Four weeklong animation workshops are scheduled for July in the midcoast area: Maine Coast Artists, Rockport, July 8-12; Morning Sky Studio, South Hope, July 15-19; Roundtop Center for the Arts, Damariscotta, July 22-26; The Lincoln Street Center for Arts and Education, Rockland, July 29-Aug. 2. Classes meet from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Participants of varying ages, 12-36 (or younger with permission of the instructor), are encouraged to attend. Individuals may explore the processes and materials of their choice, which then are integrated in a creative way to produce a group animation project. The guiding principle is to learn about materials and techniques and to collaborate with others.

Instruction may cover history, techniques and materials, with daily film screenings including clips from the “History of Animation” and a broad sampling of work by international animators.

Participants will have the opportunity to create short animations using traditional and innovative techniques. The workshop team decides in a brainstorming session on the story or concept and determines how the idea may be carried out. Participants may choose to work in clay, cut paper, line or with objects, sculpting, collaging, painting and drawing to create characters, props and set. Then the animation is shot and a soundtrack is created and overlaid.

Tuition for the program is $225 and includes most materials plus a 1/2-inch copy of the completed animation. For more information or to register, contact the program’s instructor, Deb Vendetti, at 785-4104 or e-mail msky231@midcoast.com.