Summer Art and Design Camp

Registration for Summer Camp is now open! 

Join us this summer for an immersive Art and Design Camp tailored specifically for high school students! Our camp offers a unique opportunity for young artists and designers to explore their creativity, develop new skills, and unleash their potential in a supportive and inspiring environment. Through hands-on courses, expert guidance from experienced instructors, and exposure to various artistic mediums and design principles, participants will embark on a journey of self-expression and discovery.

From photography to digital art, sculpture, and graphic design, our camp curriculum covers a wide range of disciplines to cater to diverse interests. Whether you’re a budding painter, aspiring animator, or future graphic designer, our camp promises to ignite your passion for art and design while fostering personal growth and camaraderie among fellow creative minds. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your artistic abilities and make lasting memories this summer!

For questions please contact: Daniel Kariko karikod@ecu.edu

Fees

All fees include a full week of courses (2 per day), all meals in an ECU dining hall, a camp T- shirt, all supplies and materials (unless otherwise noted for the course), all recreational activities, accident insurance, and a health care fee. Campers choose between resident and day camper options:
Resident Camper Fee includes a shared room in an ECU residence hall : $975
Day Camper Fee  $800

Partial payment options are available upon paying a down-payment of $275 for a resident campers, or $250 for day campers.

Registration Deadline May 15th, 2025

Format

Students will select one morning and one afternoon course as well as their second choices.

Summer of 2025 Classes:

Register / Make a Payment Here

Forms:

• Liability Release
• Photo Release Form

Full descriptions of courses are bellow.

Note: Once registered, we will contact you in few days to confirm your final schedule of classes, based on your requests. We cannot guarantee that you will receive your first choices, since courses are limited to 15 attendees.

2025 Morning Sessions: 

Animation

Join us for a week filled with fun where students will unleash their imagination and bring characters to life. Through hands-on activities and creative projects, they’ll hone their artistic skills and collaborate with fellow students. Our guided course will cover key aspects of character design, starting with understanding what makes a character memorable and how to create one. Students will delve into narrative development, exploring the art of storytelling through characters. They’ll also get hands-on experience with 2D Visual Development using Photoshop, learning the basics of digital design.

An introduction to digital sculpting will open up new possibilities as students discover the world of 3D character creation.  Students will create a bust of their characters. The camp will focus on refining sculpts, providing insight into the intricate details of character design. From defining features to perfecting painting and rendering techniques, participants will gain valuable skills throughout the summer.

Instructor: Hilary Huskey

Hilary Huskey, an Assistant Professor at East Carolina University, specializes in animation and game design. With a double major in Art and Political Science from Duke University and a master’s from the Savannah College of Art and Design, she passionately guides students in exploring the dynamic intersection of storytelling and character sculpting.

Required Materials: Flash Drive (16g is fine, this is for saving files)

Ceramics

Ceramics is a versatile material. Malleable in its raw state, it can be formed through a variety of means, each of which provides insight into the material and methods for its use. This summer camp will focus each day on one particular construction method used with ceramics, so that by the end of the week, we will have explored a wide array of options and developed a broad sense for ceramic practice. Intended methods include touch with our hands, templates, liquid clay, and more. Due to the short one-week duration of the camp, it will not be possible to glaze fire these works. With that in mind, the premise for the course will be on how questions asked about material and method exploration reflexively reveal important points about you as the artist. 

Instructor: Andy Shaw

Andy Shaw is a Teaching Assistant Professor at East Carolina University and studio potter. Andy is interested in international ceramics practice, co-coordinates the Mid-Atlantic Keramik Exchange in Iceland, and recently completed an artist residency in Denmark. His work is primarily functional: cups, bowls, and plates, and methods for making multiples of form hold his interest. In addition, Andy prefers a studio practice that is creatively nimble, terminology that we will examine more closely together in our summer camp.

Required Materials: None. All supplies and materials will be provided.

Digital Fabrication

The Game Maker Class will focus on digital fabrication utilizing technologies including vinyl cutting machines, laser engravers, CNC routers, and 3D printers. Students will design ideas for original board games. This process will include board design, layout, player pieces, graphic design, etc. Students will then fabricate these board games using a variety of software, materials, and tools. Students will also design is a piece of furniture that must serve as a tabletop and storage space for their game. Students will construct prototypes and a finalized version of these prototypes will then be constructed out of ¾” birch plywood on the CNC router and assembled. Students will design playing pieces for their games using 3D design software. Their designs will be fabricated using 3D printers. As a closing event, students will play each other’s games as a form of final artist’s critique. Their work will be critiqued for gameplay and utility.

Instructor: Robbie Quinn

Robert Quinn taught middle and high school art before he began his 17-year stint as Professor of Art Education at ECU. He has been a youth soccer coach and is an active musician. He is married to a teacher and they have two teen-aged children and a rescue dog.

Required Materials: 

Digital Photography

This introductory course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the world of digital photography. Learn the fundamentals of camera operation, composition techniques, and essential editing skills. Whether you have experience or just starting to explore your passion for photography, this class provides a solid foundation to capture and create stunning visual narratives. No prior experience required!

Instructor: Brian Culbertson

Required Materials: Cell phone with camera or digital (DSLR) camera.

Graphic Design/ Letter Press –

Step into the world of Graphic Design with our beginner-friendly letterpress art camp! This hands-on course is perfect for high school students who are new to the craft. You’ll learn the basics of letterpress printing, including how to set type, ink your press, and create your own custom designs. Over the week, you’ll experiment with different fonts, textures, and colors, while creating unique prints you can take home. Whether you’re looking to explore a new art form or build your creative skills, this camp will give you the tools and experience to create stunning, one-of-a-kind prints.

Instructor: Dan Elliott

Dan Elliott (born circa 1808) was a skilled letterpress printer and a notable figure in the American printing industry during the 19th century. Operating his own printing press, Elliott became renowned for his craftsmanship, producing books, newspapers, and advertisements with careful attention to detail. However, his legacy extends beyond printmaking, as he was rumored to have been involved in the mysterious events surrounding a strange series of incidents in the late 1800s.

According to local folklore and cryptic accounts, Elliott was one of the few individuals who received peculiar, coded messages that some believe were linked to an alien invasion. In the years leading up to the famous War of the Worlds panic of 1898, it is said that Elliott used his printing press to distribute cryptic pamphlets containing unusual symbols and strange information that may have been early warnings of extraterrestrial contact. Though there is no concrete evidence, rumors persist that his print shop was visited by strange figures and that Elliott’s involvement with the mysterious messages played a key role in spreading knowledge of the alleged invasion.

While his contribution to the world of letterpress printing remains his most recognized achievement, Elliott’s mysterious ties to these unexplained events have made him a subject of fascination in both printmaking history and the folklore surrounding early alien encounters.

Required Materials: None. All supplies and materials will be provided.

2025 Afternoon Sessions:

Animation

Join us for a week filled with fun where students will unleash their imagination and bring characters to life. Through hands-on activities and creative projects, they’ll hone their artistic skills and collaborate with fellow students. Our guided course will cover key aspects of character design, starting with understanding what makes a character memorable and how to create one. Students will delve into narrative development, exploring the art of storytelling through characters. They’ll also get hands-on experience with 2D Visual Development using Photoshop, learning the basics of digital design.

An introduction to digital sculpting will open up new possibilities as students discover the world of 3D character creation.  Students will create a bust of their characters. The camp will focus on refining sculpts, providing insight into the intricate details of character design. From defining features to perfecting painting and rendering techniques, participants will gain valuable skills throughout the summer.

Instructor: Hilary Huskey

Hilary Huskey, an Assistant Professor at East Carolina University, specializes in animation and game design. With a double major in Art and Political Science from Duke University and a master’s from the Savannah College of Art and Design, she passionately guides students in exploring the dynamic intersection of storytelling and character sculpting.

Required Materials: Flash Drive (16g is fine, this is for saving files)

Alternative Process Photography

Unleash your creativity in this hands-on photography workshop, where you’ll explore unique, traditional photo techniques beyond the digital camera! Over several days, you’ll learn alternative processes like cyanotype, pinhole photography, and photograms. These methods allow you to create one-of-a-kind prints using sunlight, everyday objects, and chemical solutions. No darkroom experience is required—just bring your curiosity and a love for experimenting with light and materials. Perfect for high school students interested in discovering the artistic side of photography and creating stunning, handmade images!

Instructor: Brian Culbertson

Coming Soon

Required Materials: None. Cameras and materials will be provided. If students have an SLR camera they are welcome to bring it, but it is not required.

Graphic Design

In this course students will be briefly learning about type history and type anatomy. We will be discussing how type is used down to the individual characters and how impactful it has been on modern day advertisements. Learning about a basic grid system and transforming type, students will get a fun and interactive intro to the world of graphic design. We’ll be working on a couple of projects that showcase how impactful graphic design is on their everyday life such as popular brands, social media etc. By the end students will be able to take home physical media of their own art.

Examples of Projects

• Type poster
• Redesign of popular brands
• Logomark design using initials

Instructor: Josh Vaughan

Required Materials: A flash drive for your files. All other supplies and materials will be provided.

Jewelry/ Metal Smithing

Discover the art of jewelry design in this hands-on workshop where you’ll create your own wearable pieces of art! Over the course of the camp, you’ll learn the basics of jewelry making, from shaping wire to setting stones, and experimenting with different materials like metal, beads, and clay. Whether you’re making a custom necklace, bracelet, or ring, you’ll explore your creativity while mastering fundamental techniques like soldering, polishing, and finishing. No prior experience necessary—this workshop is perfect for high school students eager to dive into the world of jewelry design and leave with their own handmade creations!

Instructor: Tim Lazure

Coming Soon

Required Materials:

Printmaking

Dive into the world of printmaking in this exciting hands-on workshop! Over the course of the camp, you’ll learn a variety of techniques like monoprinting, linocut, and screen printing to create your own unique artworks. Explore how to transfer your designs onto paper, experiment with colors, textures, and layers, and bring your creative ideas to life. Whether you’re interested in creating bold posters, intricate illustrations, or expressive patterns, this workshop is perfect for high school students looking to explore the printmaking process from start to finish. No experience required—just bring your imagination and enthusiasm!

Instructor: Matt Egan

Coming Soon

Required Materials: Campers will use their own mobile devices for recording. Supporting equipment will be provided along with editing tools.

Camper Information

School of Art and Design Main Office – 252-328-6665 // The Main Office is open Monday through Fridays, 8 am to 5 pm

Campers and families will be given an after-hours contact upon arrival.

Camp Director: Daniel Kariko karikod@ecu.edu

Camp Assistant Director: Robbie Quinn quinnr@ecu.edu

Map

Daily Camp Schedule

What to Bring

PLEASE BRING YOUR COMPLETED MEDICAL AND LIABILITY RELEASE FORMS.

• Liability Release
• Photo Release Form

BEDDING: Pillow, pillow cases, single (twin XL) sheets, light-weight blanket.

TOILETRIES: Towels, wash clothes, toothbrush and tooth paste, comb, deodorant.

CLOTHING: Pajamas, casual clothes that can be used in messy art studios, COMFORTABLE close-toed shoes, coat hangers if desired. Jenkins Fine Arts Center can be cool in the summer, so please bring a sweatshirt or warmer layer just in case.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING SKATEBOARDS OR OTHER LARGE NON-PORTABLE EQUIPMENT OR DEVICES. THESE ARE PROHIBITED.

Parents and Students: Please Notice

Students will not be permitted to ride in cars while at camp. Students driving themselves to camp will turn in their keys to their dorm counselor for the duration of camp. Keys will be returned on Friday at checkout.

The use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and/or vaping is strictly forbidden. Additionally, while students are encouraged to have a cell phone in order to stay in communication with camp counselors as well as family, any inappropriate texting or online bullying will not be tolerated. A VIOLATION OF THESE RULES WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION FROM THIS CAMP.