Summer is here — and so are youth summer art opportunities. Homer Council on the Arts has renamed the Homer Music Camp (which used to be Bluegrass Camp for Kids and Andrew Vait’s Rock/Pop Camp) to HomerARTS Camp, with the plan to grow, adding additional art offerings to the contemporary and traditional music classes that have been enjoyed by so many Homer youth over the years. 

This summer we are adding jazz, ceramics, art, dance and improvisational theatre to the class choices. The camp dates are June 16-20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., for youth ages 8-18 at West Homer Elementary. The camp will also offer classes and events to adults and the community. On Tuesday, June 17, there will be classes for adults, 7-9 p.m. at WHE. The campers and staff will do an Open Mic on Wednesday, June 18, at KBay Caffe. On Thursday, June 19, the staff will perform at Homer Council on the Arts at 7 p.m. And on Friday, the students’ closing performance is open to the public at 3:30 p.m. at West Homer Elementary.

In order to make the camp possible and offer financial assistance, we rely on grants and sponsorships. This year we are very excited to receive support from the Homer Foundation, Youth Advisory Committee with funding from YAC’s generous donors and the Sheldon Youth to Youth Fund. This school year, YAC consisted of Homer Middle School students who learned about philanthropy, volunteerism, and leadership during lunch meetings with HMS teacher/advisor Bonnie Jason, who also serves on the Homer Foundation board of trustees. The students processed the grant applications and participated in the decision making for the funding. Thank you to the Homer Middle School YAC Team.

Thank you to our local businesses that support the arts and our youth. Wells Fargo Bank continues to make a generous annual donation toward the HCOA youth summer programs. Harbor Enterprises, the parent company for Petro Marine, who owns Petro Express, was also very generous with their support of the HomerARTS Camp. Malone Insurance, a local Alaska insurance company, supports our youth camp, as does our local guiding service, True North Kayak Adventure. First National Bank donated funds specifically for financial assistance. Please take a moment to thank the owners and employees of these local businesses who value the quality of life we have here in Homer by supporting the arts and our youth. Thank you so much.

For more information about HomerARTS Camp, please call HCOA at 235-4288, or visit www.homerarts.org.

Gail Edgerly, executive director

Homer Council on the Arts