The annual Summer Arts Workshop for children ended on Friday at the Blaffer Art Museum. “It has been a whirlwind of fun, and the kids are so adorable, innocent and sweet,” said Lindsey Slavin, sculpture alumna and teacher. “If I ever came into work in a bad mood, they fixed it.” | Monica Tso/The Daily Cougar

Grade school students between the ages of six to 12 were inspired to create masterpieces during a two-week art workshop that ended on Friday at the Blaffer Art Museum.

About 25 children explored artsy projects at the annual Summer Arts Workshop. The projects throughout the workshop were inspired by superheroes and alter-egos, and students created “wearables,” including masks, gloves and headbands.

On the last day, students toured Andy Coolquitt’s exhibition at Blaffer and created sculptures out of recycled items and trash, inspired by the gallery.

Curator of education Katherine Veneman has hosted the camp for nine years.

“The students can relate their own ideas to our contemporary galleries, and they all see different ideas, which generates many new perspectives,” Veneman said. “The best part is seeing the kids work together because each person brings different dynamics.”

Sculpture alumna Lindsey Slavin worked at the Young Artist Apprenticeship Program — hosted at Blaffer for high school students — and decided to teach children for the first time at the art workshop this year.

“The most challenging part of this program is that the students work at different speeds, so I have to prepare multiple projects to keep them all busy,” Slavin said. “It was also challenging to come up with a curriculum for this age group and having back up plans of back up plans. I had to be prepared and plan ahead.”

Slavin hopes the students found confidence in their artwork and encourages them to stay creative.

“The very best thing is knowing that you have influenced the students creatively and in a positive way, and I want them to know that art is a safe place. It’s something we can turn to,” Slavin said. “If the students leave with overflowing ideas of art and self-confidence, then I have done my job.”

The students toured the Andy Coolquitt’s exhibition and were inspired to create art out of trash. | Monica Tso/The Daily Cougar

Art history senior and president of Blaffer Student Association Marcada Claybon was a teacher’s assistant and has worked with the workshop for two years.

“I really look forward to this art workshop every summer, and it’s interesting and different every time,” Claybon said. “The workshop allows kids to be more creative and provides an outlet. The teachers are great, and we have lots of returning students.”

Art history post-baccalaureate student Araceli Casas was also an assistant and has been an intern at Blaffer for two semesters.

“I love teaching kids about art, and I want them to feel confident about their own creativity,” Casas said. “We cover a lot of mediums, so the kids can really be hands-on. I want to help fuel their creativity, especially if they may not have the chance to be.”

arts@thedailycougar.com