CF’s Appleton Museum of Art announces 2026 Summer Art Camp schedule

Registration is now open for the Appleton’s highly anticipated Summer Art Camp — Ocala’s biggest art camp program, offering a full schedule of one- and two-week, half-day camps for ages 5-17.

Beginning the week of June 1, campers can choose from 29 themed camps designed to build real artistic skills while exploring a wide variety of media, like drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media. From celebrating the USA’s 250th birthday to fairytale-inspired adventures, clay creations, and glow-in-the-dark fun, each camp combines imagination with hands-on techniques in a supportive studio environment. It’s never too early to start planning for an art-filled summer!

New this year, early care is available from 8-9 a.m., beginning the week of July 6. Due to popular demand, additional camps have also been added for ages 5-7.

Need-based scholarships for campers are available. Scholarship application can be found at AppletonMuseum.org and submitted beginning Monday, Apr. 13.

“The Appleton provides a world-class museum environment for summer art camps,” said Jason Steuber, Appleton director. “With more than a century of combined teaching experience, our instructors offer exceptional guidance, and camps fill quickly each year. Students work with high-quality art materials as they build real skills and create their own masterpieces. It’s the perfect balance of summer learning and fun.”

Summer Art Camp is appropriate for all skill levels; no experience is necessary. Register now at AppletonMuseum.org. Discounts are available for current Appleton members at the Family/Dual Level or above. For questions about Summer Art Camp, contact AppletonEducation@cf.edu.

2026 Summer Art Camp Schedule

June 1-5

• Once Upon a Time (Ages 5-7), 9 a.m.-noon
  It’s a fairytale week — think queens and kings, castles, dragons, mythical forests and magical quests. $150 for Appleton members; $180 for nonmembers. Instructor: Vanessa Zumba Gonzalez.
• Paints and Prints – (Ages 8-12), 1-4 p.m. Dive into the world of painting and printmaking! Experiment with paints while learning color mixing, brush control, texture and layering. On the printmaking side, explore fun processes such as stamping, relief prints, form or cardboard printing and simple mono-prints. $150 for Appleton members; $180 for nonmembers. Instructor: Maritzabel Jauregui-Rodriguez

June 8-12

• Art Detective – A (Ages 5-7), 9 a.m.-noon
  Become an art detective at camp this week. Learn to spot clues in artwork to uncover the secrets of how artists pull off artistic magic tricks on canvas. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Kio Weber-Lee
• Art Detective – B (Ages 5-7), 9 a.m.-noon
  Become an art detective at camp this week. Learn to spot clues in artwork to uncover the secrets of how artists pull off artistic magic tricks on canvas. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Tasha Strigle
• People, Places and Things (Ages 13-17), 1-4 p.m.
  Learn to observe the world around you and transform what you see into art. Explore drawing, painting and design as you create artwork inspired by people, places and everyday objects. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Lisa Russo

June 15-19

• Groovy and Glowing – A (Ages 5-7), 9 a.m.-noon
  Experiment with fluorescent paints and markers as you create bold, eye-catching designs. Focus on color, pattern, and creativity, then watch your artwork come to life as it glows under black light. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Kio Weber-Lee
• Groovy and Glowing – B (Ages 5-7), 9 a.m.-noon
  Experiment with fluorescent paints and markers as you create bold, eye-catching designs. Focus on color, pattern, and creativity, then watch your artwork come to life as it glows under black light. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Melle Broaderick
• Painting Possibilities (Ages 8-12), 1-4 p.m.
  Spend a week discovering new painting techniques while creating with acrylics, watercolor and mixed media. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Elisa Adelman-Rodriguez

June 22-26

• Space Cadet – A (Ages 5-7), 9 a.m.-noon
  Calling all intergalactic explorers — prepare for lift off! You’re headed to a galaxy of your own creation in a miniature space vehicle you design. Your artwork will be out of this world! $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Maritzabel Jauregui-Rodriguez
• Space Cadet – B (Ages 5-7), 9 a.m.-noon
  Calling all intergalactic explorers — prepare for lift off! You’re headed to a galaxy of your own creation in a miniature space vehicle you design. Your artwork will be out of this world! $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Kio Weber-Lee
• Mini Art (Ages 8-12), 1-4 p.m.
  Big creativity comes in tiny sizes! Explore the world of miniature art by creating small-scale paintings, sculptures, and tiny mixed-media projects. Using detail-focused techniques and imaginative materials, young artists learn that even the smallest artwork can tell a big story. Perfect for artists who love precision, imagination, and hands-on fun. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Tasha Strigle

June 29-July 3

• Color Carnival (Ages 5-7), 9 a.m.-noon
  What’s your favorite color? Celebrate color and creativity this week as you explore fun, hands-on art projects using a variety of materials and plenty of vibrant color! $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Vanessa Zumba-Gonzalez
• Star-Spangled Art (Ages 8-12), 9 a.m.-noon
  Join us for a fun, creativity-packed art camp that celebrates imagination through a red, white and blue lens. Campers will explore a variety of art forms — drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media — while being inspired by American symbols, history, landmarks and heroes. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Jeanne Baines
• America the Beautiful (Ages 8-12), 1-4 p.m.
  Celebrate the landscapes, symbols and stories of the United States. Through drawing, painting, collage, and mixed media, campers will explore what makes America unique. Projects may be inspired by famous American artists, wildlife, and the natural beauty found across the country. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Jeanne Baines

July 6-10

• Meet the Artist (Ages 8-12), 9 a.m.-noon
  Through art and stories, pint-sized Picassos will be introduced to a new artist each day and experience a variety of materials while making art. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Ashley Condie
• Funky Sculpture (Ages 8-12), 1-4 p.m.
  Do you like to make 3D art? Work with an assortment of fun and unconventional materials this week to make sculptures. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: E. Marie Fielding

July 6-17 (Two-Week Camp)

• Dig Into Clay (Ages 8-12), 9 a.m.-noon
  In this two-week camp, learn the basics of hand building with clay and the art of glazing. Pinch pot, coil pot and slab construction will be used to make fun pieces to take home. $300 Appleton members; $360 nonmembers. Instructor: Jamie Roche

July 13-17

• Glow Up (Ages 5-7), 9 a.m.-noon
  Unleash your creativity as you craft art that pops and glows under black light. Watch your artwork light up the dark! $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Ashley Condie
• Outdoor Painting (Ages 13-17), 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Off-site at CF Vintage Farm
  Leave the classroom behind and explore CF’s Center for Agricultural Innovation at Vintage Farm as your painting studio. We’ll take portable easels and paints outside to practice your painting skills “en plein air,” or, in the open air. Please note, the class also may work indoors, depending upon the weather. $170 Appleton members; $200 nonmembers. Instructor: Jordan Shapot
• Imagine Asia (Ages 8-12), 1-4 p.m.
  Get inspired by the world’s largest continent and create art influenced by a variety of Asian cultures. Paint a fan with ink, print decorative tile designs, and more. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: E. Marie Fielding

July 20-24

• Critter Fun (Ages 5-7), 9 a.m.-noon
  Cute, cuddly, and even creepy animals are the focus this week. Using a variety of materials to make art you’ll go home with your own zoo collection. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Melle Broaderick
• Magic Makers (Ages 8-12), 9 a.m.-noon
  Journey into the world of mythical and magical creatures. Make imaginative works of art based on stories and tales, creating your own artistic versions of the Kraken, mermaids, and phoenixes. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Hillary Ovalle
• Artsy Science (Ages 8-12), 1-4 p.m.
  Creative and curious about your world? Engage in hands-on activities that combine creative art with scientific concepts like color, motion and pattern. Learn about Escher’s tessellations, Calder’s mobiles and the science of color. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Deborah Horvath

July 27-31

• Shells and Sandcastles (Ages 5-7), 9 a.m.-noon
  This week, create art influenced by the secrets of the sea. Imagine yourself snorkeling through the beautiful water — what treasures would you discover? Make a sandcastle, fish prints and create art with shells. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Melle Broaderick
• Animal-topia (Ages 8-12), 9 a.m.-noon
  Run wild in this colorful adventure where creativity meets the animal kingdom! Each day focuses on a different habitat of Animal-topia (jungle, ocean, savanna, arctic, or fantasy land). $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Michelle Wetz
• Fantastic Voyages (Ages 8-12), 1-4 p.m.
  Blast off into outer space and dive deep beneath the waves in this imagination-packed art camp! Young artists become explorers as they create dazzling artwork inspired by distant galaxies and mysterious ocean worlds. No passport required, just creativity. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Michel Yeuell

August 3-7

• Cats and Dogs (Ages 5-7), 9 a.m.-noon
  Calling all animal lovers! Celebrate your favorite furry friends through playful, hands-on art projects. Campers will explore drawing, painting and mixed media while creating adorable cats, goofy dogs, paw prints, pet portraits and imaginative animal scenes. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Veronica Eason
• Pharaohs and Pyramids (Ages 8-12), 9 a.m.-noon
  Imagine sailing down the Nile River and discovering Egyptian art from the time of the pharaohs! What might you find inside the pyramids — mummies, masks, or even a sarcophagus? Create your own ancient-inspired treasures as you explore history and art this week. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Michel Yeuell
• Pixels and Blocks (Ages 8-12), 1-4 p.m.
  Grab inspiration from your favorite block-based video game in a world of pixels, blocks, creativity and imagination! Build your own universe while exploring new art techniques with like-minded enthusiasts. $150 Appleton members; $180 nonmembers. Instructor: Deborah Horvath

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month. A campus of the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.