Monday was the start of the final summer session of The Grand Center for Arts and Culture’s Creativity Day Camp, which runs through Thursday, Aug. 4.

This is the sixth year The Grand has hosted creativity camp and once again, the day camp remains at full capacity.

The second session is attended by 20 students from kindergarten through seventh grade. The younger students take classes in the morning, with the older students taking art classes in the afternoon.

This session began with students learning basic techniques of drawing. Instructor Kay Brunett Martin taught students single-point perspective drawing. This involves drawing to simulate depth and perspective using parallel and perpendicular lines.

Staff photos by Clay Schuldt Elijah Lovig (left) and Camden Wendland (right) practice embroidery on a painting canvas as part of The Grand’s Creativity Day Camp. Lovig said he found the needlework to be soothing.

Martin said it can be difficult to master perspective drawing, but it is an important ability to learn.

“Kids always want to learn to draw better,” Martin said. “Some have a natural talent for it, but this is a skill they can learn and keep with them.”

Down in The Grand’s cellar studio, students worked on a unique form of embroidery art. The kids began with an animal sketch on a canvas that was partially painted. The animal was then outlined in a cross-stitching thread.

Instructor Ed Fornberg said it was a kind of embroidery piece with a mixture of elements. The purpose was to give a painting a three-dimensional element with added textures.

It was a different experience for many of the students were had experience painting, but not necessarily worked with a needle and thread.

There was a slight learning curve in place the first few stitches, but the kids caught on quickly. Day camper Elijah Lovig said he had not worked with thread before, but said he was enjoying the experience.

“It is very soothing,” he said.

The creativity day camp will return next summer. The Grand program manager Tamara Furth said the creativity camp is so popular, that a waiting list is needed.

The Grand plans to hold other youth art classes in the fall. These classes would be single-day events.

Those interested in day classes can check The Grand newsletter and website for updates.