Have you seen the mural at The Denver Williams Jr. Park? It was created last summer by the students who participated in Charlie’s Summer Art Camp.
Again this summer, thanks to The Robert E. Lucas Fund and other generous donors to the Good Fairy Fund, area children ages 8 to 16 will have affordable opportunities to participate in activities involving visual and performing arts at The Murphy Theatre.
“We are in the sixth year of bringing a variety of art forms to the youth of Clinton County through the Murphy Theatre,” said Diane Murphy, chairwoman and founding member of the Good Fairy Programming.
Saturday Mornings at The Murphy is a series of workshops held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on June 10, June 17, July 22, July 29, Aug. 5, and Aug. 12. Each workshop, $10 each or all six for $50, is limited to 25 students ages 8 to 16, so early registration is encouraged.
Charlie’s Summer Arts Camp, led by artist Gail Rose, will be held upstairs at the Murphy Theatre July 26-30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, with lunch provided.
Participants will create murals to be permanently displayed at the theatre and will become part of a drum line, creating rhythms on various styles of buckets in Charlie’s Bucket Band conducted by Chip Murdock. They will also splatter paint their own Tee shirt to keep.
Fee for camp is $75 for the week. A review of the young artist’s work and talent will be open to the community Friday June 30 at 2 p.m.
The Saturday Morning at The Murphy workshops will be as follows:
• June 10: Splatter Paint with Hal Shunk of Wilmington College
Discover various methods of splatter, drip and brush painting to create a book cover, Tee shirt and canvas.
• June 17: Storybook Illustration with Debbie Hook of Bee Hive Framing. Students will illustrate a story as it is read to them using pencil, marker and crayon.
• July 22: Bottle Cap Art. Students will create a wind chime using bottle caps and bells.
• July 29: See what paper can create. Participants will create a picture using the quilling method of paper art as well as learning the ancient art of origami.
• Aug. 5: Learn to play the Ukulele from Natasha Baylor. Local musician will teach students the history and technique of playing the Ukulele and will learn to perform on stage with grace and rhythm. Students will be given their own Ukulele to keep.
• Aug. 12: Dance with instructors from Wilmington Performing Art Center Students will learn basics of dance and learn a choreographed dance to perform on stage for the review and the end of the workshop.
An artist revue of all of the workshops will be held at noon Aug. 12 on stage at The Murphy Theatre and is open to the public.
The fee schedule for Saturday Mornings at the Murphy is as follows: one class for $10; all six classes for $50. A T-shirt is included in the registration fee.
The Good Fairy Fund originated in 2012 as a way to bring arts programming to children ages 8-16. Through The Murphy Theatre and the Good Fairy Programming, students are able to learn from local and regional professional artists about various art forms.
The Good Fairy Fund is supported by local businesses, organizations, and individuals who believe theater, music, and all forms of art should be available to as many children as possible.
To register for the summer programs or to donate to the Good Fairy Fund, call 937-382-3643, visit the box office at 50 W. Main St. from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, or go online for a registration form at www.themurphytheatre.org.
