This past summer, after a two-year hiatus, the museum welcomed young artists back to the museum for Summer Camp! In this second feature of a two-part series, we’re taking a moment to look back on the Preteen Intensive: Ways of Knowing, a new offering for youth, ages 11-13, to dive into works in the museum’s galleries and garden and spark their own creative projects.
With the Ways of Knowing as our guide, teaching artists and camp staff developed artwork visits, gallery games, and lessons for our campers to explore how artists and curious minds employ the five senses, emotion, memory, reason, and imagination in their work. Campers took part in “Studio Fundamentals” sessions centered on skill-building in drawing, painting, and sculpture. With this groundwork in place, campers were invited to reflect upon their own ways of knowing to spark a “conversation” with a NOMA artwork through an independent project.
Take a closer look at a handful of favorite memories from the preteen intensive!
Above, Emma is pictured experimenting with layering techniques using collage and stamping, inspired by Robert Rauschenberg’s Melic Meeting.
Emma writes, “I was really inspired by the scale and colors. I feel like I am very inspired by places I want to go in the future and places that I have spent time in including New Orleans, so I wanted to base my collage on these ideas. My “ways of knowing” are influenced by New Orleans culture, traveling, and being colorful!”
Robert Rauschenberg (American, 1925–2008), Melic Meeting (Spread), 1979, Solvent transfer, acrylic, fabric, and collage on wood panels with mirror, Gift of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, partial gift in honor of Dora Rauschenberg, and Museum purchase with funds provided by The Helis Foundation, 2013.20
Gianna working from a still life constructed in the studio.
Check out some snapshots of our end of Summer Camp Showcase!
