Base Camp Studio

Base Camp Studio was founded by Darlene Becker, a passionate mother, artist, educator and art therapist. Darlene lives in Bend with her husband and her son. Darlene works as an art therapist for a wilderness therapy program and is the director of Base Camp Studio. Darlene taught Special Education in the Bend LaPine Schools from the time she moved t... o Bend in 2006 until she started Base Camp Studio in 2013. Prior to living in Bend, Darlene worked as a teacher, a leader for wilderness/experiential programs, an artist, and an art therapist. She earned a Bachelor'sDegree from Washington University in 1996, a Master's degree in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2002, and a teaching credential from California State Monterey Bay in 2005. After living in Bend for several years, working with and talking to other members of the community, she concluded that a community art studio was just what Bend needs. As an educator, Darlene has observed the increasing need to bring the arts and experiential learning opportunities to our children outside of the public education system. Additionally, Darlene has witnessed how participation in an art group can improve not only a student's emotional health but also a student's academic success. As a mother, Darlene recognizes the need not only for exposure to arts throughout childhood, but also the need for a space to come together and share the experience with others. As an art therapist Darlene understands the undeniable power of the creative process. As an artist Darlene has experienced the power of the creative process for her own self-expression as well as the connections that shared art experiences can bring both to the individual and to the community.Read More