Patrick Amiot and Meryl Juniper, with their long history of being Sonoma County ReUse Artists, collaborated on a super fun ReUse Arts Exploration.

After an inspirational field trip to Patrick’s Sebastopol studio, campers learned how one person’s trash is the other’s treasure.

During this week, campers created High Relief Frames and Pictures, DriftWood Animals and Mosaic Wall Hangings, all made with found materials.

During Kelp Forest Mural, children learned about the kelp forests through exploring seaweed and kelp from our local beaches. Children collaborated on planned color schemes and placed objects onto plywood followed by priming and painting the background, foreground and details in the mural. Instructed by Amanda Hopkins.

During Instrumental Textiles, Campers engaged in playing instruments from all over the world to create a group atmosphere of cooperation and communication. They explored the materials that the instruments are made from and where the materials come from. Children also created small weavings from upcycled textiles. Instructed by Tina Wells.

During Ecotopia, campers utilized art as a means of expression with the earth in mind; building with recycled materials and nature finds like lichen, seaweed, seashells and petals.

Some of the projects included: Jackson Pollock inspired Splatter Painting with Recycled House Paint, making paper machẽ masks that explore identity with recycled materials, and creating mixed media paintings infused with materials from nature. Instructed by Amanda Hopkins.

Eco-Clay Play, for children who enjoy the satisfaction of creating something with their own hands. The course covered the basics of wheel throwing, pinch pots, coil, and sculpture with recycled clay. Campers had special projects (animal sculptures, pet bowls, secret boxes) as well as unstructured time to work and play. The goal of this course is for youth to gain confidence in their ability to imagine something and then build it! Instructed by Colleen Walsh.