Our summer camp aftercare program runs daily from 3:00–6:00 PM and offers a relaxed, comfortable extension of the camp day. Children enjoy free-play time with toys, games, board games, and open-ended art materials, allowing them to unwind and choose how they spend their afternoon. The final hour of aftercare is dedicated to quiet reading time, helping campers transition into a calm end-of-day routine. On Fridays, students enjoy an age-appropriate movie beginning at 3:30 PM. A great option for families needing flexible pick-up while keeping kids engaged in a warm, supervised environment.

Sometimes you just need to make something with your hands and not overthink it. Therapeutic Crafting for Grown-Ups is a relaxed, low-stakes studio session where we try a different craft each month—no pressure, no perfection, just making. This time, we’ll design and silk-screen bold, graphic imagery onto canvas tote bags. Choose from pre-made designs or create your own simple motif, then pull your own prints using professional screens and fabric ink. Expect a satisfying process, inky hands, and a functional finished piece.

BYOB welcome. All materials included.

Join Emma Stevenson Cowan for a relaxed and inspiring Open Studio experience at Emma’s Art Studio in downtown Bethesda. This is your time to slow down, explore, and create in a welcoming, thoughtfully designed space.

A curated selection of high-quality materials will be available, including acrylic paints, watercolors, and collage supplies. Whether you’re continuing a personal project or starting something new, Emma will be there to offer guidance, encouragement, and artistic insight as needed—without the pressure of a structured class.

Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike, this open-format session invites you to make art at your own pace in a calm, creative community setting.

Come make art, experiment, and reconnect with your creative practice.

Sometimes you just need to make something with your hands and not overthink it. In a relaxed, low-stakes studio night, we’ll design and silk-screen bold, graphic imagery onto canvas tote bags. Choose from pre-made designs or create your own simple motif, then pull your own prints using professional screens and fabric ink. Expect a satisfying process, inky hands, and a functional finished piece.

BYOB welcome. All materials included.

Decorate and personalize a small sketchbook using collage and mixed media techniques. Make it your own!

Ages 5-11

Tuition includes 1 Adult + 1 Child

The Counselor in Training (CIT) Program is a hands-on volunteer opportunity for middle and high school students interested in working with children, developing leadership skills, and gaining experience in an art education setting. CITs assist with camp activities, classroom organization, material setup and cleanup, and supporting younger artists throughout the day.

This program is free to participate, with a $20 supply fee to help cover materials and administrative costs.

Emma’s Art Studio is happy to sign Student Service Learning (SSL) forms for MCPS schools. Please note that while MCPS lists educational organizations as eligible volunteer sites, approval of SSL hours is ultimately determined by each individual school, and acceptance of hours cannot be guaranteed.

This program is best suited for responsible, motivated students who enjoy working with children and are eager to learn in a creative, collaborative environment.

Deco Arts Camp is a week-long fine arts experience rooted in the creative spirit and thoughtful craftsmanship that defined our original Glen Echo Park program—now reimagined in our new studio space in downtown Bethesda. Young artists explore a rich mix of classic and contemporary art-making techniques, including silkscreen printing, marbleized paper, fossil casting, terra cotta sculpture, and tempera painting on real canvas.

Each day balances structured, skill-based lessons in color, shape, line, and texture with ample time for creative exploration and self-expression. Returning campers are offered new challenges and alternative projects that build on prior experience, allowing them to deepen skills and expand ideas.

Join us for a week of imagination, fine art, and joyful making at Deco Arts Camp—where tradition, creativity, and craft come together in every brushstroke.

Designed for motivated teen artists, this portfolio development camp emphasizes observational drawing, composition, and concept development. Students will receive individualized guidance as they create finished, portfolio-quality pieces in a supportive studio environment.