summer 2026
Join us this summer for a series of uniquely high-quality art camps at the serene, secluded, and sublimely storybook Artisan Acres Estate, whose architectural marvel and lush nature offer unparalleled inspiration to the young artist. Instruction is not fettered by the conventional studio paradigm—the Estate will provide not only the setting of and inspiration for our creations, but oftentimes even the media from which they are composed. For example, the young artist may harvest dahlias from the pre-industrial Dyer’s Garden to create a rich natural dye for their silk batiks, or snip leaves from the Winding Wooded Path to create crisp botanical prints with a professional heat press.
At the conclusion of the summer session, we will come together for a Joint Gallery Reception in the Grand Little Barn, where family and friends are welcome to view our young artists’ creations as they enjoy refreshments on the beautiful property. This allows our students to not only engage with the creation phase of the artistic process, but with the curation, installation, and exposition aspects as well.
This summer, there are four programs available:
The Budding Artist Camp: Chinese Painting (ages 7-12)
The Budding Artist Camp: Silk School (ages 7-12)
The Young Artist Intensive: Silk Painting and Dyeing (typically ages 12+)
The Young Artist Intensive: Gouache Landscape Painting (typically ages 12+)
Discount Available for Summer 2026
Sibling Discount—Those who register two or more siblings will receive $50 off each child’s tuition. The siblings do not need to be enrolled in the same camp session to receive the discount. To confirm the tuition for your sibling group, please contact Sophie here.
The Budding Artist camp: Chinese Painting
Ages: 7-12 years.
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (students will have lunch and recess following class)
Teacher: Yingjia
Class Size: 7 students (maximum)
Dates: July 6 - 10, 2026
Gallery Date: TBD
Fees: $350 (includes materials). Tuition is refundable until April 15, 2026, but there will be a $100 withdrawal fee. In the event that the Director must cancel the session, all fees will be refunded.
Description: Join our distinguished veteran teacher, Yingjia, on a journey to the Middle Kingdom!
Using authentic materials, students will gain exposure to the two main traditional Chinese painting techniques—gongbi and shuimo. Students will learn and create at various points within the Estate, and may incorporate natural elements from the property into some of their pieces (as either media or subject matter).
Some exposure to Chinese brush painting technique is invaluable for even the young Western artist, as he or she will learn to convey a sense of spontaneity in his or her work while translating the spirit or essence of a subject (rather than simply replicating its appearance).
Application: Apply here.
The Budding Artist camp: Silk School
Ages: 7-12 years.
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (students will have lunch and recess following class)
Teacher: Sophie
Class Size: 7 students (maximum)
Dates: July 6 - 10, 2026
Gallery Date: TBD
Fees: $350 (includes materials). Tuition is refundable until April 15, 2026, but there will be a $100 withdrawal fee. In the event that the Director must cancel the session, all fees will be refunded.
Description: Students will gain exposure to a variety of silk painting and dyeing techniques. For example, students may practice carrageenan marbleizing one day and silk painting with gutta resist the next. Students will learn and create at various points within the Estate, and may incorporate natural elements from the property into some of their pieces (as either media or subject matter).
Application: Apply here.
The Young Artist Intensive: Silk Painting and Dyeing
Ages: 12-17 years. Those who participated in the 2025 session of The Silk School are also welcome to attend.
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Teacher: Sophie
Class Size: 7 students (maximum)
Dates: July 13 - 17, 2026
Gallery Date: TBD
Fees: $390 (includes materials). Tuition is refundable until April 15, 2026, but there will be a $100 withdrawal fee. In the event that the Director must cancel the session, all fees will be refunded.
Description: Students will gain exposure to a variety of silk painting and dyeing techniques. For example, students may practice carrageenan marbleizing one day and silk painting with gutta resist the next. Students will learn and create at various points within the Estate, and may incorporate natural elements from the property into some of their pieces (as either media or subject matter).
In contrast with The Budding Artist Camp: Silk School, the Intensive will require greater attention to detail, employ more advanced techniques, and utilize larger silk surfaces.
The Intensive will have a balanced approach to nurturing students’ artistic development while honing technical skills.
Prerequisite Skills: Students of all experience levels are welcome, but they must possess a strong interest in art.
Location: Instruction will take place almost exclusively outdoors at Artisan Acres Estate.
Application: Apply here.
The Young Artist Intensive: Gouache landscape painting
Ages: 12-17 years.
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Teacher: Yingjia
Class Size: 7 students (maximum)
Dates: July 13 - 17, 2026
Gallery Date: TBD
Fees: $390. Tuition is refundable until April 15, 2026, but there will be a $100 withdrawal fee. In the event that the Director must cancel the session, all fees will be refunded. Students will be given a supply list closer to the camp start date.
Description: Centered on en plein air painting, the Intensive combines tiered, systematic instruction with targeted demonstrations that deepen students’ understanding of color (in natural lighting and atmospheric conditions) while improving the expressive quality of their paintings. Students will learn to observe and express natural color, strengthen their color structure awareness, and develop pictorial language.
In the Intensive, students will study (1) analysis of natural light and color principles and methods of color observation; (2) the composition underlying gouache landscape sketching; (3) color harmony, tonal unity, and color relationships; and (4) the expression of space, volume, and color layering. Instruction features on-site instructor demonstrations, one-on-one guidance, and group critiques.
The Intensive will have a balanced approach to nurturing students’ artistic development while honing technical skills.
Prerequisite Skills: Students must possess a strong sketch background (students who have completed Foundations of Drawing and/or Sketching are adequately prepared). Applicants with previous color study experience (e.g. in gouache or other comparable media) will be given priority. Students should have a strong interest in painting and be able to adapt to outdoor sketching activities.
Materials: Specific material recommendations (including gouache paints, brushes, etc.) will be provided closer to the camp start date.
Location: Note that due to the nature of the content, instruction will take place almost exclusively outdoors at Artisan Acres Estate.
Application: Apply here.
The indoor portion of the Grand Little Barn Gallery Reception (Summer 2024)
Please fill out the form below to be notified of any discounts, camp openings, etc.
Note: This is not the application form. To apply, please click here.