Small Hands, Big Impact: Youth Art Camp Adds Color to Vergas

Julie Bruhn got the idea to start a kids’ art camp in Vergas after seeing a garden magazine article where a town put art pieces together for its community garden. Bruhn thought it would be a fun project to do in Vergas. 

“The overall mission was to try to connect kids with arts and community and promote that sense of community pride and beautification,” said Bruhn, who coordinates the camp with a friend. “The kids are so proud of what they put up.It really integrates how important art is to a community.” 

The annual camp geared toward youth started seven years ago downtown before eventually moving to the event center. Art projects are done at the event center, then the art is displayed downtown from June until Labor Day. They’ll look to complete their eighth art project this summer.

The camp is for kids up to 16 years old. 67 kids came to the inaugural camp, and now they average between 110 and 120 kids. Each year, a new painting project is selected. Last year, it was maple leaves. The first year was fish, and they’ve also done loons, butterflies, and birdhouses. Kids choose their paints and brushes, and they work on their projects separately. Kids create art with plenty of their own individual touches. Their final products are labeled with their first name, last initial, age, and the city they live in. 

The final art project is on display in the middle of town between the post office and the liquor store for the community and visitors to view. Adding some art on display in town is something so simple that has turned out to be very fun. 

Once the art is on display, onlookers can identify who produced the art, which has been a fun part of the project, too, Bruhn shared. Kids also enjoy identifying their own work within the larger project. Bruhn said she hears plenty of compliments from community members about the projects each year. 

“I just think it really integrates our youth into the community,” Bruhn said.