Students work in CCAD’s College PreView program

As we eagerly wait for the temperatures to rise in Columbus, we can’t help but get excited about our upcoming summer programs, which cater to all ages and cover many visual arts interests.

For more than a decade, Creative Summer Workshops have been a popular destination at CCAD, serving everyone from age 6 to 90. The one- to two-week workshops run half days, Monday through Friday, and both morning and afternoon classes are available.

For parents, these workshops provide a perfect day camp for their creatively inclined children. Class subjects range from classic drawing to digital art to comic book drawing and photography. The workshops are arranged by grade level so students can learn and play alongside their peers.

For adults, the workshops can be a wonderful staycation adventure—imagine taking glassblowing every morning for your vacation. New this year is an exciting two-week workshop titled Cast to the Future. Participants in this workshop will work in CCAD’s new Fab Lab with CCAD’s dean of design arts and chairs of Animation and Dimensional Studies. Students will generate a piece of jewelry from a virtual 3D object, learn the basics of 3D polygonal modeling, print their model on a state-of-the-art 3D printer, and harness the power of a 3000-year old technology to cast the print in bronze, silver, or gold.

CCAD’s popular College PreView returns, offering high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors a three-week college experience. During the program, students are able to live in our residence halls, take classes with our faculty, meet professional artists, exhibit their work, and explore Columbus and its art scene. New this year, the program is offering an additional option to take a guided trip to New York City.

This summer also launches CCAD’s Discovery Club. The weeklong residential art camp allows students an experience similar to College PreView, but designed for grades 7–10.

Summer is also a good time to take one of CCAD’s degree courses. The term is more condensed in the summer, and with lighter summer BFA enrollment there is a greater likelihood of non-degree-seeking students getting into classes.

“We often see art educators take advantage of CCAD’s degree courses during the summer,” said Cat Sheridan, director of Continuing & Professional Studies. “During the summer, educators may have more flexible schedules, so it is easier to take advantage of these classes. They are able to use our facilities, learn from our faculty, and develop both professionally and personally.”

To view a complete list of workshops offered to children and adults, click here. To learn more about College PreView and Discovery Club, click here.

SMAC student contemplates her piece

By Kristen M. Foley

It’s a common holiday phenomenon: first there are the long lines, then the hastily ripped open packages, and finally the gadget/toy overload and burnout. Some savvy shoppers have opted out of such exhausting holiday trends and are instead buying experiential gifts, such as art classes.

At CCAD the Saturday Morning Art Classes (SMAC) program explores every genre of art a kid could possibly fathom. Imagine giving kids the opportunity to participate in classes that include animation, drawing, digital art, ceramics, comic book drawing, printmaking, photography, and more. The classes are also broken down by grades; therefore, students learn with others in the same age group.

SMAC student looks over her work

“This is a gift that could effectively change the path of or broaden a child’s horizons,” said Cat Sheridan, director of continuing & professional studies. “To give education is more than a simple, one shot-deal; it’s something that will stay with the student for life. It’s a great thing to give.”

Children as young as first grade can experiment with pencils, crayons, pens, paint, clay, and a variety of other materials. They have the opportunity to be part of something outside their normal learning community and are able to express themselves in creative ways.

“We have many families who have been part of the program for years and years. This is their child’s artistic outlet,” adds Sheridan. “They may get to do art in their grade schools or high schools and come to CCAD to have the unique opportunity to be around other kids who are there because they love art. They want to grow their passion and their abilities.”

Sheridan is no stranger to this concept. She is not only a graduate and now employee of CCAD, but she also participated in Saturday Morning Art Classes—starting when she was in the first grade. There are many other students who, just like her, started out in these classes and decided not only to pursue a fine arts degree, but to continue on at CCAD.

SMAC students work on their drawing skills

“As a non-degree student in these programs you still get to be part of the CCAD family,” said Sheridan. “Sometimes it ushers them into the degree program and sometimes softly into a life of art in other ways.”

Adults aren’t left out of the educational gift opportunities either. Adult programs are offered at a variety of times and days of the week and include ceramics, fashion design, Photoshop, jewelry, website design, painting, welding, and more.

CCAD’s Continuing & Professional Studies office offers gift certificates, which can be purchased by contacting the office at 614.222.3248. But with the college’s winter break fast approaching, Dec. 20 is the last chance to order a gift certificate before the new year.

To view a complete list of workshops offered to children and adults, click here. To learn more about CCAD’s Continuing & Professional Studies programs, click here.