Pottery and Art Summer Camps

This will be the 13th year holding summer camps at Wheel Art Pottery Studio!

Located in a beautiful 100+ year old warehouse in Peoria's Warehouse District. 

Instuctors Jacob Grant and Kyla Cadwell co-teach this Camp. 

The clay/pottery instructor for the camps will be Master Potter Jacob Grant.  Jacob is the owner of Wheel Art and has over 25 years of experience in clay and over 20 years of experience teaching art to people of all ages and walks of life. Jacob attended Bradley University for his M.F.A., worked and taught for several Peoria institutions, such as the former Lakeview Museum (now Peoria Riverfront Museum), and the Peoria Art Guild.  Grant has displayed and sold his work around the world since 2000 at farmer's markets (Charleston IL Farmer's Market), art fairs and festivals (Peoria Fine Art Fair 2008, 2009, 2010), through private commissions (Four Seasons Washington D.C., Portabello, Walt Disney World, Fl.), large indoor expositions (American Craft Exposition), galleries (Salzbrand, Germany), museums (Peoria Riverfront Museum). 

Kyla Cadwell will teach students to work in other mediums seperate from, and also to compliment our projects in the clay. Each week will have its own theme, which you can read more about in the camp descriptions below.  Kyla is a passionate creator with over 15  years of experience in art education. She studied art at both Illinois Central College and Bradley University, which included learning ceramics from  Jacob in 2010. She has taught art to people of all ages, in many settings, including at Montessori School of Peoria, Peoria Lakeview Museum, the 21st Century Program, Cornerstone Academy of Performing arts and most recently here at Wheel Art Pottery Studios and through her art class business Art with Kyla.  Kyla's peaceful approach to teaching takes inspiration from her own experiences in creativity, the work on Maria Montessori and her extensive studies on principles of art therapy. In her personal work, Kyla is a multidiscplinary artist who is inspired by nature and is constantly finding her way back to wild and primitive ways of creating beauty. 

Jacob and Kyla share a teaching philosophy that creativity is best learned through independent experimentation and trial and error, alongside the guiding belief that humans learn best when they have agency over their unique creative path. 

In a fun and entertaining way, campers will learn some science about what clay is, where it comes from, how it becomes a finish ceramic object and what it means for a pot to be truly "functional." 

Campers will learn the correct basics, and work on developing the correct skills of making pottery using both hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques.  Yet focus is never on the finished piece.  Grant's distinct style of teaching encourages students to learn through "play." With his years of experience teaching, Jacob has come to understand people learn much quicker and enjoy the process more if they embrace making mistakes and learning from them.  Jacob gives students time to try the techniques he demonstrates, encouraging them to try and fail, and to "make a big mess." After time, he will give students assistance, when and if needed, to create objects the children are happy with and will enjoy for years.

Each camp has a different focus of forms created.  We also play games and have time set aside for hanging out/playing/fellowshipping with other campers. 

Campers will take hikes through the Peoria Warehouse District. They will learn about the relevance of these buildings to Peoria's rich history and the significance of Peoria, itself.

Students will create 1-2 keepable clay pieces each camp day, that stay at the studio, have finish work, glazing and firings done to them, and are picked up at a later date.  Functional forms created will be food-safe, dishwasher-safe, microwave safe. 

Campers will also experience other media through projects provided by Art with Kyla. See descriptions of activities offered at each camp below.

Campers need to bring a lunch every day except for the last day (we do a pizza party). 

Camp 251-Clay and Drawing Ages 5-17. June 2-6, 2025, 9am-3pm Daily. $250 Early Bird Special until March 31. $300 after March 31.

In this camp students will learn to draw animals, architecture, faces and more, using graphite, charcoal and pastels. Campers will learn to draw from a reference photo, use linear and atmospheric perspective, sight measure and much more! Students will also learn draw on their clay pieces and create beautiful relief carvings. Participants will also have the opportunity to make and use their own charcoal. We will be inspired in our drawings by famous artists and art movements throughout history. Young artists of all levels of experience will enjoy Kyla's relaxing, fun and practical approach to this challenging art form.

Camp 252-Clay and Repurposed/Found Art: Ages 5-17. June 9-13, 2025, 9am-3pm Daily. $250 Early bird discount until March 31. $300 after March 31.

Come take a journey into the art of assemblage! This camp will give students the opportunity to create beautiful art from found and recycled items. Campers will learn inventive methods for turning found objects into works of two and three-dimensional art. We will use treasures from nature, as well as thrifted and discarded household items to create sculpture, wall hangings and functional items. Students will learn about adhesives and a wide variety of other materials while exploring color, form and elements of design.

Camp 253-Clay and Painting: Ages 5-17. June 16-20, 2025, 9am-3pm Daily. $250 Early Bird Special until March 31. $300 after March 31.

During this camp students will work with both watercolor and acrylic paints to learn technical painting skills. Campers will elevate their knowledge of color mixing, color theory and learn about the elements of design. We will discuss how to plan a painting, work from a reference photo, and to paint in stages. Students will have the unique opportunity to learn to paint on bisque-fired pottery with red iron oxide to create beautiful, watercolor-style ceramic wall hangings. Students will also be inspired by learning about influential painters and art movements throughout history. Students will finish the week by painting a final masterpiece in the medium and style of their choice.

Camp 254-Clay and Nature Art: Ages 5-17. June 23-27, 2025, 9am-3pm Daily. $250 Early Bird Special until March 31. $300 after March 31.

Calling all nature lovers! During this camp we will make various types of artwork using natural materials. Participants will make natural inks, weave with plants, print with the sun, make their own charcoal sticks for drawing and more! Learn about responsible harvesting, ecosystems, and new amazing scientific discoveries about our plant friends.

Camp 255-Clay and Fiber Arts: Ages 5-17. June 30-July 2, 9am-3pm Daily. $150 Early Bird Special until March 31. $180 after March 31.

This 3-day camp provides an exploration of a variety of fiber arts. Students will learn artistic embroidery, weaving and make art with a sewing machine. Not only will we explore these different mediums, but we will also be discussing and considering color choices, elements of design. Children will also learn the significance of the folk arts and about influential fiber artists.

Camp 256-Clay and Process Art: Ages 5-17. July 7-11 2025, 9am-3pm Daily. $250 Early Bird Special until March 31. $300 after March 31.

This camp is all about creating art using interesting and unique methods. Students will learn fun techniques using a wide variety of mediums. We will practice curiosity, bravery and find joy in the messiness with activities such as paint pouring, water gun art, and sun printing. Scientific principles will come into play for many of the projects, as well as elements of design and color theory. While the main focus of this camp will be exploring processes of creating, students will also make beautiful and keepable artwork.

Please fill out the form below to apply to register for the camp of your choice.