This Camp Lets Young Artists Explore Their Imagination

With Poway Unified School District campuses closed next week, you may be looking for something your child can do. Rather than watch television or play video games, Poway-based offers an "art camp" for children eager to get creative.

“They’re very popular,” said founder Bonnie Stromer. “We try to work with the school schedules because so many schools have different schedules around here.”

Sisters Katie, 12, and Lauren, 8, have been Xpressive Arts Center campers for more than two years.

The girls were at the center on Sunday creating new crafts. Stromer also helped Lauren paint and decorate a chair she planned to donate to her school’s auction fundraiser.

“Nobody can tell you what you have to do,” said Lauren. “You can just choose what you want to do. There’s no right or wrong. If you mess up, you can always start over or make it into something else.”

At art camp, Stromer allows her campers to choose what they want to do.

“We really start with where the child’s interest lies,” she explained. “They do what they’re interested in. We give them lots of options to help them develop their creativity and imagination.”

Xpressive Arts Center is offering an art camp this Friday where children will be able to work on projects for Valentine’s Day. Campers can choose to create cards, jewelry, a V-Day pen, stained glass and more.

“I’m always on the lookout for new stuff,” Stromer said. “I try to get things that will be blank canvases. They love making their own thing.”

Since coming to Xpressive Arts Center, Katie and Lauren have created a number of different pieces, including drawings, paintings, jewelry and masks.

“You get to be creative and there’s no rules,” Katie said. “It’s not ‘draw a line.’ You can draw a squiggly line. You can draw polka dots. You can be creative and draw your own thing.”

Both girls have also grown very fond of “Ms. Bonnie.”

“She’s really nice and she helps you do things that may be hard when you do art,” Lauren said.

Katie added that Stromer is really supportive.

“She understands each and every kid,” Katie said. “She knows them well. It’s nice to have her as a teacher.”

Each art camp is usually capped at 10 children, Stromer said, to offer a small class size and personalized instruction.

“They get to really develop their skills and their interest that way,” Stromer said.

Katie said she enjoys creating art when she’s happy, but also when she’s upset.

“Art lets you be creative and not be afraid to show your feelings,” she said. “You don’t have to hide in a shell; you can open up.”

Stromer, who is also a registered art therapist, added that art is a great way for children, as well as adults, to express themselves.

“Whenever you’re being creative, it helps you learn more about the world and about yourself,” Stromer said.

Xpressive Arts Center will offer vacation arts camp on Feb. 11, Feb.14-18 and Feb. 21. Prices vary from $30 to $50 per camper depending on the length of their stay. Campers can come from 9 a.m. to noon or 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Campers can stay until 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Last weekend, Xpressive Arts Center was featured on Groupon, which triggered more than 500 hits on Stromer’s website. If you missed the weekend offer, however, special discounts are still available for siblings. Regular campers can also bring a friend and get half off one camp day.

For more about Xpressive Arts Center, visit www.xpressivearts.com.