Art Center of Tonkawa

06/19/2026

: We are excited to highlight the amazing instructional staff for Arts Adventure Camp this year.

Jason McNaughton works as a Senior 3D Artist with credits in multiple video games, animated shorts and applications. In his role he creates multiple professional 3D models and illustrated drawings and assets. Jason has also received multiple awards for his video games and animated short films with screening that range across the country. Jason received his bachelor’s in animation from the Savannah College or Art and Design (SCAD), and his maters in Interactive Design and Game Developments from SCAD as well. He also is a professor at Northern Oklahoma College.

Jason will be offering two drawing classes this year, with one being more of a general overview of technique (Drawing) and one that is focused on capturing the human form (Figure Drawing).

Register for camp today!
https://www.noc.edu/.../comm.../summer-camps/arts-adventure/

06/19/2026

06/18/2026

Tonight! Hope to see you!

06/18/2026

06/17/2026

It’s time to register for the 35th annual Arts Adventure Summer Camp! The deadline to register is June 24th.

The camp runs July 13th-16th from 12:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. and is open for incoming 6th graders through those who have just completed high school.

Classes offered this year include: Board Game Design, Cartooning, Contemporary Choreography and Creative Dance, Digital Escape Room, Dragon Eyes Sculpture, Drawing Fundamentals, Figure Drawing, Jewelry and Ornament Making, Music Theatre Dance, Musical Theatre, Song Cover and Recording, Stage Makeup, Tinfoil Sculpting & Blacklight Desert Painting, Video Production/Computer Graphics, and Vocal Exploration.

Scholarships are available for campers who qualify!

Students may register online at www.noc.edu/about-noc/community/summer-camps/arts-adventure.

06/17/2026

🧠🎨 How Arts Education Boosts Academic Success, One Side of the Brain at a Time

Did you know that studying the arts (like music, visual art, drama, or dance) helps students do better in math, reading, and even science? Here’s how that works:

Our brains are divided into two main sides, or hemispheres:

•The right side is where creativity, imagination, and artistic expression live.
•The left side handles logic, language, and problem-solving.

When students engage in arts education, they primarily activate the right side of their brain. But here’s the cool part: regularly using that creative side helps build connections across the brain, including the logical, academic left side. Think of it like exercising one muscle group that strengthens another, thanks to how the whole system works together.

This brain “cross-training” boosts focus, memory, critical thinking, and even motivation… all of which help students perform better in school subjects that aren’t arts-related.

✅ Research backs this up: A report from the Arts Education Partnership found that students involved in the arts not only do better in school but also show higher test scores and lower dropout rates. (Deasy, 2002).

So while painting or playing music might seem like just a fun break from academic work, it’s actually training the brain in powerful, long-lasting ways!

Deasy, R. J. (Ed.). (2002). Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development. Arts Education Partnership.

Student can sign up for this year’s camp at www.noc.edu/about-noc/community/summer-camps/arts-adventure!

06/16/2026

This Thursday! Tickets available at the door!

06/16/2026

: We are excited to highlight the amazing instructional staff for Arts Adventure Camp this year.

Brad Matson is the Director of the Digital Media Institute at Northern Oklahoma College. With a career spanning over 35 years in the television and film industry, he has earned numerous accolades, including a Telly Award—often regarded as the Oscar of Digital Media—the Audience Choice Award in the Re*****on Park 25th Anniversary Video Contest, a DaVinci Fellowship Award for outstanding creativity in the classroom, and a NISOD Excellence Award.

Recognized for his dedication to education, Brad was named an NOC Distinguished Faculty Member, received four nominations for the Oklahoma Gold Medal for Excellence in Teaching Award, and was nominated twice for Digital Tutors Instructor of the Year.

A graduate of The University of Oklahoma Brad was a RUF/NEK President, was the Keeper of the famous OU Shotguns, and drove the Sooner Schooner from ’84-’88.

This is Brad’s 25th year as an Arts Adventure Artist. He will be offering a Video Production/Computer Graphics class and a Digital Escape Room class.

Register for camp today!
https://www.noc.edu/.../comm.../summer-camps/arts-adventure/

06/13/2026

Next Thursday! Come join us for a creative night!