Camila Vásquez – Contributor

For over a decade, Bishop’s University’s Foreman Art Gallery has been running week-long art camps during Spring Break and throughout the summer. Overseen by the Community Art Lab (ArtLab), the camps were established with the intention of democratizing art and building closer ties with the local community. Inspired by trends in micromuseology and community museology, this project fully aligns with the ArtLab’s mandate to explore pressing social issues from a creative point of view and how these affect our direct community. 

Image courtesy of ArtLab

Over time, the camps have evolved. In collaboration with Bishop’s University’s Sustainable Development Office, the ArtLab redesigned its educational approach in 2023 to better align with the Foreman Art Gallery’s vision and the broader values of the organization. Drawing inspiration from alternative, eco-friendly teaching models, the revised approach aims to update the way we view children and better support them in discovering their artistic creativity. The focus is therefore on the process rather than the outcome, and on art as an experience rather than a final object. Free outdoor playtime is an integral part of each day’s program, enabling children to engage with the land and learn through exploration.  

Accompanied by two educators with study profiles in fine arts or arts education, children ages six to 12 can explore a variety of exciting art projects that stimulate their creativity and sense of initiative, in a caring, inclusive, multi-age and bilingual atmosphere. Each day at camp follows a similar rhythm, consisting of periods of self-directed art creation, free play in nature and guided art workshops. Different angles of the themes ‘Art’ and ‘Nature’ are explored through activities in the studio or outdoors. Activities related to sustainable development are also scheduled, as well as outings to Bishop’s University Sports Centre, Old Lennoxville Golf Club during the March break and the swimming pool in the summer. 

March Break Art Camp 2026: Creating the Now. The Foreman Art Gallery’s Community Art Lab positions itself at the cutting edge between art, education and community development, with the goal of exploring how these worlds collide and interact with one another. With this in mind, we have set ourselves the challenge of venturing into the world of contemporary art to find ways of engaging children at this year’s March Break Art Camp, which will take place from March 2-6, 2026. This initiative is an integral part of the ArtLab’s academic mission, enabling a fine arts student to deepen their knowledge of art and cultural mediation through an internship. Under the guidance of ArtLab Coordinator Camila Vásquez, Esther Wiseman developed a curriculum addressing contemporary art through five different approaches. 

The Foreman Art Gallery’s March Break Art Camp proposes to demystify half a century of art history through a creative and experiential approach, drawing inspiration from artistic movements from the 1970s to today. Through influential figures and by building bridges with today’s society, we will revisit the history of contemporary art. Over the course of a week, children will immerse themselves in the spirit of different eras while creating with their own hands.  

Resonate with you or with your child? Registration is open on the Foreman Art Gallery website.