Under the Big Top

Mon.-Fri., June 22-26

Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Location: On campus: Art A 23 & 24

Age: 5-13

Cost: $350, plus $135 for optional Before/After Studio School program (8-9 a.m. & 3-5 p.m.)

Step right up! This week transforms into a colorful circus full of creativity, imagination, and hands-on art making.

Young artists ages 5-13 will explore a variety of art materials while creating their own circus world from playful characters and animal puppets to miniature circus tents and storybook illustrations. Campers will experiment with painting, sculpture, mixed media, and storytelling while designing their own carnival-inspired creations.

Throughout the week, artists will build a collection of circus-themed projects and collaborate with friends to bring their imaginative “big top” scenes to life. From swirling paper clowns to cotton candy puffy paint and a miniature carnival, every day brings new creative surprises.

This will be a week of artistic exploration, laughter, and imagination — where every young artist gets their moment under the big top!

Registration opens April 1. Register by June 17.

Rachel Morris

As an art education student at Cal Poly Humboldt, Rachel Morris is well versed in multiple art practices and loves diving into new styles and techniques. She is enthusiastic about creating with freedom, as well as developing her art skills through ambitious projects. Art has been at the center of her entire life. She says that it has been "a privilege to have such a great support system in my art journey, and I aspire to provide the most positive feedback to all young artists around me." She considers herself a lifelong learner, and loves hearing facts about science and animals -- and she has a few of her own to share. She is fascinated by nature and the ecosystems around her, so a lot of her art practices revolve around exploration of her surroundings. Her goal as an art teacher is to inspire artists to create fun, interactive art in connection to their passions.

Sawyer Armitage

An artist and educator in the local community, Sawyer Armitage is dedicated to opening up new opportunities to grow both as an artist and as an individual. 

With a degree in art and years of experience in the classroom, they foster inclusive spaces for creative expression and for children to connect with their peers. 

Sawyer has enjoyed every year working with Cal Poly Humboldt to put on Studio School, making this their fourth year! 

Sawyer embraces every aspect of visual, sculptural, and performance art and being fully enveloped in the creative process. 

Their own work has been published and awarded locally. When they aren’t in the classroom or their painting studio, Sawyer can be found in their garden or out enjoying all the beautiful landscapes that makes Humboldt so special. Their goal for every Studio School session is to help campers make friends, memories and amazing art pieces to take home that show off growing skills.