From sculpting pinch pots and coil pots to sketching the buildings surrounding FLX Unity Center, campers spent the first week of summer enrichment programming trying new things and supporting one another’s creativity along the way. 

Week one of the eight-week program kicked off with Fine Arts Camp, a natural fit for EPIC Zone Geneva and FLX Unity Center Director Allauna Overstreet-Gibson, who brings her own background in fine arts to the role. 

“Throughout the week, participants stepped outside of their comfort zones while building confidence, learning new artistic techniques, and expressing themselves in exciting new ways,” Overstreet-Gibson said. 

Youth explored a variety of artistic mediums, including:

• Intro to Drawing: Learning basic lines, shapes, perspective, and three-dimensional drawing while practicing observational sketching outdoors.
• Sculpting: Creating pinch pots, coil sculptures, and original clay creations using foundational hand-building techniques.
• Painting: Following step-by-step acrylic painting lessons while adding their own creative flair and personal style.

To wrap up the week, a field trip to Corning Museum of Glass allowed campers to view live glassblowing demonstrations and explore interactive exhibits showcasing the history, science, and artistry of glassmaking from around the world.

Looking ahead, they hope to create their own unique glass project to take home next summer.

“The trip perfectly complemented our fine arts theme by exposing participants to a professional art form many had never experienced before. It sparked curiosity, inspired creativity, and gave our youth a greater appreciation for the time, skill, and imagination involved in artistic expression,” she says. 

Fine Arts Camp was just the beginning. Stay tuned as FLX Unity Center’s summer enrichment programming continues week by week.