25/26 Theme: Creature Academy
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
In 2024–2025, Art Camp 504’s Stardust Krewe embarked on an intergalactic journey to free the Zanzibraxians from the wrath of IGRAC — the most ruthless realtors in the galaxy.
LONG STORY SHORT: our camp counselor, Ziggy Stardust, isn’t just any counselor — he’s a legendary rock star from Planet Zanzibrax. His band, the Kings of Karnage, played music so powerful it kept the evil realtors at bay. When Ziggy traveled to Earth for hip surgery, he got a job at Art Camp 504 and started a new band, Freddie & the Chins. In his absence, IGRAC began wreaking havoc on Zanzibrax, unopposed without the music of the Kings of Karnage.
To free the Zanzibraxians, the Stardust Krewe built a spaceship and blasted off with Ziggy, Freddie & the Chins, and all the kids for an epic reunion show. The concert was an intergalactic success — they banished IGRAC once and for all!
…or did they?
✨ LEARN ABOUT the full SPACE THEME saga HERE.
JOURNEY TO THE CREATURE ACADEMY
THROUGH THE COSMIC POND
Everyone knows that Princess Supernova loves sipping from puddles and ponds. And even through she loves cheering on her friends, the Kings of Karnage’s music can be a bit too loud and thrashy for her delicate little ears.
So, as the band began their final songs, Princess Supernova decided to take a quiet stroll. She wandered along the edge of the venue and, to her delight, discovered an especially inviting pond. Feeling quite thirsty, she leaned in for a sip—and suddenly fell straight through!
In an instant, she was blasted through a shimmering portal and tumbled into: The Enchanted Forest!
It was breathtaking—giant glowing flowers, curious creatures, and a soft sparkle drifting through the air. “I have to go back and tell the others!”
Behind her shimmered the same pond. She hopped right in and was back at the concert venue, where everyone was celebrating—the realtors had been defeated!
“Hey everyone!” she called out. “Follow me! I found something incredible!”
The entire Stardust Krewe followed Princess Supernova to the pond. One by one, they hopped in and vanished into the magic beyond.
THROUGH THE ENCHANTED FOREST
The krewe was greeted by book-creatures called Bebelos, Bebelos are magical book creatures that were once humans. When humans passed away they have the choice of becoming a magical book full of information and guidance for the living humans. The Bebelos explained how to find the Academy and guided them along the path.
They embarked on a three-day trek through the forest.
Discovering the magic and wonder along with stopping by Enchanted Burgers and Fries!
We’re SOOOO hungry!
Pit stop at Enchanted Burgers & Fries!
Mama and Merlin were waiting at the gates!
Mama felt in her tail that the puppy gang were traveling on their way to the creature academy. She made the castle visible for them to come in because they were pure of heart and had good intentions.
They welcomed the travelers with open arms and showed them the Welcome Film, introducing them to The Student Council!
After OUR KREWE arrived, they were given a tour of Creature Academy by the marvelous student council!
The student Council is made up of Emerald the President, Quinn the Vice President, Garbanzo the Secretary, and Slink the captain of Glorp ball who stays around for morale. They take the puppies all around creature academy showing them the wonders and welcoming them to their new home.
Before long, the dogs settled into life at the Academy—taking classes, making friends, joining schools and choosing jobs. They taught lessons, tended the gardens, cleaned, cooked, and even trained for the famous creature horse races.
Student Council GREETS THE STARDUST KREWE
The Wonderful World of
Creature Academy
In another dimension, there's a place where creatures are trained to use their special gifts…
The academy is cooperative school nestled deep within the enchanted wilds, our students are not mere pupils. Each member of our learning community shares in: cooking, cleaning, teaching, tending to the gardens, and maintaining the grounds. At Creature Academy, we cultivate the values of creativity, kindness, discipline, and mutual respect.
CREATURE ACADEMY WELCOME VIDEO
HISTORY OF The Enchanted Forest
Once upon a time during the unknown, there was a vast grassy land.
When the time came, all knowing beings who were all knowing found the enchanted forest and found that it was a beautiful rich landscape. They lived peaceful lives planting magical flowers, swimming in the gleaming enchanted river, and rainbows stretched across the sky everyday.
All creatures were neighbors and they lived together in harmony. Each and every beetle, and rose petal was full of magic.
They called themselves the Syrynthians of Serenythys.
THE DESTRUCTION: KING ZIGGY OF THE KINGDOM OF KARNAGE
All of the creatures were enjoying their lives until one day KING ZIGGY arrives through the portal. He immediately begins stomping on all of the plants, chewing on the trees, throwing stone balls all over the land until their is nothing left. Driven by greed and pure evil, he embarked on a rampage until the whole forest and castle was destroyed.
With nowhere left to go, the peaceful Syrynthians embarked on a spaceship and left the Enchanted Forest.
For hundreds and hundreds of years, their former home set vacant and destroyed.
BUILDING THE Creature Academy
Not too long ago, a brave group of artists, rabble-rousers and whistleblowers were exploring unknown lands when they came across an abandoned castle, crumbling and forgotten. Together, they worked to restore it, stone by stone, room by room. As they rebuilt their sanctuary, they realized something extraordinary: each of them possessed unique knowledge and skills. They had so much collective wisdom to share!
And so, the Creature Academy was born—a place where they could teach each other and build a better world together.
Using ancient magic, they made the Academy invisible to anyone who doesn't wish it well, keeping it safe from those who would do harm.
A School Like no other
The Creature Academy operates as a cooperative, where every student is also a teacher, worker, cook, gardener, and custodian.
All decisions are made together—and while this can be a lengthy process, it has created a beautiful, thriving community built on respect, compassion, and curiosity. Anyone is welcome, as long as they bring these values with them.
Art Camp 504 and the Stardust Krewe have been invited to attend the Creature Academy! We've been learning incredible skills—flying, potion-making, magic, and mischief of all kinds.
MEET THE STUDENTS
Student Council and SOme Puppy Friends go look for mUshrooms
Emerald, Garbanzo, Remi, and Princess go and explore the Enchanted Forest with the gardening club to look for magic purple mushrooms to make a magical salad when they stumble upon a soft spot in the ground. They poke around the area until…
Check out or variety of puppet styles made by the students at Creature Academy!
All Knowing Being
Emerald, Garbanzo, Princess, and Remi fell into a mysterious cave. They bravely traveled through the cave until they stumbled upon the whereabouts of the LAST All Knowing Being and his companion Globnar.
The all knowing being told the kiddos the history of the Evil Authoritarian government that ruled the enchanted forest hundreds of years ago. He revealed that the evil Authoritarian Government ruled by Evil King Ziggy went against the wishes of the Elder-All-Knowing beings and established a world where people were forced to work tiring tumultuous jobs instead of creating art and tending the forest.
The peaceful Serenythys, noble creatures of the forest at the time, overtaken by evil transformed into the slimy alien evildoer creatures who we know as the IGRAC.
And even though it has been many years since the fall of Evil King Ziggy the IGRAC still roam the galaxy and tricking people off their land.
BUT
If only there were some incredible puppies and students from creature academy to help, maybe the IGRAC can be saved once and for all.
All it would take would be to play the IGRAC a sweet tune played on THE MAGICAL FLUTE they will remember the noble creatures they once were and return to the peaceful Serenythys who make art and tend the forest like they were called to do!
OH NO! While the students were learning, creating and looking for mushrooms, Evil King Ziggy of the Kingdom of Karnage opened a portal into Creature Academy! He bonked Good boy Ziggy on the noggin and switched places with him while he was asleep.
Now evil King Ziggy is roaming around Creature Academy as if he is Good Boy Ziggy with the plan to stop the puppies and Student Council from saving the IGRAC!!
OH NO!
OH NO!
OH NO!
OH NO! OH NO! OH NO!
SWITCHED!!!
Stardust Crew has to go and save the IGRAC
The Stardust Krewe and Creature Academy students all load the spaceship with momma’s blessing and set out into the galaxy leaving the enchanted forest to find the IGRAC and turn them back into the peaceful Serenythys that they once were.
But everything is not what it seems 
HElp choose our new theme
Where will the Stardust crew and Creature Academy Students go next….
Join us at Fall Break Camp, weeks 10/08—10/16, To pick the next Theme for art camp 504 and the stardust crew!
Through writing and illustration exercises, students will pitch why their idea should become Art Camp 504’s 2026/27 annual theme! Additional projects include dioramas, medallions and mystical amulets, map making and cooking every Friday!
Check Out our creature academy music video
Building the Enchanted Forest
In January of 2026, our students transformed the outside of our building into the Enchanted Forest of Serenythys. This “House Float” was on display all spring for the neighbors to enjoy and learn from. Using recycled materials, students brought the creatures of the forest to life. The forest has now been permanently installed inside our new home!
