Summer Arts at SoVA
Summer Arts Camps
at the School of Visual Arts
2025 Summer Arts Camps Cancelled
We regret to announce that Summer Arts Camps at the School of Visual Arts have been cancelled for the 2025 season. We apologize for this inconvenience.
Immersive Arts Experiences
Our Summer Arts at SoVA (SAAS) camps are explorative, fun programs for high school students in grades 9–12.
Highlights
Camps are Monday through Friday, day-long, culminating in a group exhibition and Creamery ice-cream reception at Zoller Gallery, featuring all campers, and open to the public, on each Friday. Camps provide instruction, supervision, all art supplies needed, and tons of fun and creativity. Field trips to the Palmer Museum of Art and the Arboretum are planned. Campers will also receive a certificate of completion.
Program Details
- Session #1: Cancelled
- Session #2: Cancelled
- Cost: $500 (Fee is per camper, per session and includes instruction, supervision, and field trips; note: campers must bring their own lunch.)
- Participants: 15 per camp (Students can register for a single camp in each session.)
- Registration: Closed
Four Fantastic Arts Camps
Make Your Mark! An Exploration of Printmaking
Campers will make their mark, creating multiple unique artworks using a variety of printmaking methods! As we delve into the magic of different printmaking techniques, we will also experiment with color, texture, and composition. Additionally, campers will find artistic inspiration through visits to both the Palmer Museum of Art and the Arboretum. The last day of camp includes a gallery show of each camper’s artwork, at Penn State’s Zoller Gallery, where family and friends are encouraged to attend!
Nature’s Palette: A Journey in Observational Painting
This week-long summer camp invites young artists to explore the world of painting through observation, imagination, and connection with nature. Guided by visits to the Arboretum and the Palmer Museum of Art, students will develop one cohesive painting over five days – learning foundational techniques in color mixing, composition, and artistic expression. Each session is designed to nurture creativity, deepen visual awareness, and build confidence through thoughtful, hands-on practice. The week will conclude with a celebratory exhibition of student work.
Drawing Essentials
These young artists will spend the week exploring the basics of drawing, such as composition, markmaking, shading and value, perspective, gesture and simple anatomy. The camp will focus on working with dry media like graphite and charcoal, on paper - the best way to develop as an artist is to draw, draw, draw! Sessions will also include visits to the Palmer Museum of Art and the Arboretum for inspiration and study. The camp will culminate with an exhibit of student work in Zoller Gallery.
Playing with Art!
Dive into laughter and creativity at "Playing with Art!" This sculpture-based camp is all about fun, silly art adventures, where you'll get hands-on with wacky projects like creating your very own custom bobbleheads! Through a variety of playful activities and games, we'll explore the joy of artistic expression ending with a Gallery Exhibition. We'll also venture out for visits to the Palmer Museum of Art and the Penn State Arboretum. So, bring a change of your messiest clothes and come play with art.