By Sherry Larson
The 2026 J.R. Bradley Summer Arts Camp was a pure star-spangled spectacle showcasing patriotism in the arts and celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday.
The camp’s teachers all come with impressive resumes and work with the students during the week in various art mediums, including:
• Art Appreciation – Elaine Lafferty
• Drawing/Painting – Madison Taylor
• Sculpture/Ceramics – Makenna Malcom
• Tie-Dye – Sarah Purdon Rigdon
• Choreography/Music – Lio McElroy
• Creative Writing – Margaret Blevins
• Drama – Lee Willson
• Fiber Art – Kirsten West
• Music – Dr. Brandon Stroup
On Friday, July 24, Adams County Arts Council President Linda Richey welcomed campers’ friends and family to the camp’s 14th year, as they viewed their artists’ work and attended A Very PATRIOTIC Pageant! Richey thanked everyone who made it possible for students to attend the camp free this year.
Richey also announced an upcoming “Mini Maker Market” to be held at the Queen Beanery on October 3. Youth ages 5-18 are encouraged to attend and sell their made or grown products. She reminded attendees to follow The Queen Beanery and The Makery at Buckeye Place on Facebook for updates.
Elaine Lafferty, Camp Director, has spearheaded the successful camp for the past 12 years. She continued sharing gratitude for all the teachers, volunteers, and custodial staff. Each teacher introduced their artists.
• Creative Writing – Jael West
• Drama/Music/Dance – Lexie Cantrell, Addyson Deskins, Bryson Fischer, Dawson Fite, Samuel Gilman, Korbyn Hilderbrand, Chloe Hockstok, Randalyn Liming, Makenna McClanahan, Lucy Mullins, Isabella Semple, Claire Shady, Paxton Singleton, John Smith, Maya Taylor, Sophie West, Brantley Whitt
• Drawing/Painting – Elena Arnold, Emily Fite, Arianna Grooms, Ellie Hafer, Kianna-Mae Jason, Haisley McFarland, Renea Paglia, Bellamy Robbins, Ava Singleton, Presley Singleton, Vinny Singleton
• Fiber Art – Kaylynn Foster
• Sculpture/Ceramics – Robert Arm, James Arnold, Conley Childress, James Crouch, Trinady Davidson, Ashley Dotson, Firefly Eckert, Alex Horsley, Randalyn Liming, Austin Pearson, Marcus Shearer, Savannah Shivener, Jacob Smith, Alivea Sutterfield, Carlie Sutterfield, Andre West, Jeremiah West, Lulaby Wooldridge
•Tie-Dye – Sadie Barlow, Myla Bishop, Anneriss Elswic, Brett McClanahan, John Paglia, Malachi Semple
One drawing method taught by Madison Taylor was neurographical art, which Taylor explained as a therapeutic process. The method starts with drawing black lines and filling everything in with watercolor pens. Her budding artists also used paint markers to design art that radiated from around the center of old record albums. Taylor said, “It was a fan favorite.”
Sarah Purdon Rigdon’s students had a great time tie-dying shirts, shoes, bags, bucket hats, and more. Kirsten West, who instructed fiber art, has worked with the same student for three years, and this year they were able to advance into costume design.
Creative Writing teacher Margaret Blevins has also worked with the same student for three years and is very proud of her growth. The group of sculptors was led by Makenna Malcom, who said she had a great time. And, last but not least, drama teacher Lee Willson, music instructor Dr. Brandon Stroup, and choreographer/music instructor Lio McElroy worked their magic for A Very PATRIOTIC Pageant by Andy Beck and Brian Fisher.
The light-hearted musical production featured an amusing portrayal of the Mount Rushmore four, with jokes that made the audience (and themselves) “ha, ha, ha” after each witty anecdote. The perfect portrayal of patriotic pageantry featured characters like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Betsy Ross, to name a few.
Paying homage to the USA and service members past and present, the actors reminded the audience that the arts continue to be instrumental in shaping our country and preserving our history. Here’s to the arts – and the enduring journey of giving a voice and platform in all its many beautiful forms. And here’s to America that gives us the freedom of artful expression.