We started Summer Camp with a bang here at VanCo!

Our first week of summer art camps began with introduction to oil painting. Students first exercise was a value scale and then grisaille painting. A couple students painted the Apple & Pear as they learned various techniques and how to control oil paints while advanced students worked on still lifes.  

Recently, our Instructor Coleen took a trip back to Boston's Acorn Gallery School of Art to celebrate its 20 year anniversary. Coleen enjoyed over 14 years of art education at Acorn and couldn't miss such an amazing opportunity to reunite with owners Jack and Debra Highberger. 

The school has spent 20 years providing an artistic environment for students of all ages and so students of all ages were in attendance. Some from as far away as California! 

Many of those kids Coleen studied along side went onto become art instructors, gallery owners, and art handlers. In appreciation of Acorn, the adult students surprised Jack and Debra with a dedicated park bench right outside the school facing the wharf.

It was such an amazing experience for the Coleen to visit Boston for the anniversary because her vision for VanCo School of Art is to flourish and one day be just as impactful as Acorn has been for the Boston community. She's experienced first hand how important an art environment is to help children and adults artistic abilities thrive.

To 20 more years Acorn!

The CoCo Artist Studio, which is owned by Coleen, showcased about 15 students art pieces during May's Fort Collins Gallery Walk. The students chose their individual pieces from works they had previously completed while attending VanCo and new students had their first ever oil painting of the Apple and Pear for a visually stunning display.

The art show displayed the work of paintings of all levels and ages, our youngest student being 5 years old up to our adult students. It was a great chance for students to see their work up on the walls of a gallery, to see what their peers where doing in other classes  and gave many new students hope and inspiration for their creative ability. 

Our schools curriculum has students first start with an apple and pear, and then a vase still life. Once students complete those two paintings they have the option to paint whatever themes they would like: animals, portraits, landscapes, and the list goes on.  The art show really gave students a visual of where they begin and what they can achieve. The excitement from each student who ran into the gallery to see their works and proudly point them out to their families was inspiring to all attendees! 

Thank you to our students who participated: Iris, Ruby, Cynthia, Maddie, Josie, Aidan, Will, Heather Jackson, Jean Overholt, Amelie, Lauren, Megan, Anna, Piper, Saule, Tessa, & Denise.