From the Amazon to the Atlantic
JULY 8-12 & JULY 15-19 2024
TUITION – AGES 6-12 YEARS
Early Bird Pricing: 5% off until Feb. 1
Half day = $237.50/week (code HALFDAY24)
Full day = $427.50/week (code EARLYBIRD24)
Standard Pricing: After Feb. 1
Half day = $250/week (Both morning & afternoon)
Full day = $450/week (code FULLDAY24)
A Start With The Arts – Ages 4-5
Half day = $237.50/week (earlybird code START24)
Half day = $250/week (Morning only)
Camp Create – Ages 13+ Years
Full day = $356.25/week (earlybird code CREATE24)
Full day = $375/week
Join ArtStart artists for a dynamic and fun-filled exploration of Brazil, one of the most diverse and spectacularly beautiful countries in South America. Designed for youth ages 4-12 years, Passport to Brazil immerses youth in the arts, culture, and ecology of this vast country – from the Amazon River basin to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro.
Youth ages 6-12 years select classes taught by professional artists from multiple arts disciplines – music, creative movement/dance, and visual arts. As a result of participating in this 5-day immersion experience, youth gain artistic knowledge and skills, learn about the people, geography and environment of a place and create art works and performances inspired by the culture.
Pre-school children ages 4-5 years register for “A Start with the Arts”. Youth ages 13 years and older register for “Camp CREATE”, a studio-based camp with classes that parallel those offered for ages 4-12 years.
Register for a 2-class bundle (morning or afternoon) if attending half day or 2 bundles (morning and afternoon) if attending for a full day. We can’t guarantee you will get all of your top choices, but we will do our best to accommodate all requests. We support children attending camp with a friend and will place them in the same class if possible.
Registration information
Partial scholarships are available.
DEADLINE to register: Friday, May 31, 2024
Confirmation letters and directions sent out about three weeks before the start of class.
CANCELLATION FEES
Before June 1: You may transfer to another camp with no fee. Cancellations will be issued in full (minus 7% + tax).
After June 1: Cancellations will not be refunded. You may transfer your registration from one child to another or to another camp if space is available.
LUNCH & SNACKS
Full day students need to bring a lunch. Lunch is supervised. Children should also bring a morning and afternoon fruit break.
LOCATION
Mount Zion Synagogue
1300 Summit Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
COVID-19/ VARIANTS POLICY
The majority of classes are held indoors. If COVID is an issue Summer 2024, children, artists, and staff will be asked to wear masks for their safety. Because ArtStart rents space at Mount Zion, we are contractually obligated to follow their policy. Families will be notified about the status of this requirement in the June information letter sent by e-mail. Please note the refund deadlines, in case your family chooses to withdraw from camp.
Ages 6-12
Amazon Adventure – Week 1: JULY 8-12
AT ONE WITH NATURE
MORNING CLASSES | 8:30-11:45 AM
401 INSTRUMENT MAKING
Rain Forest Soundscape
The Amazonian basin is full of music made by birds, animals, and the sound of the tree canopy. Indigenous people have lived in Brazil for thousands of years in harmony with these sounds. Study some of the creatures that make this joyful noise, then work with an artist to make your own rainstick and flute using natural materials.
402 MASK MAKING
Spirits of the Rainforest
The art of maskmaking, rooted in the traditions of indigenous people who live in the Amazon rainforest region, is fast becoming a lost art. 
Work with artists Julie & Gustavo Boada to create your own mask inspired by those of indigenous people who still maintain a deep connection to nature.
403 CLAY
Dreaming of Amazonia
From Bahia to Minas Gerais, Brazil has many beautiful pottery traditions. Learn all about the ancient forms and patterns used by early and contemporary artists in these regions. Then, working with artist Lisa Himmelstrup, dig your hands into some clay and create colorful bowls and shakers inspired by the Amazonian rainforest. Additional $10 materials fee.
404 PUPPETRY
Journey South
Learn about the Fall journey south of Minnesota songbirds and the environmental challenges they face as they winter in the tropical rainforests. Join artist Laurie Witzkowski and create your favorite Brazilian birds using a variety of art media.
405 MIXED MEDIA
Rainforest Ecology
Each day, learn something new about the incredible diversity of animals and plants that live in the rainforest. 
Then work with artist Linda Jenson to construct a diorama of a rainforest, complete with birds, animals, and the canopy!
A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
AFTERNOON CLASSES | 12:30-3:45 PM
406 DANCE
A moving experience
The Portuguese began to colonize Brazil in the 1500’s. Join dancer Christopher Yaeger to learn dances that Portuguese arrivals might have danced in the 1500’s from the royal court to country dances. Then go wild and create simple costumes and be a part of a Brazilian Carnaval experience.
407 PUPPETRY/STORYTELLING
Bumba-Meu-Boi
Bumba-Meu-Boi is a comical and very popular folk drama brought to Brazil by the Portuguese in the 1700’s. The story is about the adventures of a prized bull. Join Gustavo Boada to create your own special 
puppet character for a Bumba-Meu-Boi performance.
408 ILLUSTRATION/STORYWRITING
Stories on a String
Often found hanging in Brazilian market stalls, stories on a string is based on the Portuguese literatura de cordel art form, which often featured exciting tales with illustrations, like “The Boy who Flew to the Moon,” or “The Cat with Two Heads.” Join artist Tara Fahey to make your own special little booklet, and create your own fantastic stories!
409 DRAWING AND PAINTING
Amazing Rainforest Creatures
Brazil is home to many different kinds of animals – everything from the three-toed sloth to the squirrel monkey to the poison dart frog! Artist Karen Anderson will help you learn a variety of drawing and painting techniques to create your rainforest masterpiece.
410 TEXTILES
Rainforest Inspirations
Taking inspiration from the colorful flowers and insects of the Amazon rainforest, work with Julie Boada to learn two textile techniques: weaving using a backstrap loom, and stenciling with fabric paint. Then create beautiful pieces to decorate your room.
410 JEWELRY
Amazonian Adornments
Feathers and beads, gold and silver! Brazilian jewelry is recognizable for its colorful variety of textures. Learn about some cultures that inspire 
the art of adornment Brazilian-style. Then work with Rebekah Crisanta de Ybarra to create your own unique pieces to gift or wear.
Celebrating Brazil – Week 2: JULY 15-19
MANY CULTURES, MANY VOICES
MORNING CLASSES | 8:30-11:45 AM
501 INSTRUMENT MAKING
Gourd-ious Music
Work with an artist to create instruments from gourds! Learn about Afro-Brazilian contributions to the music played with Capoeira, the martial art form that is famous in that country. Then make instruments inspired by your learnings. Additional $16 material fee.
502 MOVEMENT
Martial Arts Meets Dance
Originally Capoeira was developed by enslaved Africans in the Portuguese colonies of Brazil to defend themselves. Today Capoeira is an art form with elements of dance, music, and martial arts. Join Capoeira expert Guerreiro of Capoeira Minnesota, and learn the art of self-discipline and rules of engagement 
through this dynamic Afro-Brazilian tradition.
503 DRAWING & PAINTING
Postcards from Brazil
From vibrant rainforest landscapes to coastal seascapes to street scenes, life in Brazil is colorful and filled with a kind of indescribable energy. Work with an artist to look at modern Brazilian art work. 
Then learn basic color theory and create vibrant art works that capture the essence of Brazil.
504 MASK MAKING
Faces of the Rainforest
Colorful masks and face painting from the indigenous Yanomami people of Brazil show the cultural memory and traditions of the tribe. Work with artist Julie Boada to learn about the Yanomami and how they live in harmony with 
the rainforest, then make a mask inspired by their art.
505 PUPPETRY
Mamulengo Theater
Mamulengo is a type of hilarious puppet performance popular in North East Brazil, especially in the state of Pernambuco. Papier-mâché hand puppets with funny characters interact with the audience, making up stories about ordinary life experiences. Learn all about this Brazilian theater form, then work with artist Gustavo Boada to create your own puppet to entertain and engage your family and friends.
THE CARNIVAL CAPER
AFTERNOON CLASSES | 12:30-3:45 PM
506 MUSIC
Brazilian Drumming
The drum sets the beat for any Carnaval procession. Work with Batucada Do Norte’s own Tim O’Keefe to learn the rhythms of the drum that lead the Carnaval celebration. Then perform on your own drum and other percussion to open our Carnaval celebration.
507 STILT-WALKING
High Above the Crowd
No parade is a parade without stilt-walkers! This ancient art, found in African culture, 
came to South America and is part of the Brazilian Carnaval procession. Learn how to balance and walk tall on stilts high above the crowd in the Carnaval parade with artists Gustavo Boada and Angie Courchaine.
508 MIXED MEDIA
Brazilian Carnaval Costumes
The Rio de Janeiro Carnaval in southeastern Brazil is an annual celebration held before Easter. People dress in colorful costumes and balance huge headpieces on their heads as they walk the streets playing music and dancing. Join artist Julie Boada and make a colorful, flamboyant headpiece out of 
reuse items, feathers, and more, plus a costume to wear in our Carnaval parade.
509 CONSTRUCTION ARTS
Carnaval Parade Float
Work with artist Tara Fahey to create your own parade float in miniature for our Brazilian Carnaval celebration. Starting with a cardboard box, create a vehicle with moving wheels for your float. Add some paint, a bit of colored paper, and natural materials. Your float is ready to join the parade!
510 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Design Your Own Art Park
Did you know that a garden could be a work of art? Brazilian artist Roberto Brule Marx was a master of creating outdoor arts experiences through flowers, foliage and sculptures. Learn all about his ingenious designs, which were created for music, laughter and fun. Then work with artist Laurie Witzkowski to design your own botanical space and create a miniature version of it.
A Start With the Arts meets daily and offers 4-5 year-olds the opportunity for self-expression through singing, movement, drama, and art making. Activities are designed to 
heighten each child’s imagination while providing knowledge about Brazil through a cultural and artistic lens.
TUITION: $250 PER WEEK
Pre-school children ages 4-5 years register for “A Start with the Arts” offered morning only 8:30-11:30 AM Monday-Friday, both weeks.
