Children can participate in drawing, painting, theater activities from June 17-20

PHOTO COURTESY ANNA MULLIS/WORCESTER COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL
Paper Mache creations made by campers are featured as part of the Worcester County Arts Coun- cil’s Summer Arts Camp. Sessions will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 17-20 at Berlin Interme- diate School on Franklin Avenue in Berlin.

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(June 6, 2019) Children will have the opportunity to express themselves creatively during the Worcester County Arts Council’s 26th Summer Arts Camp later this month.

“[There]’s such a need for art programs and cultural things for children, and we found out that it would be very important for us to offer those types of activities during the summer,” said Anna Mullis, the council’s executive director.

The camp will take place from June 17-20 at Berlin Intermediate School on Franklin Avenue in Berlin. Sessions will start at 9 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. each day.

Mullis said children entering third grade to eighth grade are eligible to participate. About 75 children attended last year’s camp, she said.

The camp costs $110, with an additional $15 fee for bus transportation to and from Pocomoke and Snow Hill.

The registration deadline is June 7. Visit the Worcester County Art Council’s website to fill out the registration form, which can be submitted via email (if the tuition is paid via credit card) at curator@worcestercountyartscouncil.org, or at the organization’s facility on 6 Jefferson St. in Berlin.

Mullis praised the area’s educational art programs and said some Worcester County teachers would serve as instructors during the camp. She also stressed the need for accessibility to these arts-related activities all year long.

“Art education is extremely important any time of the year,” she said. Even during the school [year], after school and during the summer … we believe that we need to continue it.

Mullis said offering a variety of programs helps keep campers interested. She children can choose from eight visual and performing arts classes.

“We have a lot of children that come back year after year and they’re looking for something different,” Mullis said.

The classes range from drawing to painting to musical theater, but it’s the new “Arts and Crafts for Hawaiian Luau,” class that Mullis said is extremely popular.

Mullis said a camp like is a safe space that allows children to build their artistic confidence and express themselves in a creative way.

“It opens their minds, and they’re always so proud of they creation whatever they make it’s just wonderful to see,” Mullis said.

At the end of the camp, Mullis said there’s a giant art show where the campers will display their creations. Those enrolled in musical theater will also perform.

Those interested in volunteering can submit an application to the council’s gallery on Jefferson Street, or contact Mullis at anna@worcestercountyartscouncil.org.

For more information about the summer camp, visit the Worcester County Arts Council’s website at worcestercountyartscouncil.org/index.php/site/summercamp/.