MAC 2008 is paradise!

Over 200 youth experienced the joy and diversity of the arts at this summer's 12th Annual Multicultural Arts Camp: "Passport to Paradise."

Thank you to our dynamic and encouraging artists. MAC Camp featured Sara Baraldi, Mario Barela, Christa Iceforest, Keith Johnson, Ian Poulis, and Annette Sexton-Ruiz; Theater Camp was directed by Sara Baraldi and Xanthia Walker, and Kristine Kollasch lead set design. Thank you to our 50 volunteers for aiding artists, serving lunch, and sparking the creative spirit in our children. Finally, thank you to the following individuals and organizations for making MAC Camp a reality for our children:
 

Excepts from A Free Arts Rap
Written by Darren, Camper, MAC Camp 2008 

As time goes on, we all fight to move on
Through life’s daily struggles, just another puzzle
Thank God for this place, keeping us out of trouble
Everything we do here, comes from our hearts (and a soul full of art)
Instead of wondering when my life will end, I can socialize
And even make a new friend, here I can clear my mind
And continue to come alive, the people are all so kind
They look me in the eyes, and they don’t tell me any lies
We’re like a werewolf’s moon, when we rise
We unleash our inner madness, and then pretty soon
We will learn and remember, that most kids never had this

You could never imagine what our art can reveal
Here at MAC Camp, art heals
Every paint brush, every drum, every stroke of a pencil
And everyone that comes is another step up life’s ladder
Here at MAC Camp, every child matters
We bring our art to life, and it goes berserk
We don’t care if you call us a nerd
We don’t respond to people acting like jerks
We’ve got guides and role models
‘Cuz here at MAC Camp mentoring works


About MAC Camp
MAC Camp is made up of five week-long arts camps for up to 200 children featuring theater, dance, music, art and the visual arts. Children come from local group homes and shelters and are transported by their home facility.

• Theater Camp: a two-week intensive for 20 adolescents in partnership with ASU's Kax Herberger Center for Children and the Arts and the Herberger Theater Centre.
• Multicultural Arts Camp: guest artists from around the world share their cultures in a three-week multidisciplinary camp for children ages 8-17. Japanese Taiko drumming, African dance, Chinese calligraphy, Native American jewelry and Latino music are just a sampling of special workshops offered.