Courtesy of Beth Bando Bontley
Students in the improv class at Stage West participate in the Be a Tree exercise.
For many young people, summer break is synonymous with an activity treasured by many generations: camp.
Though many programs have been canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some organizations, especially those focusing on education in theater and the arts, have made adjustments to continue serving the Fort Worth community.
Stage West Theatre is one such example. Staff worked to create a virtual camp experience because they wanted to keep the children creatively engaged and safe.
“When life turns you upside down on your head, you have a different viewpoint,” says Stage West education director Beth Bando Bontley.
Bontley says the importance of theater to youth lies in its ability to spark inside them confidence and curiosity, to shape them into creative problem solvers who have excellent communication skills, and to help them develop meaningful relationships.
Here are some places offering art camps this summer.
1. Art Room
Art Room is a local nonprofit that aims to educate underrepresented youth and adults about the arts.
This summer, Art Room is offering a variety of summer camps for children ages 5 – 17. During June, July, and August, youth can improve their skills in areas such as drawing, bookmaking, painting, weaving, and even yoga.
Each camp lasts three hours a day for a week.
To view a full list of summer camps or register, visit this website.
Art Room
120 St. Louis Ave., Ste. 117
682-250-3128
2. Casa Mañana
Casa Mañana offers camps for both younger and older children.
Camp Casa Junior is tailored to 4 – 8-year-olds, who have the opportunity to act, sing, dance, and make crafts. The July session focuses on “Finding Nemo,” and the one in August focuses on “Aladdin.”
For 8 – 14-year-old children, Casa Mañana holds Camp Casa, which is being held July 6 – 10. This year’s theme is "Seussical Jr: The Musical," and participants will spend their time rehearsing for the show and taking acting, singing, and dancing classes.
To register or find more information about the Casa Mañana camps, visit its website.
Casa Mañana
3101 Lancaster Ave.
817-332-2272
3. Kimbell Art Museum
The Kimbell Art Museum has three workshops taking place in July.
The first is Cut, Folded, Frayed: Experiments with Paper. This is a free, two-hour session in which participants will be able to create their own artwork. No reservations are required, and all materials are provided.
The second is designed for children ages 4 – 6 and an adult partner. In Pictures and Pages, a free story-time program, participants will read King Mouse, written by Cary Fagan and illustrated by Dena Seiferling.
The third offering is a two-hour workshop created for children ages 6 – 12 and their adult partners. In Sculpting with Eye-Popping Color, participants will get to explore the gallery and have activities in the studio. The cost for this program varies based on membership status and the number of sessions selected.
To read more about these programs, visit the Kimbell’s website.
Kimbell Art Museum
3333 Camp Bowie Blvd.
817-332-8451
4. Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
The Modern’s summer events are all virtual and created with the materials people might have at home in mind.
In Being There: Drawing from the Collection for Children, local artists will lead viewers in making an informal project inspired from works included in the museum’s galleries. There is also a video exercise available for adults.
For people wanting a different kind of educational experience, the Modern has created a Slow Art Tour in which people can watch docents talk about a piece of art at the museum.
To see a schedule of events, visit the website.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
3200 Darnell St.
817-738-9215
5. Stage West Theatre
Stage West has created three virtual camps — Behind the Curtain: Theatre Design Class for children aged 8 – 13, Musical Theatre: Broadway Bound for youth ages 9 – 14, and TikTok: The Camp for people ages 11 – 14.
Each camp lasts several days, and each session lasts about an hour. There are two sessions each day for the design and musical camps, though participants can choose whether to enroll in only one or both.
In addition, Stage West is planning to have an in-person summer conservatory, which runs three weeks in July and is created for 14 – 19-year-olds. In this program, participants will learn about the art and business aspects of theater, including acting techniques, auditioning, and improvisation. They will also have a professional photo shoot.
To register and learn more, visit Stage West's website.
Stage West Theatre
821/823 W. Vickery Blvd.
817-784-9378
