ArtVenture Summer Camp Kicks Off At VisArts With Supersized Fun

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts) commenced the 2022 ArtVenture Summer Camp season with a new class that brought larger-than-life puppet making to the classroom taught by the director of All The Saints Theater, Lily Lamberta. Students made a 15-foot high paper-mache puppet named Jerry. “Jerry” pronouns they/them was made as a penguin swamp beast with dragon wings, claws, and a pink fuzzy tail. Jerry will be part of All The Saints Theater Company’s annual Halloween Parade.

At VisArts’ ArtVenture Summer Camp, young people make art with some of Richmond’s most talented artists and educators like Lily Lamberta. Lily is a professional puppeteer and Director/Founder of All the Saints Theater Company, Richmond’s famous political puppeteer parade makers. Lily founded Richmond’s Halloween Parade with the first action of All the Saints’ on October 31st, 2006. Lily uses paper-mache, cardboard, bamboo and fabric to make larger-than-life puppets ranging from 8 to 20 feet and uses collaborative art and theater as a tool for storytelling and community engagement.

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond’s summer camp program, ArtVenture, has established itself as one of the most popular day camps in the region, winning honors from publications like Richmond Magazine and Style Weekly and garnering rave reviews from both kids and parents who keep coming back for more.

ArtVenture runs for 11 weeks, June 20 through September 2. Kids ages 5 to 14 can choose from courses such as Wheel Throwing, Darkroom Photography, Stop Motion Animation, Mural Painting and more.  Workshops run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 to 4 p.m. Classes are $126 for VisArts members and $140 for the general public. Materials fees vary, depending on the class. Parents can pay $55 for an extended day program that allows kids to stay at VisArts during the lunch hour and from 4 to 5 p.m.

Questions about ArtVenture? Call Rachel Deutch at (804) 353-0094 ext. 234, or e-mail [email protected].