Oxbow Summer Art Camp

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Choice Camps Recommendation of Oxbow Summer Art Camp

The Oxbow Summer Art Camp is a unique experience for teens age 14-16 who love art and are eager to develop their skills. Campers are exposed to a professional level of instruction in a variety of mediums and have the opportunity to design and create their own projects. Campers return home with concrete evidence of their progress and the realization that they are capable of making great art. In addition to lots of studio time, Oxbow campers will enjoy plenty of other activities including recreation, athletics, field trips, fabulous meals, surprise visits, and personal time for making art with their friends.

Throughout the summer, each camper’s creativity is nurtured, explored, and developed. Students come away from the program inspired by what they've seen and learned, with enhanced art skills, a circle of like-minded, like-hearted, artist friends, and a personally significant piece of work.

Program Description

Oxbow Summer Art Camp focuses on creating project-based art in a wide variety of media. Taught by professional artists and teachers, campers spend their first week exploring fundamentals in drawing, painting, sculpture, fabrication and photography, to find and develop their own particular interests and creativity.

Students are exposed to a wide variety of artistic styles and different artists’ work. Students regularly engage in discussions on why artists create and where they find their inspiration. Students then propose a “final project” in the medium of their choice around a topic that has personal relevance to them. The remainder of the session is devoted to working in the studio to bring that piece to life. Along the way, students are taught the steps of the artistic process from idea to creation, peer feedback, reflection, and writing about their process. Students then present their piece for public viewing.

Mediums offered include drawing, painting, illustration, sculpture, photography, fabrication & installation, and media/computer arts.

Staff Overview

Drawn from the Bay Area’s rich community of artists, teachers, college art students, and Oxbow alumni, the Summer Program teachers bring new meaning to the term “summer art camp.” Many Oxbow counselors are all drawn from their pool of previous semester students who have since gone on to pursue their art education at art colleges around the country. All counselors are at least 20 years old.

Dorm counselors, also known as “art angels” serve as friends and advisors for campers. Dorm counselors also insure that camp rules are followed and that students are healthy and safe and getting the most from their experience at Oxbow.

Setting & Accommodations

Campers are housed in dormitory suites that have 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms, a common area, and laundry facilities. There are typically 2-4 students per room and a dorm counselor assigned to each suite.

Safety Standards

All Oxbow staff members are trained in CPR and First Aid. In the event of a more serious illness or emergency, a hospital is located just two miles from camp.