2026 Summer Art Labs

Thanks to the generosity of the Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust,
full scholarships are available for the 2026 Summer Art Labs!

Instructors: Jill Van Slooten, Caleb Portfolio, Sydney Samele & Christine Mitchell

Dates: Tuesdays - Fridays, July 7 - August 7, 2026

Times:

AM Sessions: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ages 8-12 years)

PM Sessions: 1:00 - 4:30 PM (ages 13-17 years)

Free to register

(Registration deadline: June 19)

The 2026 Summer Art Labs have arrived! Designed to hone your artmaking, expand your creative problem-solving skills and build a strong portfolio, this fully funded program offers age-appropriate workshops in Ceramics, Printmaking, Photography, Printmaking, and Painting & Drawing. All materials are provided. Each workshop meets Tuesday – Friday. Attendees can register for any individual or all of the five workshops. Sign-up is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Early registration is encouraged, a limited number of spots are available.

*Note: If a session has filled and you would like to join the wait list, please contact Nicholas Paquette at: npaquette@fivepointsarts.org or by calling (860) 618-2167.

*Parents and/or guardians:

• Please register under an adult's name and contact information, the participant's name is provided under the "Attendee" details (on page 2 of registration form)

• Please complete a consent form for each registered participant and return by email to: npaquette@fivepointsarts.org or by mail to Five Points Arts Center (855 University Drive, Torrington CT 06790)

Click Here: Parent Guardian Consent Form

WEEK 1:

Painting & Drawing

Uncover the secrets of artmaking through innovative painting and drawing activities designed to start or strengthen your portfolio. Take the elements of art to the next level by exploring observational drawing, still life, painting and collage. Together with your fellow participants, create several pieces and let your imagination run wild!

Dates: Tuesday - Friday, July 7 - 10

AM Session: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (8-12 yr olds)

PM Session: 1:00 - 4:30 PM (13-17 yr olds)

Instructor: Christine Mitchell

WEEK 2:

Photography

Discover the origins of photography through image-making processes such as pinhole cameras, 35mm SLR cameras, darkroom enlargers and more! Collaborate with your fellow participants to build engaging compositions and explore the Arts Center grounds in search of the perfect shot.

Dates: Tuesday - Friday, July 14 - 17

AM Session: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (8-12 yr olds)

PM Session: 1:00 - 4:30 PM (13-17 yr olds)

Instructor: Caleb Portfolio

WEEK 3:

Printmaking

Fall in love with traditional printmaking this summer! Discover new ways to make art using techniques such as monotype, collagraph and more. With help from your instructor, learn to operate a printing press to create several impressions on paper and fabric using water-based inks.

Dates: Tuesday - Friday, July 21 – 24

AM Session: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (8-12 yr olds)

PM Session: 1:00 - 4:30 PM (13-17 yr olds)

Instructor: Sydney Samele

WEEK 4:

Let's Make Books!

Student artists will create unique handmade books of their own. From simple accordion style to Origami structures, each day will introduce a different book construction that can be made by folding, cutting, and binding paper. Handmade books can be used for sketchbooks, journals, or personal notes.

Dates: Tuesday - Friday, July 28 - 31

AM Session: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (8-12 yr olds)

PM Session: 1:00 - 4:30 PM (13-17 yr olds)

Instructor: Jill Van Slooten

WEEK 5:

Ceramics

Throw, pinch, coil and slab! Learn the process of wheel throwing and hand building to create sculptures, vessels and functional art. Experiment with surface design, trimming and glazing techniques as you explore the endless possibilities of clay.

Dates: Tuesday - Friday, August 4 - 7

AM Session: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (8-12 yr olds)

PM Session: 1:00 - 4:30 PM (13-17 yr olds)

Instructor: Christine Mitchell

All workshops are held at the Five Points Arts Center, 855 University Drive

Workshops may be cancelled due to low enrollment if a minimum number of participants are not met. Registrants will be notified in advance and a refund or credit will be arranged (see workshop polices below for details).

Workshop Policies: Please review the terms of our workshop policies here