The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Altoona and Bedford invite young artists this summer for five days of hands-on creativity, imagination and artistic exploration led by teaching artist Emily Russell.

Designed for children and teens who love to create, SAMA’s summer camps encourage students to experiment with new materials, techniques and ideas while having fun in an inspiring museum setting.

Art Camps are July 27-31 at Altoona and June 22-26 at Bedford for $125 per child.

The first camp is designed for children ages 6-9 and runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Young campers will dive into projects ranging from wax resist watercolor sea paintings and recycled printmaking to mixed media collage, shadow silhouettes and expressive self-portraits. Students will learn to trust their creativity, express emotions through art and think imaginatively while exploring the galleries and gardens of SAMA Altoona. Activities, snacks, games and artist-inspired lessons create an energetic and playful atmosphere that keeps creativity flowing all week long. Young artists will explore colorful, inventive projects while experimenting with a variety of art styles, materials and tools.

Older students ages 10-14 are invited to participate from 1 to 4 p.m. This afternoon camp encourages students to expand their artistic talents through more advanced artmaking techniques and creative problem-solving activities. Participants will work closely with Emily Russell to build confidence, explore new artistic ideas and discover the joy of artistic expression.

All camps conclude with a special exhibition and reception for friends and family on the final day of camp.

Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged.