Places to go for In-Person Art Retreats!

I am Kristin Williams and a HUGE fan of in-person art-making and learning. I owned and ran Ephemera Paducah in Paducah, Kentucky for about 10 years and am currently taking a “Gap Year” in 2023 to focus on friendships, travel, family, and art-making. 

I am pleased to report that so far in 2023 I’ve had two delightful experiences with small group get-togethers making art! One was a long weekend in Tennessee with some teacher friends who I thought should know each other better. We ate, drank, hiked, and sat around in the evenings and created. It was blissful and informative. Organically, each person shared information or expertise that ended up helping out someone else on the trip. The best report was everyone went home and had the same conversation around their kitchen table the first night back - not one person got on each other’s nerves. Bwahahah! #winning

Sunny Carvalho's journal spread about a lady we found in a year book. 

A few weeks ago, one of my Paducah Art Tribe assembled a small group at her house -- friends we made through Ephemera Paducah -- and we sat outside on a gorgeous Spring day painting fabric. It was glorious and I have a great stash of original fabric to use in my stitching. Win-Win. 

I'm so happy to be painting with friends I didn't notice it on my face!

Making art with friends is the best. 

If you are missing hanging out at Ephemera Paducah, here are some ways to ease that pain and make art with some old or new friends!

Starting “at home” please get on the email lists of your local library, Ag-Extension Office, art center /museum, and art stores. You will be surprised that there is probably a local class you would enjoy. Or, consider teaching one!! My guess is if you’ve been into Mixed Media or Art Journaling for a while, you know more than you give yourself credit for. Offer up a 2-3 hour afternoon class to explore something like Stenciling or Art Journaling. 

One of those places probably also has a room for rent at a reasonable price if you’d like to have a regular meet-up for mixed media lovers. Imagine a weekly or monthly play date with your art buds. Heaven!

Since closing up shop, I’ve fielded messages from folks yearning for the in-person instruction we provided at Ephemera Paducah and the opportunity to find other creatives. I started compiling a list, and the good news is there are more places than I had originally estimated.

I thought it would be useful to share it with you and, PLEASE, add others in the comment section as I am sure I left some off.

This list ranges from once-a-year events to 2-week International Trips to plain old fun weekend get-togethers to hang out and work on your projects. So many of these places are on my "Bucket List" to visit. 

International Art Retreats

The Blue Walk - My husband, John, and I had a WONDERFUL experience with the Blue Walk tour company in 2019 when we went to Greece and Mary Beth Shaw was the Artist Instructor for the trip. And just got back from Amsterdam and Paris with the same tour guides and teacher. Jeanette and Suzy are the co-owners of the company and curate a “trip of a lifetime” every time. Mary Beth has taught for them in Italy, Paris, Amsterdam, and Greece and is teaching in Spain and Switzerland in 2024!!! The Blue Walk’s forte is “walking vacations based on a balance of adventure and relaxation. Art vacations cultivate immersive and inspiring experiences. This is what we offer. Our tours are soul-satisfying vacations enriched by the opportunity to grow physically and creatively.”

The Blue Walk tour in Greece, 2019

Essence of Mulranny - Mary Beth will be back in Ireland in 2024. She RAVED about this experience and place after teaching there in 2022. Mulranny is a small seaside village on Clew Bay in Co. Mayo. It is located at the dramatic western edge of Ireland, the end boundary of Europe. “Here, land and sea meet at the threshold of a powerful creative adventure.” They have an impressive lineup of 2023 Art Retreats.

Perigord Retreats in France - painting retreats hosted in the Perigord and Quercy, France. Includes everything in a luscious setting. StencilGirl Designer Rae Missigman is teaching there in June and in October you can catch Designer Cathy Nichols!

United States

A Work of Heart owned by Andrea Chebeleu in San Jose, California. I’ve taught at Andrea’s Shop/Studio and she has a fantastic set-up. On top of a wonderful library of online workshops and events, Andrea has in-person workshops that she and traveling artist-instructors teach. She has been in business for more than 20 years!

Way Art Yonder Studio owned by Jana Freeman in Jamul, California is about 25 miles east of downtown San Diego. Jana offers a variety of classes and a stellar lineup of instructors. Hospitality is very important to Jana and they curate a wonderful experience on their home property. 

2 Kat Studios is owned by Kat Kirby in Prescott, Arizona. Kat is a Soul Collage Facilitator, Bookmaker, Mixed Media Lover, and Creativity Coach. She teaches as well as hosts traveling artist-instructors. 

Everything Scrapbook and Stamps is owned by Michele McCosh in Wellington, Florida. Just announced that Dina Wakley is teaching there at the end of June!

Artistic Artifacts - Artistic Artifacts is a creative resource for fabric, fiber, and mixed media art products sold online and in our shop in Alexandria, VA. StencilGirl Designer Gwen Lafleur has a workshop coming up soon!

Jeanne Oliver Studios in Castle Rock, Colorado. Exquisitely curated workshops in Jeanne Oliver’s home. 

Studio Joy is owned by encaustic artist Amanda Jolley in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri. The studio was once a repair shop until Amanda and her husband converted it into the perfect live/work space. 

Yellow Brick Road Studio owned by Kerry Molina is getting ready to host its 7th Annual Creativity Camp July 17 - 21 in Gainesville, Virginia.

Kara Bullock Art School in Tustin, California offers monthly in-studio workshops featuring oil, acrylic, and portrait painting. She and traveling artist-instructors teach in the heart of wine country. 

Hunter Moon Homestead - in central Idaho. “Our artist retreats and healing workshops are designed to nourish your inner artist, guiding you through a journey of self-reflection and producing original artwork under the expert guidance of our instructors. Choose from our range of pond view cabins, furnished canvas glamping tents, or pitch your own tent on a raised wooden platform and experience a moment of tranquility in the heart of nature.”

Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. Mary Beth Shaw has taught here a number of times and absolutely raves about the facilities. She has a class coming up July 28 - 30, 2023 called Living Mixed Media. They have a huge catalog of classes from fiber to mixed media to voice!

Not to confuse you, but 

Shakerag Workshops offers a series of arts classes for adults in June each year atop the Cumberland Plateau in Sewanee, Tennessee. Instructors from around the world offer classes in a variety of media - knitting, basketry, book arts, clay, digital arts, felting, fiber, mixed media, jewelry, wood carving, and painting.

Art & Soul Retreats run by Glenny Moir 2023 & 2024 in Portland, Oregon. They have tons of great instructors over about a week. Lots of opportunities and Portland is such a cool arty town. Before I started Ephemera Paducah I enjoyed numerous Art and Soul Retreats. 

Craftin’ and Chatting with Lori and Elaine - These gals put on fun crop-style weekends in Georgia where you “craft, eat, sleep, and repeat!” Bring whatever you are working on and create away with other artistic and crafty folks. You’ll see scrapbooking, junk journaling, card making, and even diamond dot art painting and knitting. The next one coming up is Glamping! Join their Facebook group to stay in the loop. 

ArtHaus New Haven in New Haven, Missouri is opening the first week in June. Stephanie Gutierrez and Kathi Bell are embarking on an exciting new venture. Keep an eye on their website which should be live in early May. "ArtHaus New Haven is an innovative art studio that offers a holistic approach to inspire your creativity through mixed media, fabric arts, sculpture, watercolor, collage, art journaling, and more. They will offer weekly and monthly art classes, workshops, and retreats for beginner and seasoned artists, designed to nurture your emotional health and well-being."

Art Makers Denver run by Helen Rice, is a 3-day event in July in Downtown Denver, Colorado. Painting, metalsmithing, mixed media, and even doodling!

Sacred Makers Retreat at Squam at Rockywold Deephaven Camps in Holderness, New Hampshire, and hosted by Kiala and Damon Givehand June 7-11, 2023. Fiber, Mixed Media, Bookbinding, Paper Cutting, and Maker-in-Residence, StencilGirl Designer Tiffany Goff-Smith. Of course that is going to rock!

Squam - Spring and Fall gatherings at Rockywold Deephaven Camps in Holderness, New Hampshire. Knitting, fiber, and soul-searching in a rustic setting.

Dillman’s Art Retreat Workshops in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin (a resort on the White Sand Lake in Northern Wisconsin 12 miles from Minocqua) is featuring over 20 internationally known instructors teaching courses in watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, mixed media, collage, sketching, marketing and more in lakeside studios in 2023. 

Hudson River Valley Art Retreats in upstate New York. Originally founded by the Stevens Family, Hudson River Valley Art Workshops (HRVAW) began welcoming painters and instructors from around the world for summer art workshops and retreats in 1982. When current owners, Kim & Mark LaPolla, took over the business in 2005, they not only expanded the season but introduced art quilt and fiber art workshops to the region as well.

Madeline Island School of the Arts is offering workshops in multiple locations including Santa Fe, New Mexico, and La Pointe, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior. They world-class workshops in studio painting, plein air painting, quilting, photography, fiber arts, mixed media, and writing.

Pacific Northwest Art School in Coupeville, Washington is dedicated to bringing exceptional visual arts education to our community and beyond, by bringing nationally and internationally known faculty to their students in the mediums of fiber arts, mixed media, painting, and photography. 

Mabel Dodge Luhan House hosts a variety of artists in charming Taos, New Mexico. As a historic inn and conference center which offers retreat-style meetings and artistic, literary, and personal growth workshops, the Mabel Dodge Luhan House continues to build on its 80-year history of personal, intellectual, and artistic innovation and creativity. 

Penland School of Craft is located about an hour from Asheville, North Carolina in Bakersville, North Carolina. Each summer, the school offers about 100 one- and two-week workshops in books and paper, clay, drawing and painting, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking and letterpress, textiles, wood, and other media.

John C. Campbell Folk School is located in Brasstown, North Carolina (in the western part of the state) and offers year-round weeklong, and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, and more.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Their workshops are designed to provide creative opportunities for anyone who wants to learn new skills and be energized and inspired. Weekend, one-week and two-week sessions offer a concentrated experience of working in a professionally equipped studio with dedicated and talented instructors and other students. Currently they are offering everything from basket weaving to figure painting to chair making to glass jewelry. 

Those are the ones I am aware of, but please, add others in the comments where you enjoy attending or teaching in-person workshops & retreats!!

Whatever you do, keep creating!!!

Xoxo

Kristin 

A Gentle Reminder about Workshop Etiquette

Greetings! I am Kristin Williams, owner of Ephemera Paducah. I’ve hosted over 200 workshops, taught by traveling instructors or me, since opening my business in 2013. 

I’ve said to a lot of people that, since Covid, we’ve all changed a little bit (of course, Captain Obvious). Many of us haven’t been in groups of people in literally a couple of years. In light of that, a refresher on Workshop Etiquette is what I have for you today. Please take it in the spirit in which it is intended - helping to create a great experience in class for everyone! 

As teachers, we get it. 

You are very excited!!!

We really do get it. It’s a special time when an in-person workshop rolls around.

As teachers, we get excited, too!!!!  

And anxious, nervous, and hoping to do our very, very best so that all our students have a great experience in class. 

Excitement sometimes morphs into events or behaviors that disrupt the class, upset the flow of the experience, create stress for teachers and fellow students, or break trust within the group. Some events are beyond everyone’s control but, there are actions you can take to help create the environment we all crave when taking an in-person workshop.  

I posed three (3) questions to a number of popular teachers who are on our mixed media circuit. They all answered within 24 hours. Quotes are in italics; other answers I combined and added my own thoughts and experiences.

What behaviors from students do you appreciate the most when teaching in-person?

What behaviors do you appreciate the least when teaching in-person.

What advice would give someone getting ready to attend their first in-person workshop?

For the most part, answers to questions 1 & 2 mirrored each other at either ends of the spectrum. 

1. Punctuality Makes a Huge Difference.  

Starting late can throw the whole day off!

Showing up on time was identified by numerous respondents, which indicates this is an issue.

We all know stuff happens — traffic, sick kids, alarms, waking up in a strange city. Make sure to have contact information for the venue or someone else in class to call if you are going to be late. Calling or messaging the teacher is not helpful, at all. 

I appreciate those that respect and honor the starting and ending times of a workshop. Those that do not show up way early (which can be disruptive to the flow) and those that do not stay and linger afterward (which can be draining after a long day of teaching). 

2. Read & Follow the Communications About Class

When in doubt or seeking information, go back to the class description, first. Supply lists, class dates & times, address of the venue should all be there. 

Read the Emails. Unless your class is specifically tied to a social media platform, information will come via email. Please read them. Expect that important information about your class may be coming via email near class time. 

Please refrain from using one of a dozen other ways to ask questions about class like in a Facebook post or via Instagram Messenger (unless specified by the venue). Sometimes I spend 15 minutes looking for the question that flashed across my screen. Email, please. 

3. Supplies 

 Pack light for a better workshop experience!

I have literally groaned when I’ve seen Roller Bags come into the Studio when supplies that would fit in a toolbox are all that was required. It creates a space issue, cramps neighbors at tables, and instead of being in the moment and using what is provided, students waste valuable class time digging through stuff for the imagined “perfect” piece of somethingorother. 

Bring the supplies on the list. Don’t overpack, especially if that class takes place at a store where additional supplies are available. 

And, please be respectful of shared supplies. 

Don’t dispense paint you will never use. 

Don’t treat supplies that are shared in a wasteful or destructive manner.

Don’t hog the shared supplies. 

4. Listen, Be Curious & Go With the Flow

You paid for the class and made time to take it, let the teachers take you there. Do it their way and see what happens. Use the supplies they recommend and share. 

Listen with both ears. Take notes. 

I appreciate it when students are receptive and trust me to guide them through the process. The students who can grasp the concept that we are there to learn, and perfection is just not part of that equation are the best. 

I love it when students listen and ask relevant questions. 

I don’t appreciate it when students are on their phones and not listening when I am talking. 

I do not appreciate it when a demo is going on with the teacher instructing and an experienced student interrupts with their own experience unintentionally hijacking the demo.

I appreciate when people are engaged and ask questions but do not appreciate when they monopolize the conversation, try to show they know more than the teacher, or have unrealistic expectations of personal attention from the teacher for any number of reasons. 

Please don't be "A Creeper." 
Make sure not to spill into someone's space

5. Be Responsible for the Energy You Bring into the Space 

There are the basics like not talking during demos, cleaning up your mess, and not encroaching on someone else’s workspace that helps shape the workshop, but there are some less obvious things that can seriously impact the vibe in your workshop.

I do not appreciate it when someone is on their phone throughout the day and then suddenly verbally blasts out some kind of terrible "breaking news story" which can bum out the entire positive creative vibe. 

An individual’s anxiety and fear of not knowing what is coming next can impact the class as well as the students who are so paralyzed by perfectionism that they bring the whole room down with self-deprecating phrases like “oh, this is horrible” or “my work looks like garbage.”

Be kind. Art classes should be safe places. All artists are welcome whether new to the subject matter or advanced. We all need kind words. It’s often simple and kind reinforcement that drives artists to do better and try new things. I really like it when I see people encouraging and uplifting each other no matter the caliber or level of their work. 

I appreciate the students who pay attention, respect, and assist with the ADA accommodations in place for students with disability needs so that they can have an inclusive workshop experience. 

6. Understand this is your Teacher’s & Venue’s Livelihood.

The great ones make teaching look easy but please do not underestimate the time, energy, and financial resources that go into teaching on this circuit. Don't let the buzz of creative energy or the party atmosphere obscure the fact that they are working. 

Ask before taking photos and take them in moderation. Also, give credit where credit is due.

I don’t appreciate it when someone is at their table talking about great deals at Big Box stores while being in a small store. 

I’ve seen students take photos of everything a teacher brings, paging through journals, and it erodes trust wondering where they will end up. 

Every teacher has different ways they recharge for the next day. As an “Extroverted Introvert” my “charm factor” wears off by the end of the day. Please don’t hold it against me if I need to go back to my hotel room instead of a group dinner so that I can be my absolute best in class the next day. 

Many students are genuinely intrigued by how artist-instructors or venue owners have created their businesses. And, most venue owners and artists enjoy sharing their stories. But, not in the middle of teaching or running a class. Make a connection and follow up with a phone appointment if this information is something that will help you find your way. If you are looking for a critique of your portfolio or business plan, consider asking what they would charge for that service and make an appointment for that before assuming it comes with their presence in class. 

90% of the teachers have quit using handouts for class because of sharing after the fact. I have never allowed video in my class for the same reason. Please do not go home and “teach” your friends step-by-step instructions of what you learned in class. 

I’ve posed to a student or two, imagine if you had 20+ people watching you do your job. How much would you appreciate someone you just met sitting in the corner of your office and correcting you as you worked in front of an audience? Would you appreciate it if they second-guessed, out loud, what you were doing? Please let teachers do their job and save any constructive criticism for a private conversation or feedback survey. 

Finally, here are suggestions for first-timers (or those who are venturing back into in-person workshops).

Enjoy the moment. It’s a workshop where you are learning a new skill and not becoming a master in a couple of hours. Realize that the teacher, and possibly some fellow students, have spent years, sometimes decades, to attain their skills. 

Do it even though you are scared. 

Be open to going to the places the instructor brings you to, and be excited because the experience may change you as an artist. 

Relax. Release yourself from the need to have a perfect outcome. Go to classes to experiment and learn. You can take skills home and make something awesome but you may not make amazing art in class. (And that is OK.)

Come as a Kindergartener.

Look around you. You won’t be the only new person. Engage with the other students. 

Show up just are you are. You are already creative enough. As a first-timer, you may be sitting shoulder to should with those who have more wisdom or experience but all are uniquely connecting through creative camaraderie. Enjoy the workshop and give yourself permission to express your own creative voice. 

What I have found is students are most importantly seeking community. Wanting to spend time with like-hearted others to create together. Being in a safe space of welcome and belonging….This is where the experience transforms from perfunctory to a powerful gathering for all. 

Thank you for taking this in the spirit in which it was intended -- A gentle reminder of the role you can play in curating an incredible workshop experience for our mixed media community. If I've left something out or something really resonated with you, please comment, below. 

Mary Beth Shaw's VLOG: April 2022

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Mary Beth's VLOG!

Stay tuned!

Mary Beth Shaw will be back again next month with another new VLOG post!

Mary Beth Shaw's VLOG: March 2022

Join Mary Beth in Amsterdam and Paris!

Click here for more information and registration!

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Mary Beth's VLOG!

Stay tuned!

Mary Beth Shaw will be back again next month with another new VLOG post!

What's the biggest reason Carolyn Dube loves stencils?

What’s the biggest reason I love stencils? Carolyn Dube from aColorfullJourney.com here with an answer to that very hard question. If I had to narrow it down to one single reason I love stencils, it’s because each person can use them in their own style or way!

Let me show you what I mean by sharing gel prints made by the amazing creative and playful women who joined me at EphemeraPaducah for my Colorful Layers gel printing workshop!

Ephemera Paducah is the store and studio of fellow StencilGirl® designer, Kristin Williams.  Her place has such a wonderful energy and creative vibe to it!

These women all used the same Gel Press gel plates and StencilGirl® stencils but everyone was printing in their style, using colors they loved, and creating something uniquely theirs!  

Picket Fences stencil

1700s Building stencil

Art Nouveau stencil

Uplifting Words stencil

Rock Wall stencil

Filigree Sprigs stencil

Trio of Houses stencil

Geometric Sky stencil

Opera House stencil

Circle 9 stencil

Curvy Stems stencil

 

Now you know the biggest reason why I love stencils.  What’s the number one reason you love them?

Art Workshop with StencilGirl® Products

Hi, everyone! Jennifer Evans here!

Recently I taught an art workshop at Periwinkle Art Studio using my 9" x 12" Butterflies Play in the Garden stencil and Playful Butterflies stencil, and I couldn't wait to share photos!

We used cold pressed Watercolor paper (9" x 12") and the stencils to position the butterflies (and any flowers, if desired). The watercolor tends to seep a bit under the stencils, so it's beneficial to use a medium brush with not a whole lot of liquid loaded in it. This is just meant to get the shape of the butterflies on paper -- you can fill in and correct any blips once you carefully remove the stencil.

Class participants used either watercolor or gouache -- it's really just preference.

If you like watercolor, use watercolor. If you want something more vibrant and opaque, use gouache.

Once the composition is decided and the butterfly images are outlined,

begin the process of filling in the wings.

Add a background.

This is mostly water and just a little pigment, so as not to distract from the central image.

When everything is dry, use markers and pens to add outlines and doodle patterns into the wings.

If you have a word or phrase for 2020, this is a great time to feature it! (see my finished example).

Here is one more project, using Butterfly Wings of Whimsy stencil: a greeting card I made with that stencil!

Using the Strathmore Watercolor Greeting Card stock, create a light colored background with watercolors of your choice.

On a scrap of mixed media or Bristol paper, stencil some wings.

I used blue and magenta acrylic paint to do this.

Cut out the wings and arrange on the greeting card, once the background is dry.

Secure with matte medium or Mod Podge.

For the butterfly body, I used bits of twine, also secured with decoupage medium. 

Embellish the wings with acrylic paint.

Allow to dry, then outline with thin brush or black marking pen.

Happy Spring!

Jennifer

NEW! Spontaneous Intent Workshop with Mary Beth Shaw

Join Mary Beth Shaw for her Spontaneous Intent Workshop at Ephemera Paducah in 2020! In this class, we will explore tons of spontaneous techniques that focus on printmaking, surface design, collage, and painting – all with the intent to make interesting component parts for our art journal and other mixed media projects.

In our first half-day, we will make a Collagraph plate and experiment with several types of printmaking to create beautiful painted papers. We will make marks, fling paint, tear paper and then pull it all together in beautifully layered journal spreads.

Expect to learn specific ways to design a layout, ramp up the visual interest and fully integrate the page. We will use acrylic and watercolor products including paint, ink, texture medium, pencils, markers, and pastels. Any level of student is welcome and prior students will find lots of new techniques to expand their mixed media repertoire

Mary Beth will bring all the acrylic and watercolor paints, mediums, gessos and other supplies to make Collagraph plates. She will furnish crayons, markers, inks, papers, stamps, stencils and collage items.

Registrations are going on now.  Sign up HERE!

Painted & Bound: A Handmade Journal

Mary Beth Shaw

Painted & Bound:

a handmade journal

StencilGirl Product's very own Mary Beth Shaw is returning to the Pendleton Art Center in 2020 for a two day Friday + Saturday retreat!

FRI, April 17 and SAT, April 18, 2020

9:30A - 4:30P

W H O O T!

Click HERE for Mary Beth's TWO day event details + how to make it a Middletown hullabaloo weekend! 

There is only ONE ticket remaining!!