PowayNewsChieftan
06-Aug-2000 Thursday

At first it appears that several surgical teams, rapt in concentration, are busy at work, collaborating over their various "patients".  One "doctor" carefully dips a plaster gauze strip into warm water and gently places it onto the victims face.  As he  smoothes it into place, a teammate readies another strip.  Thus they continue until the face is covered.

The "surgeons" are actually Art Start art camp participants, creating a life cast of a classmates face under the guidance of artist Susan Bainbridge.  The "patient" relaxes and waits, possibly drifting off to the strains of Beethoven filling the room.  After 5 -10 minutes, a team member checks the  rigidity of the bandages and determines it is ready.  The young "victim" can now sit up and behold a mask of his face which has slid into his hands,  "Awesome!  I wanna do another one!"

A few days later, a flurry of paint and collage materials fills the room as the campers embellish their masks.  Each artist has their own unique vision.  One girl loves cats and has added pointed ears to her mask and is painting it in rainbow colors.  She will add wire whiskers and glass "gems" as a final touch.  Another student gleans ideas from posters of African masks decorating the room.  He paints his masks in earthy reds and browns then cuts triangles of brass foil which he glues on in rows.  He follows this with rows of cowry shells, clumps of raffia for hair and metal washers for  eyes.

As the masks are set aside to dry, students gather up and finish projects created over the week.  Some, donning the shirts they have tie-dyed, are drawing in their sketchbooks.  One group adds the last few beads to necklaces while others spread out origami paper and fold cranes and various animals.  A child asks for help as she attempts to draw her favorite cartoon characters.

Parents begin to arrive and their children rush to greet them, masks held high with pride.   Another week of art camp is coming to a close.  Many of these students return to Art Start mini art camp year after year, amassing quite a collection of expressive masks - a visual testimony of each child's physical and artistic growth.

The City of Poway will be offering  the Art Start Art Camp for the eighth summer this July.  It is the creation of  Susan Bainbridge who teaches children's art classes in Poway throughout the year.  Her programs are popular with parents as well as students.

"She impressed me with her ability to teach artistic technique and concepts to young children,"  says Monica Preumal whose daughter  Zara studied under Ms. Bainbridge.  "She encourages creativity.... and treats children with gentle respect."

Students ages 6 to 14 can enroll in one or more of the four different week long sessions.   Camp meets from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday starting July 10, 17, 24 and 31  in the historic Porter House at Old Poway Park  on 14134 Midland Road  in Poway .  The fee is $90 for Poway residents and $95 for others.  A $30 supply fee and a washed cotton t-shirt should be brought to the first class.  Sponsored by the city of Poway.  Contact Poway Community Services regarding registration  at 679-4343.