The arts programs at TMI play a critical role in the development of the whole child. Through technical visual development and critical thinking skills we foster the students' own ideas and self-expression. Campers are deeply involved in the creative process by working out problems using a variety of  media. Part of this effort is to offer excellent summer art camps and programs to the community.

Unlike other art camps, our campers get the benefit of being served a nutritious lunch, swim time, and use of other facilities on campus.  We strive to nurture their inner artist and beg it to come out to play. This is an environment where your camper can practice being expressive and go hog wild. So having fun is one of our primary goals!

For general information on all our summer programs please click here.

SESSION 1
June 15 - 18 (4-day session, no camp on Friday the 19th) 

Registration: $295

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

• Museum explorers, meet the Masters!
  Grades: 1st - 3rd
  Who says fine art can't be messy fun? Designed for our littlest creators, this camp turns art history into a hands-on playground where kids can splash like Pollock, swirl like Van Gogh, and draw like Picasso! We focus on the joy of the process rather than perfection, giving children the freedom to play with paint and discover their own inner genius while learning about the world's most famous artists. 

Artwork Samples

• Under the sea explorers
  Grades: 1st - 3rd
  Get ready to make a splash in this hands-on aquatic adventure! In this camp, our youngest artists will dive deep into the blue to create their very own underwater world. Our camp specialist will guide little explorers as they get their hands messy with air-dry clay to sculpt realistic starfish, sea shells, and bumpy coral reefs. We’ll also experiment with flowy watercolor techniques to create shimmering, wave-like paintings that look just like the moving ocean. From building 3D sea creatures to painting the colors of the coast, it’s the perfect camp for kids who love the beach and getting creative with cool textures!

Artwork Samples

• Botanical Masters: petals & pigments
  Grades: 5th - 8th
  Level up your art by diving deep into the delicate details of the natural world! In this studio-based camp, we move beyond basic painting to study the amazing anatomy of flowers, leaves, and fungi. We’ll master professional techniques like wet-on-dry layering for crisp edges and precision glazing to create lifelike depth. Whether you're painting the intricate veins of a leaf or the soft glow of a petal, you’ll learn how to mix colors and build textures that make your botanical art look like it’s growing right off the page!

Artwork Samples

• Zoo-tography: safari expedition
  Grades: 5th - 8th
  It’s a jungle out there! In this creative expedition, campers learn the basics of photography by using realistic animal figurines to stage their own wild nature documentaries. We’ll teach them how to photograph their toy tigers and elephants up-close to make them look larger than life. Using these photos as inspiration, they will explore framing, focus, and lighting. Campers will return home with professional prints of their creations.

Artwork Samples

• The clay Studio: sculpt & create
  Grades: 3rd - 5th
  Get ready to squish, shape, and bring your imagination to life! In this "variety-pack" studio, we aren’t sticking to just one thing, we’re exploring everything clay can do. Each day features a new project, from crafting tiny realistic snacks, to sculpting your own favorite animals and "desk buddy" creatures. We’ll even design boutique-style jewelry plates and patterned trinket dishes to hold your treasures. Campers will learn all the best tricks for smoothing, texturing, and painting air-dry clay to make every project look professional. If you can imagine it, you can sculpt it!

Artwork Samples

SESSION 2

June 22 - 26

Registration: $295

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

• Paper explosion: the art of making
  Grades: 5th - 8th
  Are you ready for the most colorful, crafty, and hands-on week ever? At Paper Explosion, we discover that paper is magic, art, and pure fun! Campers will watch paper transform into fabulous designs as they master origami folds, create vibrant paper flowers, and explore the intricate world of paper quilling.
  Throughout the week, we’ll decorate custom decoupage boxes and frames, use stamps to design unique patterns, and even build hand-bound books. It’s a week of activating imaginations and keeping busy hands happy, ending with a collection of beautiful, handmade treasures to take home!
  Artwork Samples
  
  12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  
  

• Landscape travelers
  Grades: 3rd - 5th
  Pack your brushes and get ready to travel the world without ever leaving the studio! In this high-energy acrylic painting camp, we’re heading on a global art safari. We’ll use vibrant paints to capture the "wow" factor of nature; from glowing tropical sunsets and misty mountain peaks to hidden underwater reefs. You’ll learn how to mix the perfect colors, use "secret" brush tricks to paint trees and clouds, and master the art of making your canvas look three-dimensional. It’s a color-filled adventure for any artist who loves big views and even bigger brushstrokes!