When the Gibbes Museum opened in 1905, the nation celebrated what Charleston has always understood: the power of art – to inspire our imagination, heal our hurt, and nourish our souls.

Storybook Design Camp at the Gibbes

Each summer the Gibbes excitedly opens its doors to young artists, traditionally for ages 4-12. Over the past 3 years, we expanded our offerings to teens and feature more topical camps, like dyeing and working with textiles, for these older campers. This year, we’re excited to venture into even more teen and tween programming that includes a sold-out session of “Advanced Drawing Techniques” for ages 11-16, a Teen camp for ages 13-16 inspired by Black Refractions: Highlights from the Studio Museum in Harlem, and a African Dyeing Techniques for ages 10-14 with our summer visiting artist Kristy Bishop. We also can’t wait for “Illustration and Storybook Design” for ages 8-11 (almost sold out!) with Clare Pernice, author, illustrator, and education at the Museum of Illustration in New York. Meet Clare in this weeks’ blog post below.

This August I am excited to be teaching a storybook and illustration class! In this camp, participants will use their imagination, look at inspiring reference all around and discover insider information about creating picture books!

For my stories I find inspiration all around me. My first picture book Circus Girl is about my daughter, Mia. She and her brother, Oliver lived in Charleston. Oliver is also the inspiration for the companion book, Adventure Boy which will be published soon. This story has a sidekick character, who is none other than our mini dachshund, Milo the Magical.

Clare and Milo the Magical

I love to create and draw characters. My favorite art materials are colored pencils and watercolor paints. During the camp we will be working with these materials, plus collage and more. Participants will think up stories from fantasy to reality and take their ideas through character sketches, composition, sequential storytelling, color art and finally a sample of their picture book.

I am really looking forward to seeing all the characters and stories that will be created!

Happy summertime and see you soon!
– Clare Pernice

To register for the Storybook and Illustration Camp, please visit our website or call 843-722-2706 ext 237.

Top Image: Illustration project

Published June 20, 2019

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