Art, Food, & Fun! Owensboro Art Camp Unites Community

My friend, Will Evans, is a local artist and community leader. He's too busy tooting other people's horns to toot his own, but he has created something super special. This is where he would bust in and say it wasn't JUST him. The Bulldog Art Camp may have been his idea, but it is an inspiring example of what our community can do when we come together.

Last year, before the inaugural camp, Will shared why his heart was led to organize this free week of fun for local kiddos. "On Oct 6, 2022, we lost my wife's cousin, Chris Green. On Nov 22, 2023, we lost Stephanie Green, my wife's sister, both to gun violence. If we can give kids a safe place to express themselves through art and support and teach them, we can change our community for the better at the foundation."

THANK YOU First Christian Church in Owensboro, KY

Over the past week, First Christian Church has welcomed students from Estes, Foust, & Cravens to explore their creativity and make new friends.

They spent each morning with projects involving drawing, watercolors, clay, acrylic paint, chalk, and even tie-dying camp shirts. Thank you, Crazy Me Gifts & Apparel! and The Skiadas Group! Estes Elementary (Go Bulldogs!) purchased the art supplies.

I had the pleasure of being one of the many volunteer artists who signed up to help wrangle the crowd of kids. It was great to see campers from last year return, because they enjoyed it so much. Like my sweet buddy in this picture.

Gotta admit, we were kind of a ragtag team last time, but it was still a blast. It just goes to show that if you have an idea to help the community, you can make it happen with friends!

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THANK YOU, 2025 Owensboro Bulldog Art Camp Guest Artists

From tattoo and balloon animal artists, to face and mural painters, here are the incredible local artists who gave of their time, talents, or opened their pocketbooks for the Bulldog Art Camp:

Camille Armstrong (who also captured the magic with photos and videos)
Austin Wingfield
Preston Garrett
Courtney Greer
Sykiah Easley
Imani Evans
Aminye Brown
Kymarria Brown
Niyari Brown
Shannon Nyhuise
Leeza Dukes
Heather Maas
Jimmy Wathen
Ashlee Berry
Coty Vance
Angie Rager
Deb Shoemaker
Tyse McHenry
Emma Peercy
Courtland Burroughs
Arianna Clark
Zion Riley
Aaron Kizer
Crystal Dawn
Bobby Edge
Brittany Samsil
Rex Robinson
Petra Miller
Rachel Brickel
Christy Chaney
Arianna Clark
Brianna Clark

Not everyone could make our group photo, but look how cute we are!

More importantly, everyone in this photo has a passion for sharing the value of creative expression. Whether it was encouraging a young artist by hyping up something they made or giving advice on how to mix colors, they made a positive difference this week.

I also gotta give a big ole shout out to LJ Douglas and the other teacher volunteers. The experts when it comes to managing a room of littles with simple hand claps, comforting big emotions, and putting band aids on boo boos.

Superheros and Dancing Queens

Speaking of creative expression, it can really make you work up an appetite! Especially after a playtime in the park or reading free comics from Moneytree Book & Music Exchange and Big Bang Comics & Toys. Today, the kids (and volunteers, tbh) put on their dancing shoes thanks to the Western Kentucky Silent Disco! So fun!

2025 Owensboro Bulldog Art Camp Restaurants

Without a doubt, one of the highlights of this camp is the food! The kids (and volunteers, tbh, once again) were SO excited every day to see which local business was going to show up with breakfast, lunch, and snack surprises.

They got to try new, delicious food and sweets for free! Thanks to the incredible generosity of the following local restaurants and bakeries:

• Lure Seafood n Grille
• The Famous Bistro
• Lure Smoke Shack
• The Lot Food Truck Park
• Fetta Specialty Pizza
• J's Good Grub
• Dee's Diner
• McHenry's Event Planning
• Lizzie's Diner
• Gramps Coffee & Donuts
• Kim's Diner
• Real Hacienda
• Fraternal Order of Eagles 4168
• Pinkys SnowCones n Snacks
• Doozie Doez
• Rolling Pin Bakery
• Fire Bowl
• The Opportunity Center
• Beverly's Hearty Slice
• Penn Station East Coast Subs
• Becca Bakes
• Shiloh's Lounge & Grill
• OPS (summer feeding program)

I'm not sure if this was planned or if it was just a "happy accident", but there were leftovers each day. They certainly did NOT go to waste. When parents and guardians picked up their campers, they were able to grab a lunch or two for their other kiddos or themselves.

2025 Bulldog Art Camp For Big Kids in July

While this week was all about the kindergarten-2nd grade, next month, the Bulldog Art Camp will be back in full swing for the older kids, 3rd-5th grade. I have to say, it is touching to witness how the Bulldog Art Camp has grown in just one year, and I can't wait to see how it continues to positively impact kids and their families. It truly has become more than just a camp. It's a community movement of love and celebrating creativity. 

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