Vero Beach Art Club

Project Title: Dreamland Dioramas

Students will create a 3D diorama of their dream world using a shoebox or recycled cardboard box. They can design anything—from an underwater kingdom to outer space, candyland, enchanted forests, castles in the sky, or a futuristic city. This project is designed to spark imagination while strengthening storytelling, design, and fine motor skills. Students will engage with spatial reasoning, color theory, and mixed media as they bring their dreamland to life. Learning

Objectives: - Express imaginative ideas through 3D art - Learn planning and design skills through sketching and model-building - Explore mixed media, texture, and structure - Strengthen storytelling through visual art and character creation - Improve fine motor skills using clay, scissors, and detailed work Materials: - Shoeboxes or small cardboard boxes - Construction paper, cardboard scraps, fabric scraps - Pipe cleaners, pom-poms, sequins, beads, foam sheets - Modeling clay or air-dry clay - Paint brushes, glue, scissors - Cotton balls, Q-tips, tissue paper - Markers, colored pencils, acrylic paint - Glitter, gems - Colored acetate sheets - Bottle caps, can tabs, straws

Daily Breakdown:

Brainstorm & Sketch - Introduce the concept of a 'dream world' and show inspiring visual examples - Guide students through drawing and labeling a sketch of their dream world - Ask questions to spark ideas: Where is it? Who lives there? What makes it magical? - Begin planning what materials they'll need and what elements they want to include

Constructing the Base - Paint or cover the inside and outside of the box with construction paper or fabric - Build background scenes: skies, oceans, forests, galaxies, etc. -

Begin assembling foundational elements using glue, clay bases, or foam structures

Create Characters & Key Features - Sculpt animals, creatures, or main characters with clay - Use pipe cleaners, beads, and small items to create accessories or features - Let clay dry and reinforce delicate pieces with glue if needed Day 4: Add 3D Elements - Build trees, clouds, mountains, floating structures, or buildings from cardboard and scraps - Add texture with tissue paper, cotton balls, straws, and glitter - Use Q-tips and sponges for details or effects like snow, stars, or magical light Day 5: Final Touches & Showcase - Add final sparkle and polish (gems, acetate windows, background characters) - Optional: write a short story or nameplate to go with the diorama - Host a gallery walk or mini presentation where kids share what makes their dream world special

Day 4: Add 3D Elements - Build trees, clouds, mountains, floating structures, or buildings from cardboard and scraps - Add texture with tissue paper, cotton balls, straws, and glitter - Use Q-tips and sponges for details or effects like snow, stars, or magical light

Day 5: Final Touches & Showcase - Add final sparkle and polish (gems, acetate windows, background characters) - Optional: write a short story or nameplate to go with the diorama - Host a gallery walk or mini presentation where kids share what makes their dream world special

All materials and snacks are included.

Cost: $125 non-members

         $100 members (apply discount code at checkout Summer$25off)

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VBAC Summer Camp Registration