Summer's Cool Returns for Another Season of Fun and Learning at the Walker Art Center
Summer’s Cool, the Walker Art Center’s summer classes for kids ages 3–14, returns for another exciting year with classes in June, July, and August. In nine different artist-led summer classes, participants can create photography, sculpture, music, and hip-hop dance, dig for treasures at the Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis, or even build their own model city. Culture Camp offers young people an action-packed visit to a different arts institution each day. (A complete listing follows.)
Registration and Information
Registration for all classes has already begun. For more information or to register by phone, call the Walker box office at 612.375.7600 (open Tuesday–Saturday, 11 am–9 pm; Sunday, 11 am–6 pm; closed Mondays). Register online at walkerart.org/tickets. Enrollment is limited, so sign up early. Classes may be canceled one week prior to the start date of each class if enrollment is insufficient. Note: Kids Rock! registration is through MacPhail Center for Music only.
Scholarships
A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available on a need basis for classes through the Walker Art Center’s Explore Program. For more information, call Ashley Duffalo at 612.375.7587.
Refunds and Withdrawals
Fees are nonrefundable. A full refund will only be granted if the class is canceled by the Walker Art Center. There are no exceptions. Registered students cannot exchange classes once enrolled.
SUMMER’S COOL
June 19–August 24
Once Upon a Garden
For ages 3–6, accompanied by an adult
Section I (ages 3–4): Thursday evenings, July 6, 13, 20, and 27, 6–7:30 pm
Section II (ages 4–5): Tuesday evenings, August 1, 8, 15, and 22, 6–7:30 pm
Section III (ages 5–6): Thursday evenings, August 3, 10, 17, and 24, 6–
7:30 pm
Location: Walker on Wheels, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Budding artists and their favorite adults will begin each of the four evenings with an artful story, followed by the discovery of sculptural treasures in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Then use a wide range of materials to create art together. Don’t forget to dress for a mess!
Hip-Hop Moves
For ages 5–11
Section I (ages 5–7): Monday–Friday, July 31–August 4, 10 am–12 noon
Section II (ages 8–11): Monday–Friday, July 31–August 4, 1–3 pm
Location: William and Nadine McGuire Theater, Walker Art Center
Rhythm! Respect! Find your inner beat and understand the technique! Move through hip-hop dance history and most of all, have fun. Discover how hip-hop culture has been making its mark on music, fashion, sports, and art. Celebrate styles and learn spectacular moves from local innovators during a week of excitement and intensity. Bring a snack each day. Friends and family are invited to a performance at the end of the last class. Led by dancer/choreographer Leah Nelson and members of Nubia, a hip-hop performing arts collective.
Garden Grubbers
For ages 7–9
Monday–Friday, June 19-23, 9 am–12 noon
Location: Star Tribune Foundation Art Lab, Walker Art Center
Muddy your hands with clay as you grow a garden full of sculptures, plants, animals, and imagination. Join ceramic artist Kathleen Moroney, 2005 Jerome Artist-in-Residence at Northern Clay Center, who will help the class design a collaborative artwork inspired by the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Kids will take home their individual garden plots, which will get fired at Northern Clay Center. Dress for a mess and bring a snack each day. Friends and family are invited to a reception on the last day of class.
Can you dig it?
For ages 7–10
Monday–Friday, June 26–30, 9 am–12 noon
Location: Mill Ruins Park, downtown Minneapolis, between West River Parkway and the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls
Dig into the fun of excavation, learn how to map a site, clean and catalogue artifacts, and help uncover the rich history of the Mississippi River. Delve into the artistic processes related to archaeology (sketching, casting, and rubbing) and make a time capsule filled with personal relics that future archaeologists can unearth. Dress for a mess and bring a snack each day. Participants provide their own transportation to Mill Ruins Park, where the Walker on Wheels mobile art lab will be on-site. Friends and family are invited to a reception on the last day of class. Led by artist Therese Buchmiller and guest archaeologists.
A project of the Walker Art Center, Walker on Wheels is made possible by generous support from the Medtronic Foundation.
Culture Camp for Families
Weekend Workshops
For ages 5–12, accompanied by an adult
Saturday mornings: July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 9 am–12 noon
Location: On-site at each organization
Families spend a Saturday morning together at each of these five cultural arts organizations: the Walker Art Center, the Children’s Theatre Company, Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and Zenon Dance Company. Work with artists at each site to create original paintings, performances, prints, handmade books, and dances. Sign up for one workshop or all five! See registration panel for details. Participants must provide their own transportation to each institution.
Culture Camp
For ages 7–12
Monday–Friday, August 7–11, 9 am–3 pm
Location: On-site at each organization
Kids spend a day at each of these five cultural arts organizations: the Walker Art Center, the Children’s Theatre Company, Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and Zenon Dance Company. Work with artists at each site to create original paintings, performances, prints, handmade books, and dances. Participants must provide their own transportation to each institution and bring a bag lunch each day. Friends and family are invited to a presentation at the end of class at each location.
Mini Metropolis
For ages 8–11
Monday–Friday, July 24–28, 1–4 pm
Location: Star Tribune Foundation Art Lab, Walker Art Center
If you were going to plan a city, what would it look like? Find out where your imagination wants to live during this class. Build your own city out of screws, cardboard, beads, wires, and lots of other interesting objects. Design skylines, parks, highways, ponds, and houses with instructor Christina Alderman, who will guide students on a truly creative urban adventure. Bring a snack each day. Friends and family are invited to a reception on the last day of class.
Kids Rock!
For ages 10–13
Monday–Friday, July 31–August 4, 1–4 pm
Location: MacPhail Center for Music, 1128 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis
Tired of being a garage-band groupie? Dream of starring in your own rock show? Here’s your chance! This class is designed for young musicians who’d like to improve their playing skills and learn how to collaborate with fellow rockers. MacPhail teaching artists will coach small instrument-specific group lessons throughout the week. Camp is open to singers as well as students who play guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. A final rock concert will be held at the Walker Art Center during Free First Saturday on August 5. Participants must provide their own instrument and transportation. Amps are provided.
Registration through MacPhail only. To register or for more information, call 612.321.0100 or visit macphail.org.
Young Photographers
For ages 12–14
Monday–Friday, July 17–21, 9 am–12 noon
Location: Walker Art Center and IFP Minnesota Center for Media Arts,
2446 University Avenue West, Suite 100, St. Paul
In this introductory class led by artist Monica Haller, students will learn the basics of camera operation and printing photos while gaining knowledge of portrait photography. Shooting assignments will take place at the Walker, inspired by visits to the exhibition Diane Arbus Revelations. Students will work in the darkroom at IFP Minnesota Center for Media Arts. Participants must provide their own 35mm cameras and transportation to each institution. All other materials are provided and included in the class fee. Friends and family are invited to a reception on the last day of class.