Ms. Antoinette McDaniel, a teacher at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Summer Camp in Prichard, organized a special road trip to Fairhope on Friday, June 15th. The 16 campers, ages 8 & 9, were joined by Ms. Loretta Collins, a teacher’s aide and Ms. Deborah Wilson, the Church’s Day Care assistant director. On their itinerary was a tour of the Eastern Shore Art Center exhibits, a hands-on activity and a tour of Dean Mosher’s Storybook Castle.

The first stop was the Eastern Shore Art Center with a tour of the American Watercolor Society 145th Annual International Exhibit, A Painting In A Day Exhibit: Artwork by Elizabeth Blaylock, Loran Chavez, Tina Powers and Jill Berry and the Tot Art Exhibit.

The campers were asked to pick their favorite paintings in each exhibit. The choices from the Watercolor Exhibit were “Hat Dance” by Judy Betts, a painting of cowboys on horses and when asked why they picked this particular painting they said: “We love horses and they look like they’re having fun”. Another choice was “Minuet” , a tablescape painting with roses, by Deanne Lemley. They agreed that a rose was their favorite flower.

Tot Art that includes over 25 regional and international artists is an extremely whimsical and creative exhibit. The campers were amazed that toys could be the subject of great artwork. Among their favorites was Ameri’ca Jones Gallaspy’s 3-D sculpture of a old model red truck and yellow dog, titled “Come On Home”.

Artwork in A Painting in a Day, includes acrylics and oils by five very talented local artists. The paintings chronicle everyday life - barnyard animals, sea life, beach scenes and still lifes that one could encounter in Baldwin County any time.

ESAC Summer Bash teacher, Sally Reese, asked the campers which animal from the three exhibits they wanted to paint as their art activity. The hands-down choice was a chicken in the A Painting In A Day exhibit.

Everyone quickly selected their paint colors and went to work – even Ms. Daniel and Ms. Collins. The campers surprisingly created their own interpretation of a chicken by making them “alien chickens” with multiple eyes and antenna. The result was a very positive and educational experience.

What excited them most was the fact that they could be free to express their individuality through their art without any criticism.

The group then toured the Dean Mosher’s Storybook Castle, a structure that began in 1946 by Dean Mosher’s father-in-law, Craig Sheldon. Built of Clay City tile and Mobile Bay stone, it is embellished with old tools, Civil War shrapnel, cookware, bottles and more. Everyone was fascinated by all the unique features. They loved it. Many said, “I wish I could live in a castle”.

All in all, it was a great day to tour the wonderful places Fairhope has to offer.