Van Gogh is her favourite artist and his painting ‘Starry Night’ inspires her to continue her artistic career.

Meghan Lau is only six-and-a-half-years-old but has spent the past three years learning her trade as part of the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation classes for youth.

With the summer months upon us, Meghan was faced with losing the creative outlet she was provided one afternoon a week while school was in. Coming to her rescue was Fiona Rodriguez-Roberts, director of Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation, who recently opened her gallery at the former Elliot School on Jubilee Road, Devonshire.

Meghan said: “I like painting. I like drawing lines and then colouring them in but we have to do them in different colours. I want to come back for the summer because I like doing art.

“I’m also doing Fairy camp, which is away, Chinese school, tennis and swimming. But it’s fun to come to art camp.”

In August, for one week, Meghan will be able to experience Spain in its entirety — cooking, artistry, music, folklore, national dress and customs at the art centre.

While Meghan chose to travel to Spain for the week through the curriculum at Kaleidoscope Art Foundation camp, the centre is also offering weeks in Holland and Africa.

Mrs. Rodriguez-Roberts said: “This is the third year we are running a camp and we are doing different countries each week so children have a maximum they can come for, which is three sessions.

“Each week children will create one larger art piece that requires multiple days to complete as well as smaller, more immediate projects. And the children will have a chance to cook and experience the culinary arts of each country which they will eat for snack every day.”

This focus on all aspects of a country is part of Mrs. Rodriguez-Roberts’ goal with her art school — quality, process and encouraging children to think through things themselves.

And while many summer camps are focused on outdoor, physical activities, Mrs. Rodriguez-Roberts says in the past they have tried to do a day at the beach for the children.

She has found, however, that it is much easier — and the parents prefer it — if they remain on the property working on the art projects. “

Some of the kids eat lunch and want to get right back to their projects. I have to try and encourage them to go outside and run around. “This camp is definitely for those kids who love art and they are given an opportunity to create work that they are proud of.”

At the end of the summer, the children’s hard work culminates in an art show, which features at least one piece from each student for each week they attend.

“The results are pretty amazing,” Mrs. Rodriguez-Roberts said. “At first the children don’t want to give up their work because they don’t quite understand. But when they get to walk in and show their parents, they are so excited.”

The country-focused art classes are now full, but room is still available in the Student Drawing Classes, which will run in two-week sessions aimed at ages 12 to 14. Anyone needing more information should call Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation at 236-5963 or at kaleidoscopeartsfoundation[AT]logic.bm.