ArtsConnect in Springfield Township is hosting classes on welding, sewing and more

ArtsConnect—a Springfield Township program that provides access to the arts—offers a variety of classes for kids and adults, like sewing, blacksmithing and more. This summer’s course offerings and camps aim to allow people to reconnect after a year in quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have heard time and time again that [people] are just relieved to get back into an art space. They have this sense of joy,” says Kimberlee Flamm, ArtsConnect executive director. “For so long, people have experienced mild bits of depression, and getting back into an art center or getting back to seeing outdoor events, it just kind of renews your spirit. It brings happiness to people, and we’ve had a lot of people just saying thank you for being open and that they feel so much better.”

ArtsConnect started in 2013 and began operating in the Springfield Township Senior Community Center. In January 2020, the center closed for remodeling and reopened in July the same year as the Springfield Township Arts Center with ArtsConnect doing all of the programming, Flamm says.

“We just want to engage people through the arts, give them something enjoyable, give them a really great experience and allow them to create and express themselves artistically,” Flamm says.

One of the summer programs is Art Camp, running from June 7 through Aug. 13. Each camp session is a week long and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids aged 7-13 will be able to make a variety of arts and crafts projects while learning about the week’s camp theme.

There are nine themes for the summer art camp: Puppets Galore, Have Passport Will Travel, Wonder Wheels, Color Explosion!, Night at the Museum, Zoom In, Fashion Fun, Invention Convention and Get Spacey.

Each camp theme is unique in its activities and crafts. For example, in Puppets Galore campers will learn the basics of puppetry and make their own puppets and in Get Spacey campers will make space-themed art projects based on astronauts, planets, stars, rockets and aliens.

Due to COVID-19, class sizes have been reduced to 15 kids per class. There is no deadline for registering but camps fill up fast.

Flamm says parents and other community members are excited about the summer camps and other programs because they want to get back to normal. However, ArtsConnect’s goal is always to create a more vibrant community through the arts.

“We’ve seen, in our community, the impact of the arts has been extremely positive. It brings people together. It bridges any kind of cultural divides. It’s shared space that everybody feels comfortable in and there’s always a happy result,” Flamm says.