Nurture Creativity at Summer Day Camps

by Iris Carter

Summer vacation is a great time for kids to explore, have fun, stretch the imagination, and exercise creativity. Tenants and staff at The Creative Center are ready to provide a safe, affordable outlet with a variety of experiences for young people of all ages.

The Film Institute at The Creative Center is offering "Future Filmmakers' Summer Film Boot Camp" for ages 12-18. In a series of three week sessions, participants will learn media literacy, composition, camera use, sound, lighting, production, shooting, and editing. Choose any or all weeks to attend. Classes will be held from 9 am - 1 pm, Monday - Friday, June 11-15, June 18-22, and June 25-29.

"Spanish and Videomaking for Girls" is offered by Valeria Elliott. This summer camp will introduce girls ages 10-16 to technology and foreign language in fun and creative ways. During this interactive camp, girls will have the opportunity to develop an awareness and understanding of the world, explore technology and foreign language, and discover a connection to exciting cultures, people, and ideas. Classes will be held 9 am - 1 pm, Monday - Friday, July 9-13 and August 13-17.

Bridget Cutler-Fosque is offering "QMT Reading and Math Summer Camp" for children ages 4-6. Structured, engaging activities will stimulate, motivate, and educate children who will be immersed daily in Spanish, sign language, music, art, cooking, reading, and fun. Camp will be held 9 am - 1 pm (extended hours available), Monday - Friday, June 18-July 13.

"Camp Imagination," led by Margot Robinson and Candace Heckstall, is designed for children ages 7 - 12. Three sessions will be held from 9 am - 1 pm, Monday - Friday, June 18-22, July 9-13, and August 6-10. All sessions will follow the same agenda, with a different theme each day, including "Saving the Planet," "The President of the United States Has Called on You," "Every Hour is a Holiday," "What Time Period Would You Live In?" and "Loving Your Talents and Gifts."

Tracey Marshall and Heather Krupinski of Monet & Mod Podge are offering several camp sessions geared for children ages 7 - 12, which will be held from 9 am - 1 pm Monday - Friday. "Art and Craft" will be held June 11-15; "Intro to Art" will be held June 25-29; "Paint-Paint-Paint" July 2-6; and "Advanced Art" Aug. 13-17. A special camp invites parents or grandparents to bring little ones for a joint creative adventure. "Big Kid/Little Kid" is for ages 5-7, 8-12, and adults and will be held from 9 am - 12 pm, July 20-Aug. 3.

Technology Training Station is sponsoring two camps, Digital Photography Camp, and Adobe Photoshop Camp. These camps are for ages 10-16 and will teach the basic photographic concepts, and provide an introduction to Adobe Photoshop. Digital Photography will be held July 9-13, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., and Adobe Photoshop will be July 23-27, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Any child is certain to find inspiration among the variety of camps available at The Creative Center. Adults beware: children's creative energy is contagious, so exploring the center's other offerings is highly recommended!

For even more information about these camps, as well as registration info, click here to go to the Summer Camps webpage.

You are also welcome to click here for a printable catalog of all the summer camps being offered.

Hanging the Hall Walls with Artwork at The Creative Center

Executive Director, Susan Sassman lends a hand as Phyllis Sharpe and Alice Bachman hang art on the second floor of The Creative Center in February, 2012 Every other month finds us sorting through a hundred or so pieces of artwork--paintings, photography, sculpture, etc., to enhance the hallways of the second and third floors at The Creative Center. We volunteered our help for

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Donate for a chance to win a session at Two Egrets Media & Recording, donated by Mike Garrigan, performing Friday at 10pm

One lucky musician is about to go home with a four-hour recording session through Two Egrets Media & Recording. In conjunction with the fourth Showcase of Original Music Open Mic Night this Friday, May 18, we will be holding a drawing for just such a prize. Mike Garrigan, a long-time member of The Creative Center family, has donated the session as a part of our fundraising efforts.

The name of everyone who makes a donation to The Creative Center Friday night (or before Friday, if you aren't able to attend,) will be put into a drawing. Sometime during the second half of the evening's performances, a name will be drawn. The winner will be able to schedule a recording session right here in Greensboro.

Even if you're not a musician, if someone you care about is, this is a phenomenal opportunity to share something exciting with them. The photo seen here has been visible at various places around The Creative Center for several weeks now, but we hope to spread the word even more fully between now and Friday night. Please think of all the talented musicians you know in the Triad area (or who would be willing to travel to Greensboro for the session, should they win,) and let them know about this opportunity.

Click here for more information about this monthly Showcase of Original Music Open Mic night.

Mike Garrigan will play on Friday night at 10pm as one of our night's featured artists. Although he is a consistent favorite with music lovers within our community, we'd like to introduce you to this talented musician if you haven't yet had the pleasure of hearing him perform:

Bio:

Singer/songwriter Mike Garrigan began playing music professionally in 1993. On the NC coffee shop circuit, he wrote and developed the albums Building a Hole (1994) and The Lessons of Autumn (1996).

In 1997, he formed the band Collapsis and was signed to Cherry Entertainment/Universal Records shortly thereafter. In 2000, Collapsis released the critically acclaimed album Dirty Wake, featuring the #28 Modern Rock Billboard song "Automatic."

In 2001, Collapsis disbanded. Then, Mike joined up with NC natives Athenaeum and performed as a touring guitarist until 2004. In the interim, Mike released the Promise of Summer (2002) and an EP called MG4: Gravity Affects Me (2004).

In 2005, Mike recorded and released a solo acoustic show (on CD/DVD), Live at the Evening Muse. This sold-out show captures the kinship and fan-enthusiasm that is native to Mike's music and performances. Shows are less like shows and more like a gathering of old friends, who happen to "simply love Mike's music."

In 2007, Mike built a recording studio. His musical efforts shifted from mere performing to engineering, producing and developing upcoming artists. Two Egrets Media & Recording is booked almost every day of the week, www.twoegrets.com

In 2009, Mike returned to writing and recording his own music. Voyage of the Malamander is a stripped back album, a record that Mike refers to as his "creepy mandolin record." Consisting of vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass, and a tom-tom drum. Malamander is a stripped back set of well crafted tunes.

In 2011, Mike completed his fifth solo album, The Return of Spring. A sixth solo album is in the works for a fall 2012 release.

Mike also enjoys writing songs for television, commercials, and movies.

Streaming Music:

The Return of Spring
Voyage of the Malamander
Live at the Evening Muse

YouTube clips:

Another Day in Paradise
Rusted Radio

Websites:

www.mikegarrigan.com
www.twoegrets.com