Bower Center for the Arts is a hub for artistic and creative activities. Whether you are interested in viewing artwork in the gallery, attending events and concerts, or just taking a class that helps you explore your creative side, we have a little bit of everything for everyone.
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JOIN US FOR A SUMMER OF CREATIVITY & FUN!
Give your young artist a summer to remember—one week (or five!) at a time.
Looking for a creative, inspiring, and unforgettable summer experience for your young artist? Bower Center for the Arts is excited to offer five week-long art camps designed to spark imagination, build skills, and bring joy to every camper. Each camp is led by passionate instructors and artists, and they are packed with hands-on activities, artistic exploration, and plenty of fun! Camps are $175 per week, with unique themes and opportunities tailored for a variety of ages and interests. Check out our exciting lineup below and find the perfect week (or weeks!) for your young creator.
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Safari Sketchers | June 2-6 | 8:30am-1:00pm | Ages 6-12 | $175
Instructors: Emilie Temeles, Dana Tickle, Ella Schmel
Let your child go wild with creativity! Safari Sketchers invites campers to dive into bold, hands-on art inspired by the animals and spirit of the safari. From textured portraits to imaginative habitats for extinct or made-up creatures, campers will explore recycled materials and out-of-the-box techniques to unleash their inner explorer. This is a fearless week of movement, imagination, and wildly original creations.
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NextGen Artists | June 9-13 | 8:30am-1:00pm | Ages 13-17 | $175
Instructors: Susan Bradburry, Peggy Markham, Judy Almond
Designed for middle and high school students, NextGen Artists is an advanced art camp experience focused on skill-building and creative development. Campers will explore plein air painting, master mosaic-making, and refine their techniques with guidance from experienced instructors. Whether building a portfolio or just growing as an artist, this camp offers the tools and inspiration to take their art to the next level.
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Threads, Beads, and Beyond | June 23-27 | 8:30am-1:00pm | Ages 6-12 | $175
Instructors: Emilie Temeles, Peggy Markham, Perri Mason
Fiber arts take center stage in this vibrant, hands-on camp! Campers will dive into needle felting, weaving, jewelry making, and more—right alongside the National Fiber Arts Exhibition at the Bower Center. Guest artist Sarah Buldoc will join for an inspiring artist chat, making this week a colorful blend of learning, making, and imaginative fiber fun.
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Once Upon an Art Camp | July 7-11 | 8:30am-1:00pm | Ages 6-12 | $175
Instructors: Dana Tickle, Linda Keltz
A perfect blend of fantasy and fine art, this storytelling-focused camp lets kids bring characters and tales to life through illustration, animation, and design. From modern twists on fairy tales to original anime-style characters, campers will explore the art of visual storytelling in exciting, interactive ways. Ideal for young dreamers who love to create their own worlds.
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Cosmic Colors | July 21-25 | 8:30am-1:00pm | Ages 6-12 | $175
Instructors: Dana Tickle, Kathy Graham
Blast off into a week of cosmic creativity! Campers will explore the universe through galaxy-inspired art, from swirling nebulas to DIY constellations. With creative movement activities and hands-on projects like the Eclipse Box and Illuminated Prints, this camp combines artistic adventure with space-age wonder. A stellar choice for curious, creative kids who love both science and art!
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New This Year: Afternoon Art Explorers!
Thanks to generous support from Centra and the Al Stroobants Foundation, we’re excited to introduce Art Explorers—a brand-new afternoon camp experience designed to extend the fun and creativity beyond the morning. These community-focused sessions include walking field trips and collaborative projects with amazing local partners like Bedford Urban Gardens, Noteworthy, and Bedford Get Together. Each week highlights a different community partner and a unique project, offering campers new ways to connect, create, and explore.
Art Explorers can be added on to any morning camp for a full-day experience, or enjoyed on their own for a week of afternoon-only fun. Sessions run Monday–Friday from 1–4 PM, align with the same age groups and dates as our morning camps, and are just $75 per week. Join us for five weeks of art, adventure, and community connection!
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Limited scholarships for camps are available. You can apply for scholarships HERE.
Too old for camp, but want to gift someone with a summer camp experience? We are gladly accepting donations to
Send a Kid to Camp through our Rod Adams Memorial Scholarship fund.
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Last chance to see this amazing exhibit!
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305 N. Bridge Street, Bedford, VA
540-586-4235
www.bowercenter.org
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