Back to Camp with Pocket Utopia

by Liza Eliano on July 14, 2010 Events

Camp Pocket Utopia at sunset, 2010. Rouses Point, New York, image by Norman Jabaut

Camp always sounded like my idea of personal hell, but maybe art camp is a different story. For the last two weeks of July, Norte Maar presents Camp Pocket U, a social school and arts camp in Rouses Point, NY based on the Black Mountain College model that placed art at the center of education. Black Mountain College closed in 1957, but Camp Pocket U creators Jason Andrew, Norte Maar’s director, and Austin Thomas plan to keep the college’s spirit alive. From Norte Maar’s website:

At the center of this unique project will be invited artists with distinguished reputations in their field. These invited artists will be in residence in Rouses Point for the duration of the art camp. They will not only be making art during their stay but will also be instructors. The selection of artists include painters and sculptors, musicians and choreographers, scientists, historians, and others both local and foreign.

Camp activities include free classes in dance, drawing, ethics, knitting, mural-making, and word play (can you really take a class in that?), plus special guest lectures by Jen Dalton and Rico Gatson and nightly “planetary, cosmic speeches” guided by artist and Famous Accountants founder, Kevin Regan. Things kick off  on July 21st with an opening ceremony and art exhibition. Of course no camp experience is complete without some “friendly” competition and questionable food. This one’s got a 100-yard dash, pancake breakfast, and the sweet possibility of eating an “awesome cheap grilled cheese at the Best Friends Dinner.” Pre-registration is required at nortemaar.org or by email at ats@toast.net

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