About This Activity
Instructor: Cain & Cyle Barnes 
Oops… or was it? In this hands-on camp, teens will learn to see mistakes as opportunities! Inspired by the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi—the beauty of imperfection—students will experiment with intentional “accidents” to create bold, expressive artwork. Using acrylic paints, tea and coffee stains, glue, and other unexpected materials, campers will explore layering, blending, and composition while crafting small experimental pieces. Teens will be guided with hands-on prompts like: turn a coffee stain into a dog, transform a paint spill into a cityscape, or incorporate glue textures into abstract designs. These exercises help students see creative potential in surprises and build confidence in improvisation. Campers will combine these experiments into a larger, finished piece that showcases their personal style and creative problem-solving. By the end of camp, students will: -Learn to embrace creative mistakes and turn them into intentional artwork -Experiment with incorporating unconventional materials—like coffee, tea, or glue—into images -Practice color mixing, blending, and layering with acrylic paint -Develop intentional composition and imagery skills while improvising with accidents -Build creative problem-solving skills through hands-on prompts and experimentation -Combine small experiments into cohesive final pieces that highlight personal style -This camp is perfect for teens ready to take risks, explore materials in new ways, and see the art in every “oops!” On the final day of camp, we invite parents to a special reception to celebrate their young artists and to see the work your children have created throughout the week.
Oops… or was it? In this hands-on camp, teens will learn to see mistakes as opportunities! Inspired by the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi—the beauty of imperfection—students will experiment with intentional “accidents” to create bold, expressive artwork. Using acrylic paints, tea and coffee stains, glue, and other unexpected materials, campers will explore layering, blending, and composition while crafting small experimental pieces. Teens will be guided with hands-on prompts like: turn a coffee stain into a dog, transform a paint spill into a cityscape, or incorporate glue textures into abstract designs. These exercises help students see creative potential in surprises and build confidence in improvisation. Campers will combine these experiments into a larger, finished piece that showcases their personal style and creative problem-solving. By the end of camp, students will: -Learn to embrace creative mistakes and turn them into intentional artwork -Experiment with incorporating unconventional materials—like coffee, tea, or glue—into images -Practice color mixing, blending, and layering with acrylic paint -Develop intentional composition and imagery skills while improvising with accidents -Build creative problem-solving skills through hands-on prompts and experimentation -Combine small experiments into cohesive final pieces that highlight personal style -This camp is perfect for teens ready to take risks, explore materials in new ways, and see the art in every “oops!” On the final day of camp, we invite parents to a special reception to celebrate their young artists and to see the work your children have created throughout the week.
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