It’s all about art this summer at local art galleries.

Summer art camps are run at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) in Bowmanville, Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) in Oshawa and Station Gallery in Whitby. However, in Whitby, the camps are so popular, they are already fully booked and there’s a waiting list.

However, RMG and VAC have great choices too, this summer.

“Our programs are offered half-days for children ages 5 to 12 and one full-day camp for children who are between 12 and 14 years old,” said Jennifer Treleaven, education co-ordinator for RMG. “Each week is a themed week, ranging from the traditions of drawing and painting to our Fantasy Fun Week.”

The camp instructor is education assistant Lizette Storey, who has a fine arts degree. Working with her will be summer student Rachel Dawson, who is studying fine arts and art history in university.

Oshawa morning programs run from 10 a.m. to noon, afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. Cost is $65 for members, $75 for non-members.
 

Programs for ages 5 to 8 at RMG are as follows:
    -- Draw, Paint, Print, Sculpt 1, July 7 to 11, mornings
    -- Fantasy Fun Week, July 14 to 18, mornings or afternoons
    -- Drawing and Painting, July 28 to Aug. 1, mornings
    -- Sculpture, Aug. 11 to 15, mornings
    -- Land, Ocean, Space, Aug. 18 to 22, mornings
    -- Draw, Paint, Print, Sculpt II, Aug. 25 to 29, mornings.
  

Programs for ages 9 to 12 are:
    -- Draw, Paint, Print and Sculpt 1, July 7 to 11, afternoons
    -- Drawing and Painting, July 28 to Aug. 1, afternoons
    -- Sculpture, Aug. 11 to 15, afternoons
    -- Animation, Aug. 18 to 22, afternoons
    -- Draw, Paint, Print, Sculpt II, Aug. 25 to 29, afternoons
   -- An Artist’s Studio, July 21 to 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $125 members, $135 non-members

Other summer arts programs are: Summer Sculptures, ages 5 to 8, Saturdays from July 12 to 26, afternoons, $40/$50; Experimental Art, ages 9 to 12, Saturdays Aug. 9 to 23, afternoons, $30/$40: Painting Workshop, ages 12 to 14, Saturdays Aug. 10 to 24, afternoons, $30/$40; Drawing and Painting Portraits, ages 14 to 19, Thursdays Aug. 7 to 28, 3 to 5 p.m., $60/$70.

You can get registration information at 905-576-3000 or at www.rmg.on.ca.

t VAC, there’s painting, drawing, pottery crafts and drama with plenty of outside activities, action and games. For the little ones, ages 4 to 7, there are half- or full-day options. Each morning, students are taught by professional, working artists. In the afternoon, the children explore art projects with a healthy helping of outdoor activity under the supervision of summer camp staff. Five-day camps are $125 per week for non-members and $115 for members.

-- Young Uns 1 and 2, July 2 to 4, ages 4-7, 1 to 4 p.m., or 9 a.m. to noon, $37.50 non-members, $27.50 members (half days)
    -- Young Uns 3, 4, July 28 to Aug. 1, $62.50 non-members, $52.50 members (half days)
    -- The Little Pottery Camp -- Aug. 25 to 29, ages 4-7, 9 a.m. to noon, or 1-4 p.m., $62.50 non-members, $52.50 members (half days.)
    -- Pottery Camp 1, July 7 to 11, ages 7-11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    -- Basic painting and drawing, July 14 to 18, ages 7-11, 9-4
    -- Crafts Around the World, July 21 to 25, ages 7-11, 9-4
    -- Drama Camp, Aug. 4 to 8, ages 7-12, 9-4
    -- Pottery Camp 2, ages 7-11, 9-4
    -- Botany and Bugs, Aug. 18-22, ages 7-11, 9-4

For more information, contact the Visual Arts Centre, 143 Simpson Ave., 905-623-5831, visual@vac.ca, www.vac.ca.