July 7, 2005, Findlay, Ohio – Area youth will use their imagination and creative abilities to create their own children’s books during Mazza Museum’s Summer Arts Camp July 18-22 at The University of Findlay.

During the camp, the children will be introduced to a different art technique and media each day. The campers will then produce illustrations using their newly-learned techniques. By the end of the week, each youngster will have a completed book about numbers that has been inspired by art displayed in the museum.

According to Terry Olthouse, education coordinator for the museum, the goal of the camp is to help the campers see themselves as young illustrators and to inspire them to continue to use their imagination and creativity.

The camp will take place in two sessions, in the morning and afternoon. Children who will be in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades this fall will attend the morning session, while incoming 1st through 3rd graders will go to camp in the afternoon.

The week will conclude with an author/artist signing reception in which campers’ parents and friends are invited to see the campers’ books and get their autographs. The reception will be held Friday, July 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. in the museum’s gallery.

Located in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion on the UF campus, the Mazza Museum is raising funds for a $2.2 million campaign to expand the building by more than 11,000 square feet. The addition will provide more space for educational programs and for the preservation and protection of its artworks. Completion of the addition is scheduled for 2007.

For more information, contact the museum at 419-434-5521.