Summer Design Camp Returns to University of Arkansas

Campers explore the rooms of the sculpture created by Patrick Dougherty and volunteers.

Participants in the design camp play an icebreaker, answering questions written on a beach ball.

Lauren Fischer sketches the Arsaga’s creperie and cafe building along the Fayetteville bike trail.

Campers tour the Fayetteville home Fay Jones designed and built for his family 57 years ago.

Participants gather around a table in Memorial Hall to share their designs for a retreat.

Students used foam, colored paper, wooden pieces, and markers to create models of a retreat.

Students talk about their creations on the final day of camp.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The free summer design camp at the Fay Jones School of Architecture brought Northwest Arkansas students to campus for four days in July to learn about architecture, landscape architecture and interior design. University of Arkansas design faculty taught using hands-on projects, tours, movies and discussions.

Design camp was originally an all-girls program, but this summer it was open to both boys and girls. In all, 26 students who will be entering ninth grade this fall attended camp. The design faculty worked closely with local schools to recruit a diverse group of students interested in design professions and opportunities.

“Design camp is a great introduction to all three of the design professions,” said Alison Turner, visiting assistant professor for architecture and a camp leader. “Through a variety of projects, students learn about interior design, architecture, and landscape architecture. This four-day immersion creates an environment where kids truly learn about the professions.”

 Aubrey Pate, visiting instructor in interior design, and Phoebe McCormick Lickwar, assistant professor in landscape architecture, were also camp leaders.

Students developed their design abilities through sketching exercises and also worked to create a garden project where they designed their very own “hideaway” from concept to completion. Students also had the opportunity to learn about former architecture professor and Arkansas native Fay Jones through the documentary Sacred Spaces and a tour of the Jones family home. The house tour provided insight into the unique design style for which Jones is known.