Each camp will help students develop their skills in drawing, water color and acrylic painting, sculpting, collaging, and mixed media. These camps are designed to strengthen skills and encourage individual styles.

About your instructor: Mary Beth Swicord is a professional artist and teacher and was previously a visual arts instructor with Fairfax County Public Schools. Mary Beth currently teaches private and group lessons in her studio. Her business, First Marks, is highly regarded in the community. She has had experience in integrating theater and movement into visual arts classes which will ultimately provide a unique opportunity for your child in finding their creative muse. Because the teacher/student ratio is excellent (1:5, with assistant) your child will receive the focus and nurturing he or she deserves as a young artist. My assistant, Julia Pense, is completing a degree at Mary Washington in Education with an emphasis on Math and Art.

Summer Art Camp will be held in Mary Beth Swicord’s home studio. Students should bring a daily snack, drinks and lunch. We will have 3 outdoor breaks daily, weather permitting. Campers should wear appropriate artist clothing and shoes. (As art has been known to overflow onto clothing).

Registration Information: Registration begins immediately. Class size is limited to 10 students. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. A non-refundable deposit of $150 is required. The remaining tuition balance for all camps will be due in full by June 9, 2008. Make checks payable to First Marks Studio and send registration forms to: First Marks Studio, Mary Beth Swicord, 1398 Concord Point Lane, Reston, VA 20194.

When deciding if this is the right camp for your child, please realize this will be an art-based camp, with developed lesson plans, deadlines, open choices in the studio, and some scheduled relaxing break/play time. To enable your child to access his/her creative self, your child will need to be able to sit and focus for an extended period of time.