She has played a key role in reshaping visual arts programs in two Illinois school districts, including the successful implementation of Advanced Placement Studio Art. Her contributions extend beyond the classroom as she was appointed to the National Prismacolor Advisory Council in June 2011. Currently teaching at Rockford Jefferson High School, Mrs. Stockton leads the Advanced Placement Studio Art program and serves as the teacher leader of the Business Academy. Since 2001, she has also directed the Visual Arts Camp, offering young artists an opportunity to hone their craft in a nurturing and creative environment.
- Office of External Programs
- Summer in the Arts
- Visual Arts Camp
Visual Arts Camp

July 6-11, 2025 Grades 8-12 (grade completion)
About Visual Arts Camp
If you're excited about art, we invite you to challenge yourself in a variety of art media at our Visual Arts Camp. You'll experiment with new materials and techniques while producing portfolio-quality work.
You'll also experience:
- Group art and recreation activities.
- Performance art presentations.
- Presentations by nationally known artists, art historians and studio artists.
You'll stay in Gilbert Hall during camp. Your experience will end with an art show open to your friends and family. All campers will receive a camp t-shirt!
What to Bring
- Comfortable/sturdy walking shoes or sandals
- Note: flip-flops should only be used in the residence hall.
- Umbrella or rain gear
- Mosquito repellent
- Sweatshirt
- Alarm clock
- Water bottle
- Sheets and pillowcase (standard twin size)
- Towels, blanket, pillow
- Small amount of money for souvenirs and snacks
- Old clothes for studio work
Activities
You'll attend two studio classes each day. When you register, you'll indicate your choices for classes. The class content changes every year, providing new experiences for both new and returning students. There is limited space in each class, and classes with insufficient enrollment may be canceled.
In addition to studio classes, you'll enjoy presentations by accomplished guest speakers as they share their career paths in the visual arts. You will receive your studio assignments at camp check-in.
- Drawing Realism – Becki Miller
Using a variety of drawing materials, campers will build mixed media still-life drawings replicating realistic imagery that addresses both composition and concept. Techniques are explored that allow artists to render images expressively or precisely, using layers of ink, colored pencil and graphite. Mark making, visual texture and subtle gradations will be a focus. - Portraits in Acrylic – Tim Roloff
Students will explore portraiture and personal narrative as they combine traditional and experimental painting techniques to create expressive self-portraits on canvas. Color and textures will be addressed specific to acrylic techniques. - Painting with Pastel – Ashley Martinez
Students will be introduced to the responsive and subtle surfaces created by pastel. Using artist quality hard and soft pastels, this class will explore developing transitional layers of color to build smooth surfaces as well as expressive mark-making. Imagery options will include portraiture and still-life. - Creating with Color – Samantha Haring
Explore unexpected and inventive uses of color in drawing. Students learn to build visually powerful surfaces with color in both representational and non-traditional ways. Using chalk pastels, we will play with a variety of color palettes to express different symbolic and personal ideas. - Figure Sculpting- April Macatangay
Students will learn accurate human proportions and how to sculpt the human form with modeling clay. This class includes experimenting with sculpting muscle structures, clothing, textures and different postures to create figures that show depth and narrative. - Comic Art/Graphic Novels – Abigail Krodel
Students will illustrate their own stories using drawing and design techniques associated with comic art. Illustration tools, techniques and materials will be introduced, practiced and applied as students create finished graphic novels or "zines". - Experimental Drawing Practices – John Zilewicz
Exploring a multitude of media, methods and techniques, students will use unconventional approaches to drawing to develop creative and imaginative approaches to art making. Skill building as well as producing works based on chance will allow students to examine the possibilities of mark-making, space and surface. - Photography: Lighting – Amy Luerhs and Emma Vitalo
Explore photography as an art form that tells stories and addresses concepts through lighting. Using personal phones or iPads, the photo assignments in this class will challenge students to create images that address composition and value scale as they progress from the photo shoot through the editing process. Students will gain experience using LED lights in the lighting studio.
- Printmaking – Alexis Estrada
Students will explore a variety of printmaking techniques and experiences. The focus of this class will be to develop a series of prints as students work in the NIU printmaking studio. Drawing and illustration techniques will be emphasized along with concept development. - Drawing and Design Exploration – Courtney Haugdahl
This class is designed for individuals to explore design and drawing practices. Work is guided by student-driven ideas with step-by-step guidance. Developing existing skills or practicing new skills, students will create works based on student interests. - Acrylic Painting – Marisol Cervantes
Learning traditional and expressive acrylic painting techniques, students will create dynamic and dramatic paintings that reflect technical excellence while experimenting with color and surface textures. - Dramatic Drawing Studies – Elizabeth Nache
Students will use charcoal drawing techniques in the creation of dramatic personal narrative imagery. Emphasis will be on identifying tonal values, accurate scale and proportion while developing compositions that are visually dynamic and bold. - Life Drawing – Ailysh Cooper
Students will learn to draw the human figure while being introduced to college-level life drawing concepts and techniques. A variety of materials will be used while working from a live model within an art studio setting. - Sketchbook Reimagined – John Zilewicz
Benefits of a daily sketchbook practice include quick thinking, responsive drawing, sensitivity to visual stimuli and immediacy of response. Students will focus on idea development and experimentation within a sketchbook format. Using collage, drawing, painting and mixed media processes, students will concentrate on producing imagery reflecting their own personal voice. - Photography: Alternative Processes – Amy Flemming and Emma Vitalo
Students will explore historical processes through photography. Stepping away from digital photography, students will learn cyanotypes, pinholes, lumen prints are just a few of the process's students will learn.
Registration
This camp is now full. To join the Visual Arts Camp wait list, please call 815-753-1450.
Early bird registration fee: $850 (received June 1 or earlier)
Registration fee after June 1: $900
Registration deadline: June 11, 2025
Art supply fee: $95 (additional fee, required)
Call 815-753-1450 to inquire about late registration.
Returning camper and NIU family discount: $25 (for campers who have previously attended Visual Arts Camp and the children and grandchildren of NIU students, staff and faculty members)
Camp fills quickly, so register early! You'll pay a $100 deposit when you register. The remaining balance is due by June 16.
Need-based scholarship assistance is available!
Camp Staff
Our Visual Arts Camp staff includes talented NIU faculty and students, alumni, guest artists and award-winning area art teachers. The ratio of campers to staff members is about 12 to one. Staff members are assigned to each residence hall floor and accompany campers to all meals and activities.
She has played a key role in reshaping visual arts programs in two Illinois school districts, including the successful implementation of Advanced Placement Studio Art. Her contributions extend beyond the classroom as she was appointed to the National Prismacolor Advisory Council in June 2011. Currently teaching at Rockford Jefferson High School, Mrs. Stockton leads the Advanced Placement Studio Art program and serves as the teacher leader of the Business Academy. Since 2001, she has also directed the Visual Arts Camp, offering young artists an opportunity to hone their craft in a nurturing and creative environment.
Schedule
A general overview of the camp schedule is below.
Date and Time | Activity | Location |
---|---|---|
Sunday |
Check-in |
Check in at Gilbert Hall lobby and pick up camp materials. Free parking is available in front of Gilbert Hall and in parking lot 3 south of the Music Building |
Sunday |
Orientation |
Jack Arends Hall, room 100 |
Sunday to Friday |
Camp activities |
|
Friday |
Closing ceremony/art show |
Jack Arends Hall |
Contact Us
College of Visual and Performing ArtsOffice of External Programs
Music Building 132
Kristin Sherman
815-753-1450
ksherman2@niu.edu
Online Office Hours
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
(lunch from noon – 1 p.m.)