Children will have the opportunity to get creative and learn from local artists with week-long art camps this summer.

The city of Selma Ceramic Art Program is open for 2016 Art Camp registration. Two camps are available: June 13-17 and July 11-15. Camps will be held Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. – noon.

“We try to expose them to a lot of different aspects of art and mostly just let them create something,” said ceramics specialist Cindy Stoudenmire. “Which is very good for them.”

Admission is a $125 non-refundable fee per student. Lunch and snacks are included.

There isn’t a deadline for registration, but parents are encouraged to enroll their children early as possible because of limited enrollment space and spots go fast. Each camp can only accommodate 60 children.

The camps will be held at the Dallas County Academy Building located at the intersection of Selma Avenue and Church Street. The classroom entrance is located on the ground level of the building, facing the rear parking lot.

Children will be able to create at least eight projects during the week spanning from sculpture, ceramics, painting, drawing and more with the guidance of local artists including Cindy Stoudenmire, Vicky Stoudenmire and Charlie Lucas.

Cindy said making art is good for unexpected learning.

“They’re not here for a lecture class, they’re here to have fun and you can have fun and learn at the same time. Sometimes you just don’t know you’re learning,” she said.

Cindy said it is important for children to remain creative, as they get older.

“The problem is, as they become older they become more critical of themselves and then they quit [creating art]. Anytime you create something with art, it opens your mind,” Cindy said. “They need to see something with their eyes, process it with their brain and put it back out through their hands.”

Some projects in the past include three-dimensional letters, ornaments, clay bugs, spooling, painted leaf molds and others.

For more information about the camp, call 412-8550, 874-2143 or 875-2193.