Our last Un-Camp Shabbos has come and gone, and we can’t believe we’re so close to parting ways.
As the Havdallah candle burned, signifying the end of our day of rest, we wondered where the time had gone. As the age-old saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun. And we never understood that as well as we do now.
But we also know that time is of the essence, so we’re not going to spend it thinking about the mere few days we have left here. Instead, we’re making the absolute most of it, particularly in the realm of creativity.
Art has been a core part of our Un-Camp experience. Before classes, after meals, and late into the night, anyone who has walked into the lodge has seen an art studio in full swing. Some paint, some sketch, and everyone delves into her own inner world to get inspiration.
I asked a few of the girls to share their thoughts on the Un-Camp art experience and what they feel they gained from their paintbrushes and palettes.
For some, art became a form of getting feelings out onto a canvas. “Doing art at Un-Camp really helped me express my emotions differently than I have before,” said Sydney H. from Appleton, WI.
For others, it was a new way to feel their connection to G-d and to their tradition. Tori S. from Howell, NJ shared, “”Being able to put my Jewish identity into my art has been an awesome experience. I never got to do that before, mix being Jewish with art. But I totally can now, and it’s really cool to do that.”
Friends Ilanit C. and Miri M. from Monsey, New York came to Un-Camp together but were touched very differently by their creative time here. “Art became a new form of speech for me here,” shared Ilanit thoughtfully. “For me,” continued Miri, “it was more about realizing that even though I never thought I was artistic before, I saw that I have my own type of talent, my own style. So even if I’m not an ‘artist’ I can enjoy doing art, and that’s good enough for me.”
So, what types of creations have all the Un-Camp gals put together through the course of their weeks here? Just take a look, and prepare to be amazed:
Water-colors hanging on a line to dry:
Hand-formed and glazed sculptures:
An acrylic painting of a Chasidic wedding, by Sarah K. from Chicago, IL:
(Gallery-worthy or what?!)
We even make artsy pumpkin pies:
But seriously, these girls are turning out masterpieces faster than Picasso or Rembrandt could ever have dreamed of. The power and talent of Un-Campers is a force to be reckoned with.
And as the last few days of camp head our way, we’re only going to make more art, more memories, and more all-around amazingness.
Sit tight to see how we wrap up, Un-Camp style. It’s gonna be good.