Top-Rated Kids Art Camp in the Bay Area: PAL’s 2025 Summer Recap
2025 Summer Art Camp Academy at Pacific Art League: A Season of Creative Growth in Palo Alto
This summer, the Pacific Art League welcomed over 230 young creatives to downtown Palo Alto for our 2025 Summer Art Camp Academy—an 8-week celebration of visual storytelling, technical skill, and joyful self-expression.
From Studio Ghibli sketches to oil-painted cupcakes, campers explored a world of artistic possibilities while making new friends and growing their confidence as artists.
What Makes Our Art Camps Special
Professional instructors who are working artists and experienced educators
All materials included—no need to shop for supplies
A welcoming, creative environment that encourages experimentation and growth
Student art shows every Friday to celebrate the week's work
By the numbers
230+ campers
24 camps
8 professional instructors
360 hours of instruction
15 youth volunteers
Over $5000 in financial aid distributed
2025 Summer Highlights at a Glance
Week 1: Paint, Clay & Ghibli Magic — Painting, hand-building, and anime drawing inspired by Studio Ghibli
Week 2: Watercolor & Fashion Illustration — Classic techniques meet design-forward flair
Week 3: Book Arts & Realism — Bookbinding, watercolor painting, and color pencil realism
Week 4: Pastels, Pop Art & Oil — Vibrant mixed media, street art, and delicious oil paintings
Week 5: Portraits & World Building — Figure drawing meets imaginative character design
Week 6: Foundations & Fine Art — Drawing basics, acrylic exploration, and oil portraits
Week 7: Studio Practice & Storytelling — Painting, clay, and character design for games and cartoons
Week 8: Kawaii, Creative Journaling & Landscapes — Cute mixed media, sketchbooking, and oil landscapes
A Creative Hub in Downtown Palo Alto
Our downtown location makes drop-off and pick-up easy for families throughout Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Los Altos, Redwood City and East Palo Alto. Campers ended each week with a student art show, where family and friends could celebrate their creations.
What Parents Are Saying
“The perfect blend of learning and fun. My 8-year-old came home each day excited to share what he’d learned—and already asking to go back.”
“The instructors are phenomenal. It’s the one camp my 13-year-old begs to return to every summer.”
“Such an inclusive and supportive environment. My 14-year-old feels free to be herself and is encouraged every step of the way by her instructors and fellow campers.”
“I’m so impressed with PAL’s professional instructors and the skills my kids brought home. These camps don’t use cheap supplies—students work with real artist materials, and it shows in their work.”
“With art education so limited at our school, PAL has been a lifesaver. It’s a place where my kids can truly dive into creativity, learn real skills, and get the art experience they’re missing in the classroom.”
Explore. Express. Connect.
Art builds confidence, curiosity, and community. At Pacific Art League, our mission is to enrich lives by empowering people to explore, express, and connect through the arts.
To learn more about our year-round youth programs and upcoming camps, visit www.pacificartleague.org and sign up for our email newsletter.
