MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Marquette Regional History Center is hosting its 10th annual Hands On! Art and History Day Camp this week. With the help of teachers from Liberty Children’s Art Project (LCAP), the kids have been creating some masterpieces, and learning a bit of Marquette history too.
This morning, kids at The Hands On! Art and History Day Camp created Agamographs by drawing two separate pictures, and cutting them into strips. The kids then glued the two together to made one artwork that showed two different pictures depending on the angle you look at it. 4th Grader Zoë Gramana made hers a rose, and a rainbow, while others drew video game characters or nature scenes.
The day camp runs Monday through Friday this week from just 10 until noon, but it gives kids the chance to create fun art projects, and learn more about the history behind them. Emily Varga is the Education and Administrative Assistant at the Marquette Regional History Center. She said they’ll do a new art project every day this week. Each year, The History Center works with LCAP to host a class of 13 to 16 kids for a week full of themed art projects.
“We’re kind of focusing this year on photography.” Varga said. “Because in the history aspect of it, our special exhibit is all about photography in The UP and in the Marquette regional area.”
The History Centers current special exhibit is called Exposing Photography. In the mornings, the kids get to look at the exhibit and the resource library to introduce them to each of their art projects for the day. 3rd Grader Coco Jones said she’s learned a lot this week about how taking pictures used to work.
Varga said it’s been great to get kids more interested in local history using art and activities that keep them engaged.
“It’s fun to incorporate local history which you can actually feel connected to, and enjoy learning about.” Varga said. “No matter how old you are.”
With a week full of projects ahead, the camps organizers say they’re excited to see what kinds of creations the kids come up with. Registration is sold out for this years camp, but the program is an annual event and will be open again next summer.
For more Marquette Regional History Center events, you can visit: www.marquettehistory.org
For more on Liberty Children’s Art Project: facebook.com/LibertyChildrensArtProject
