CLEMSON — This is what a year looks like at the Arts Center in Clemson: kids’ arts camp enrollment up from approximately 120 to 230, membership rising to 150, team-building creativity workshops for companies and a new ceramics studio.

Arts Center Executive Director Deborah Pagano explained the surge.

“Last year, the summer arts camp was our first activity. We were a brand new center, people were a little curious and enrollment was a little slow. This year, there’s a lot of repeat students and everything’s taking off.”

In 2007, there were around eight students in each of the summer camp classes. This summer, classes bumped up to 10 to 12 students. Fourteen professional artists oversaw 24 classes during the four-week camp; campers ranged in age from six to 17.

The curriculum included drawing, painting, sculpting, ceramics, comic illustration, fiber arts and photography. Cheryl Lecroy, the center’s business and development coordinator, was particularly jazzed about the later component.

“We were able to offer each student a digital camera to use for the entire week of summer camp. It was an exciting addition,” Lecroy said.

In its second year, the Center will continue to expand its offerings. Look for a fall exhibit featuring ceramics and pottery, to be curated by Clemson University art instructor Sue Grier. A tandem event with the Brooks Center for the Performing Art is also part of the schedule. In addition, Arts Center resources will be made available for birthday parties and group meetings. A retail space is in the works.

Currently an instructor’s show — boasting paintings, sculpture and jewelry — hangs in the Arts Center gallery. A successful holiday show will return in November. Also on the horizon, more exhibits showcasing the work of Clemson University art students.

Then there’s the Founding Fifty Sculpture. The Arts Center is looking to generate gifts of $1,500 or more from businesses, organizations and individuals. The first 50 donors will be immortalized in the design of an outdoor sculpture to be installed in front of the center, located at 212 Butler St.

“These are donations to support the Arts Center, not donations just for a public sculpture,” Lecroy said. “Less than 10 percent of the donated funds will be used for the sculpture.”

The Arts Center will work closely with the City of Clemson on the outdoor sculpture, which would be one of the city’s first.

A staff of four anchors the Arts Center operations. Besides Pagano and Lecroy, the fold includes graphic designers Molly Morin and bookkeeper Concetta Kome. Their challenges include updating procedures to keep up with Center growth and producing slick promotional and marketing materials. A handful of volunteers assist with day-to-day functions.

Funded mainly by grants and sponsors, the Center got off to a hot start in 2007 thanks to an anonymous $100,000 donation.

“The funding is done through a real organized effort by our Board of Directors, along with the people in our office,” Lecroy said

Center staff actively cultivates relationships with local businesses and vice-versa. For example, the Pendleton Café and Coffee Company had provided food at exhibitions and coffee for campers’ parents. Other sponsors include Wendy’s, Food Lion, Oconee Medical Center, First Citizens Bank, Clemson Area Transit (CAT), UPS, Clemson Variety & Frame Shop, Starbucks and Wal-Mart.

Arts Center memberships start at $25 for seniors and students; household and business memberships are also available. Member benefits include a 10 percent discount on all classes, which are available for all ages throughout the year.

Pagano attributes the Center’s continued evolution to accessibility.

“You don’t have to have a background in art to be a part of the Arts Center. This is a great place to meet with friends and relax — sometimes people will stop here on the way to a basketball game or something. We’re not art snobs.”

For more information, visit www.explorearts.org or call (864) 633-5051.