Campers delve into a range of comic book/graphic novel storytelling methods, including autobiographical, straight fiction, manga, superhero, and crime. From scriptwriting and storyboarding to penciling and inking in every style imaginable, we explore how artists’ creative choices affect the way the story is understood while working on the technical skills of drawing comic panels. Comic Books & Graphic Novels concludes with campers bringing home work they created.

Campers create mood, concept, and inspiration boards then focus on illustrations of their own ideas for clothes. Campers develop images of a three-piece collection of their own original designs. This camp focuses on the creative process and illustration behind fashion design; it does not include garment construction or sewing technique. Fashion Illustration concludes with campers bringing home the work they created.

Have you ever wondered how a cartoon is made? We create our own hilarious comic, put together a graphic story, and then turn it into a fun flip book that provides the optical illusion of movement—bringing your story and characters to life. Flip-O-Rama concludes with campers bringing home the work they created.

Campers focus their work on learning horror stage makeup techniques to transform into characters from haunted houses. They learn to give themselves the illusion of cuts, bruises, and scars, and create monster and zombie characters. They use latex, bruise wheels, stage blood, and highlight/shadow techniques and their own face as a canvas. Horror Makeup concludes with families receiving a digital link to their camper's transformations sent the week following camp.

Campers who love to play LEGO video games are inspired by this opportunity to learn and apply stop motion techniques to their love of LEGO. We develop simple stories in two-person teams, envision and build a LEGO cast and “set,” and then learn and practice stop motion to tell our stories entirely out of LEGO. Legomation concludes with families receiving a digital link of their camper's work sent the week following camp. Art and technology supplies and equipment use included in price.

Experiment with a range of organic and structure patterns using ancient techniques and cool new materials. We piece together images using blocks of color in a variety of media, such as paper, tissue, found objects, leaves, bark, and stone. Using this technique, students create beautiful wall hangings as well as personal items like boxes and picture frames that express their view of the world around them. Mostly Mosaics concludes with campers bringing home the work they created.

Young writers and illustrators learn the art of creating picture books. Campers brainstorm characters and their own special illustration style to create their own stories. Picture Books 101 concludes with campers bringing home the work they created.

Sculpting is more than creating structures that can last forever. It's also about the clays that are used to create these sculptures. Campers learn to use salt, paper, and cornstarch-based clays to build sculptures that belong in museums around the world. Sculpting with Clay concludes with campers bringing home the work they created.

Campers learn to use real people or stop motion armatures to create magical illusions using the craft of stop motion animation. Animations include stop motion dances with impossible leaps, magic tricks that defy probability, comedic silent shorts, and “hovering“ animations. Stop Motion Classics concludes with families receiving a digital link of their camper's work sent the week following camp. Art and technology supplies and equipment use included in price.

Young illustrators explore the vastly different illustration styles in popular children’s books by Maurice Sendak, Eric Carle, and Lane Smith, using them as a jumping off point to create illustrations of their own! Campers create art in pencil, watercolor, tempera, collage, and chalk—all inspired by their favorite stories. We learn about the role of the illustrator as we create artwork that tells a story. Young Illustrator concludes with campers bringing home the work they created.

Working in COCA's outdoor spaces, we create chalk drawings using pastels and traditional chalks, explore chalk rubbings, and even make chalk. Campers collaboratively create our own outdoor masterpieces to inspire fellow campers and their families coming to and from our building. Chalk Art concludes with campers bringing home the work they created. This camp primarily takes place in an outdoor studio in COCA’s courtyard but will move indoors as weather requires.

Calling all artists and animal lovers. Young artists focus on drawing canine friends and raise awareness of animals in shelters. Campers also take a field trip to Saint Louis County Pet Adoption to draw some furry friends in person. Art for Paws concludes with campers bringing home the work they created. Camp price includes field trip.

Campers draw, paint, and print using diverse materials and techniques. We explore each of these disciplines while looking to master artists as inspiration for their work. We create several pieces of art in each area—drawing, painting, and printmaking—adding imagination and creativity to make our own personal masterpieces. Draw Paint Print concludes with campers bringing home the work they created.

Campers use sew and "no sew" techniques to transform basic or found clothing into enchanting combinations worthy of a princess. Add a floor length skirt or fancy wrap and embellish your clothes with gems, beads, and trim. Add accessories to style your outfit and share your transformation on the final day of camp.

Barbie can do anything, and so can you! Become your own fashion designer and create new looks for Barbie and her friends. Learn how to draw croquis and the basics of fashion design. Campers then put their new skills to the test and bring their designs to life. Let's Go Barbie concludes with campers bringing home the work they created.