Emmy Award winner Mark Kistler began teaching people how to draw during after-school programs when he was 14. Since then, he has starred in several drawing-centric children’s public television series, written and illustrated children’s drawing books and pioneered Fine Arts Camp, which takes place in The Woodlands in July.
The inaugural Fine Arts Camp eight years ago served 16 students. Now, in The Woodlands area alone, nearly 200 students sign up to learn from Kistler along with a Claymation specialist, puppeteer and musical theater specialist.
“I’ve been to all 50 states, [and] done 8,000 school programs in the last 40 years, and I’ve never seen an art camp like this,” Kistler said. “I can honestly say it’s the most fascinating, multidiscipline, full-day art camp in the country.”
Kistler is an art teacher with The Woodlands Art League, and he has enjoyed drawing for as long as he can remember.
“My art teachers from elementary to junior high to high school had [an] enormous impact on my skill and enthusiasm,” he said.
When he went to college at San Diego State University, Kistler initially studied biochemistry. However, it did not take long for him to take an interest in art history, graphic art and fine art.
After college, he decided to pursue his TV career. By 21, Kistler was starring in “The Secret City” on PBS. The show emphasized the importance of art, and through it Kistler began teaching large audiences how to draw.
“I got the teaching bug when I was in high school,” Kistler said. “Not only did I realize I could draw, but that I could teach.”
After “The Secret City,” Kistler went on to star in “The Draw Squad” and “The New Secret City Adventures.” He also self-produced “Mark Kister’s Imagination Station,” for which he won his Emmy Award in 2010. Now, Kistler teaches via YouTube, reaching students all over the world.
“It’s really a blessing to love what you do after 40 years,” he said.
In his dining room, Kistler displays rows of framed and autographed stills from movies, such as “Deadpool,” “Harry Potter,” “Star Trek,” “Star Wars” and “The Muppets.”
“Every one of these guys grew up watching me on TV, so I collect them,” he said. “After teaching for 40 years, it’s really cool. It’s really rewarding to see the artwork.”
Some of Kistler’s viewers went on to do things like pioneer Pixar Animation Studios and create the “Despicable Me” Minions.
Kistler’s Fine Arts Camp will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 18-22 at The Woodlands Preparatory School. There is still time to sign up at www.markkistler.com, and the cost is $399 per student and $349 per sibling. The community is invited to attend the camp’s grand finale July 22, during which students’ work will be showcased.
“I do camps all over the United States, but [The Woodlands camp] is a dream come true for me,” Kistler said. “I’ve been working on the idea for about 30 years.”
The Woodlands Preparatory School, 27440 Kuykendahl Road, Tomball 1-800-431-6829 $399 (per student), $349 (per sibling). 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (July 18-22) www.markkistler.com
