge Tuesday-Sunday 1-5 p.m.  Parking is available off Bayly Drive and, on weekends only, in the lot across the street next to Madison Bowl.

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