Mess Hall Arts Camps and Kids Art Programs

Mess Hall Arts Camps and Kids Art Programs offers hands-on projects such as edible art, slime, sculptures, and art projects using many types of art mediums. Campers take part in activities like splattering, pouring, smearing, rolling, scraping, piping, finger painting, decorating a messy summer camp shirt, and beading friendship bracelets. The program also includes card games, theater and improv games, board games, playing and gathering materials outside, taking breaks in a sensory corner, and an art show at the end of each week, as well as neon glow paint nights.

• Ages: 2–16 years old
• Schedule: Summer Art Camp sessions run in 4-day AM, PM, or full-day formats; Summer Preschool Camp meets as a 2-day, 2-hour camp; Teen Camp meets as a 3-day camp; One Day Camp runs as a single-day camp.
• Price: Summer Preschool 2 Day Camp costs $125 per camper.

Summer Art Camp is offered Monday through Thursday from 9am–4pm throughout the summer months for ages 5–12, with 4-day AM sessions (9am–12pm), PM sessions (1pm–4pm), or both for a full day, and before and after care available for up to an hour for an extra charge. Summer Preschool 2-day Camp is offered twice a month on Tuesday and Thursday as a 2-day, 2-hour art camp from 10am–12pm, and parents can choose to stay and play or drop off, with drop-off requiring that the child be potty trained; these camps are designed to be small and space is limited, and an additional hour from 12–1 can be added for extra fun and lunch with peers. Teen 3 Day Camp runs Tuesday–Thursday 1–2 times per month from 4pm–7pm and is designed to teach craftsmanship and entrepreneurial skills. One Day Camp on holidays and no school days runs 9am–3pm with a 1-hour lunch and game break and 2 snack breaks, and everything artists make at One Day Camp is brought home; participants are asked to dress for mess and bring a packed lunch, a labeled water bottle, and optional snacks.

Mess Hall Arts Camps and Kids Art Programs are part of an inclusive and adaptive program that is nut-free, LGBTQ+ friendly, fully wheelchair accessible, and visitable by reservation only. The studio’s primary medium is paint with a focus on abstract art where no two pieces look the same, and kids’ art programs, birthday parties, private events, field trips, and neon glow paint nights are hands-on and process-driven. The mission of Mess Hall Arts centers on creative freedom, playful exploration, focusing on the process of art and guiding imagination, getting hands messy and creating from within, and emphasizing that there is no right or wrong way to make art and that anyone can be an artist, with a fun-first philosophy and a judgment-free zone focused on process, not perfection. Experiences are described as totally customizable, including choice of music, and the program focuses on inclusive art and serving communities that do not have as many resources for outings, with plans to grow to include Food Art Classes and food-centric party packages.

The leadership team includes Alex (she/her), Owner, private event specialist, Curriculum Developer and Art Teacher; Kat (she/they), Studio Manager; Alyssa (she/her), Messy Manager – Oil Paint; Cedar (he/they), Messy Artist – Beading; Susan (she/her), Messy Artist – Ceramist; Harper (she/they), Messy Artist – Curriculum Developer, Art Teacher and Senior specialist; and Melissa (she/her), Messy Marketing Manager. Alex has a culinary background, has taught kids and adults how to cook since 2017, and operates a small catering business. In 2024, Alex started looking for another way to put joy into her life, and in 2023 Zan was looking for someone to cater their employee appreciation event, which is when they met; the program lists its copyright as ©Copyright 2025 Mess Hall Arts. Mess Hall Arts serves families, schools, and community groups across the Twin Cities metro area.

Last updated July 26, 2026.