Summer Art Workshop

Join us for an inspiring, creative, and fun-filled week at SAW!

JUNE 2027, Dates TBA

REGISTRATION COMING SOON

Registration for SAW 2027 opens this October.

Summer Art Workshop (SAW) is a week-long immersive program designed for rising 9th graders through recent high school graduates. Whether you're a first-timer or returning camper, SAW offers hands-on art instruction and making, gallery visits, and evening activities that inspire creativity and artistic growth. At the end of the week, you’ll showcase your work in our open studios for family and friends to see your hard work and our facilities.

Why Attend SAW?

Learn from MSU Art & Design faculty in hands-on workshops
Expand your artistic skills in multiple disciplines
Experience college life by staying in dorms and using our Art & Design studios
Build friendships and connections with fellow young artists and faculty
Create artwork in a supportive, creative environment

Libby Mook participated in the 2023 Summer Art Workshop at Murray State.

“Hi there! My name is Libby Mook. I am a freshman at Murray State, and I was a part of the MSU Summer Art Workshop in 2023! Going into my senior year of high school, this was a pivotal experience for me; I made lots of friends during SAW, as well as forming connections with several MSU Art & Design faculty, and the exposure to an art community allowed me to improve my artistic thinking and practice. When it came time to apply for colleges, I ended up choosing Murray State because of SAW and the wonderful community both there and within the MSU Art & Design department. The relationships and skills I built at SAW have lasted me into my college career, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the SAW learning community!”

Libby MookSAW 2023 Participant

2026 Workshop Lineup

Professor Sarah Martin demonstrates how to use a sewing machine.

Overhead view of SAW students working on collages.

Doodles in Motion - Animation with Jim Bryant
Drypoint Basics - From Plate to Print with Nicole Hand
Field Notes - Nature Journaling & Inspired by Life with Sam McCoy
Stack it Up - 3D Printing for Beginners with Chris Riveria

Professor John Utgaard helps a SAW student with her ceramics project.

A spotlight shines on a SAW student as she works on her painting.

Campus Life & Housing Options

SAW campers can choose to be:

Residential Campers – Stay in a double-occupancy dorm, eat three daily meals in the dining hall, and fully immerse yourself in the campus experience.
Commuter Campers – Attend daily workshops and activities, eat meals on campus, but return home each evening.

Both commuter and residential campers walk across campus daily, just like college students, to attend workshops, meals, and activities attended by our camp counselors.

Evening Activities & Traditions

Annual Dairy Queen Walk
Movie Nights & Art Challenges
Bowling Night
Camp Counselor Workshops

A SAW student carves into her ceramics project.

A SAW student cuts around an illustration of a cat made with Sharpies.

Tuition, Payment, & Refunds

$550 Resident Camper (includes tuition, dorm stay, meals, and materials)
$450 Commuter Camper (includes tuition, meals, and materials)

$150 non-refundable deposit required at registration and a $15 transaction fee will be applied to card payments.

Full refunds (minus $150 deposit) available if canceled by May 9, 2025.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available! Thanks to MSU’s College of Humanities and Fine Arts and the Department of Art & Design, a limited number of partial scholarships are available.

Scholarship details coming soon!

After You Register

Before camp, you’ll receive an email and a mailed packet with details about:

Check-in
Behavior Expectations
Daily Schedule
What to Bring
Medical Info
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Info

Vehicle Guidelines

Commuters can be dropped off daily or drive themselves (with a check-in/check-out plan). Residential campers may bring a car but cannot drive during SAW.