Retreats
Various projects drying outdoors.
Spring Focus on Fiber Classic
Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL
March 15-21, 2010 - $800
Extra Workshops available March 21-22
Focus on Fiber is an annual gathering of artists spanning the field of fiber from felting through hooking, quilting, painting, dyeing and manipulation. There is no technique or material ignored as we bring together fiber artists including quilters, rug hookers, knitters, felters, sculptors, and recyclers for a retreat in the woods at Atlantic Center for the Arts. Artists work on original designs and share their knowledge as they dye and paint fabrics, collaborate, and learn techniques from one another. There are no formal instructions or format except for meal times. Participants can work all day or night by themselves or in groups in a secure wooded facility in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The event is self-directed and appeals to novice through professional.
Friends who live apart by several states come to be with each other, and instructors come from all over to be able to play without the pressure of having to teach a class. Many are generous with their skills and provide short demos in thermofaxing, printing, dyeing, batiking, hooking and silk dyeing while they play. There are also those who allow us to try their sewing, felting and embroidery machines.
If members wish to participate, we can present evening lectures and open discussions, or instructors can sign up to do small demos. There are also trips to museums, the beach and local towns which can be ignored along with eco boat rides. Everyone is provided with a county map, and a list of all the local thrift shops.
It’s wonderful to see the artists interact and reach out to each other. Within hours everyone seems to be comfortably sharing their wisdom and entertaining stories. Though some artists start at the crack of dawn, some with power walks while others begin their dye pots, by four PM most of them are gathering on the cabin porches or in front of the Commons (café) for drinks and stories. After dinner prepared by our personal chef, it’s back to the studios until eyes are too bleary to continue.
There is usually an opportunity to do some freestyle dancing in the afternoon or after supper. For added health, there is a yoga instructor who leads stretching exercises before lunch and does personal message afterwards by appointment. There is also a fleet of fat wheeled bikes for treks around the neighborhood or to the beach (3 miles).
To view the facilities, go to Atlantic Center for the Arts. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is due to secure your registration. The remainder is due on arrival.
Contact me at mrsgorgon@gmail.com.
Left: Jan Gerod, Atlanta, GA, in deep discussion with Rosemary Gray-Claus, Donaphin, MO, while Heidi Miracle-McMahill, Woodstock, GA, searches for the right piece of fabric. 03/08
Below: Patricia Turner, Charolotte Harbor, shows off her work to Rosalie Wolf, Cape Canaveral, rug hooker and jeweler. 03/08
Above: Linda Dawson, St. Petersburg, with her fiber alcamey of painting, dyeing and stenciling. 03/08
Four Women Laughing Like Hell
This work was created during and completed after Pamela Allen attended the 2006 Focus on Fiber Retreat. The work was shown in I-4 Corridor: Stretching Threads Across Florida and features artists (L-R) Claire Fenton, Mary McBride (back), Rosemary Claus-Gray and Pamela Allen.
SAQA grls of Spring 2008, Top: Kathy Briggs, Patricia Turner, Veronica Von Zwehl & Deb Cashatt. Bottom: Mary McBride, Jan Girod, Rosemary Claus-Gray, Carol Holsopple, Marianne Williamson, Liz Berg, Pamela Allen and Jacque Davis.
Marian Shirk built her loom and wove several shawls at the retreat 03/9
General Information about most retreats at Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach
Fees
5 Days with/without Instructor
•
Private room (double bed) and bath, all meals, studio space with instruction: $800
Private room (double bed) and bath, all meals, studio space with instruction: $800•Private room (double bed) and bath, all meals, studio space/no instruction: $700
Private room (double bed) and bath, all meals, studio space/no instruction: $700•Cottage with queen sized bed, meals, studio, w/wo instruction: $1,100
Cottage with queen sized bed, meals, studio, w/wo instruction: $1,100•Day Tripper: All meals, studio space and instruction: $600
Day Tripper: All meals, studio space and instruction: $600•Day Tripper: Studio and meals only: $400
Day Tripper: Studio and meals only: $400To add a second person to your room, add your basic fee, $20 per day, plus Day Tripper fees: $400 for meals and studio or $600 with instruction.
7 Days without Instructor
•Private room (double bed) and bath, all meals, studio space: $800
Private room (double bed) and bath, all meals, studio space: $800•Day Tripper: Studio and meals only: $500
Day Tripper: Studio and meals only: $500•Cottage with queen sized bed, meals, studio, $1,300
Cottage with queen sized bed, meals, studio, $1,300To add a second person to your room, add your basic fee, $20 per day, plus $400 for meals and studio.
Facts
•Students who are staying on campus may arrive on Monday morning of start of retreat, and depart on day
Students who are staying on campus may arrive on Monday morning of start of retreat, and depart on day after retreat ends by 11 AM.
•Bedding and towels supplied. Small refrigerator in each room. Cash laundry available in housing.
Bedding and towels supplied. Small refrigerator in each room. Cash laundry available in housing.•Personal Chef Sue Flynn will prepare all meals. She can adapt menus to special diets.
Personal Chef Sue Flynn will prepare all meals. She can adapt menus to special diets.•Arrive and depart from Daytona Beach, Orlando or Orlando/Sanford airports.
Arrive and depart from Daytona Beach, Orlando or Orlando/Sanford airports.To view the facilities, go to Atlantic Center for the Arts. There are 28 private rooms and 3 cabins.
Deposit due by January 5: $100 non-refundable deposit due at time of registration, balance due 2 weeks prior to arrival. If cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen events, full amount will be refunded. If attendee cancels, and spot cannot be filled, a portion will be retained to pay fees.
To register by credit card, go online to www.AtlanticCenterForTheArts.org and go to the DONATION button. State that the $100 is for the Focus on Fiber retreat. You may also mail a check to Atlantic Center for the Arts, 1414 Art Center Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168. Make sure to denote it for the retreat. Then just email Mary McBride at MrsGorgon@gmail.com with the receipt or check number, and your contact information.
Before lunch, we have a yoga teacher available. She also gives fantastic massages in the afternoons. In the late afternoon members meet to dance in the darkened theater to work out their kinks and restore their energy. After dinner, participants may dance around the dining room or hold discussions on fiber and art. Others head back to the studios for a few more hours of sewing, painting, dyeing and wine tasting. Shown here are Linda Hoffmeister, Pamela Allen and Mary McGraw dancing to 50's rock and roll.
