Art Adventure Camp 2026
For the second summer in a row Paint Love is teaming up with the Museum of Design Atlanta to offer two weeks of Art Adventure Camp! And this year, the two Paint Love x MODA mural camps will take place at Paint Love's studio in Decatur's Legacy Park.
Art Adventures: Mural Makers (ages 6-9) running from June 8-12
Art Adventures: Public Art in Motion (ages 10-13) running from July 13-17
Dive into the world of large-scale public art and explore how murals, installations, and creative placemaking shape the design and identity of a community!
Through a week filled with hands-on projects and outdoor exploration, campers will consider how public art reflects community values, invites participation, and sparks joy.
They'll also get behind-the-scenes experience as artists planning and communicating their ideas - from sketching concepts to artistic collaboration.
Learn more about:
Art Adventures: Mural Makers (ages 6-9) running from June 8-12
Art Adventures: Public Art in Motion (ages 10-13) running from July 13-17
Campers will learn to:
Learn about the design process behind painted murals and public installations
Experiment with printmaking, sculpture, and photography using professional tools
Explore the role of movement and environment in art
Collaborate on a permanent, public-facing community art installation at Legacy Park in Decatur
At the end of the week, parents and caregivers are invited for a showcase of the campers’ creations!
The History of Summer of Wonder (2022-2024)
Imagination flourished and creativity knew no bounds in Paint Love’s Summer of Wonder Art Camp - which ran from 2022-2024 (and will restart in 2026!). Led by Paint Love educators and artists, each week of camp included daily movement and intentional community building to welcome kids into exploring their own creative process and practice social-emotional skill building. We got messy, had fun, and made new friends all while creating together. Campers learned how to think a little more intentionally about how their selves and stories shape and are shaped by art and how to put their creative brains to use as good stewards of the relationships and spaces we share.
During six weeks of summer programming, Paint Love offered three art-centric themes, each repeated twice: Storytellers Camp, Nature Explorers Camp, and Movers & Makers Camp. We invited campers to try new types of artistic experiences, share their voices, and forge meaningful connections with their peers.
Each year, between 50-65% of our campers relied on financial aid including full and partial scholarships, made possible by our BOOST funding. We also offered after care and transportation solutions. In 2024 we joined forces with the DeKalb County Office of Youth Services to offer additional vouchers, ensuring that every child could enjoy the magic of camp, free from the weight of financial concerns. Starting in 2022, Paint Love partnered with local restaurant Whiskey Bird to serve hundreds of nourishing lunches, family style, ensuring all campers broke bread together.
What makes our summer camp experience different?
Social Emotional Skills
We've got it down to a science! Paint Love's professional teaching artists follow our unique model, engaging youth through movement and creativity to use art to process emotions and experiences and empower them to share their story.
Independence
Each session will incorporate directed "creation time" for youth to create freely - no cookie cutter step-by-step directions here. Teaching artists are there to help, but youth will have time to get into their creative zone and focus on something tactile - off a screen. Being able to make choices and take creative control and ownership is an important part of our empowering model.
Safe + Fun
We’re pros at keeping kids and groups safe with temperature checks, sanitized supplies, small groups, and getting outside as much as possible. We’re also pros at creating a fun environment that gives kids - and adults- time and freedom to play - something we could all use more of!
Staff are background checked, trained teaching artists, and fully Covid-19 vaccinated (+boosters)!
All supplies included
We will provide everything you need - yoga mats, snacks, and art supplies. Just bring a lunch and a water bottle for all programs.
Intentional Themes
Age- appropriate themes will drive each session. Paint Love Summer Camp will challenge everyone to think about big issues in a safe space, and not only teach campers new art techniques and skills, but expand their ability to think creatively and take positive action in their lives.
Building Community
Small groups offer opportunity for meaningful connection after more than a year of virtual learning and working for many. We also build community through diversity-celebrating themes and ensuring accessibility for all through scholarships.
Adult resources
Access to resources for parents and caregivers with guidance on using art to start conversations about hard topics with kids and teens, and self-care and creative stress relief for adults will be available for all participants.