Poetry in Collage
a unique art workshop
by Shannyn Snyder, Instructor
Dates: November 2-4, 2012
Cost: $245.00 (includes all art sessions, workspace and supplies)
Accommodations and meals not included.
A special weekend retreat for artists of any experience level, or writers may compliment their retreat stay at The Porches with collage art, a unique means to inspire new creativity. A uniquely beautiful art space, a historical church, is the perfect place to surround ourselves with new friends and new experiences. First formally introduced in fine art in the early 1900s, collage is a method of both self-expression and experimentation. Advanced registration required for both participating writers and workshop guests. Workshop accommodation inquiries should be made directly to The Porches.
Friday Evening (6:00pm – 8:00pm)
Meet and Greet - Get acquainted with The Porches and fellow writers or artists over a wine and cheese in the Parlor. Open to all guests of the Porches.
Saturday: Early Poets
Morning session (9:30am-12:30pm)
Armature and mask forms
Altered art mini book
2D altered art doll
Lunch (12:30pm – 2:00pm) - please take a few moments before or after lunch to collect a few “felled” natural elements, such as a leaf, feather, bark, twig, small stone, which we will use in a Sunday afternoon project.
Afternoon session (2:00pm-6:00pm)
Altered art journals
Our afternoon will begin with “rummaging and reflection,” an opportunity to browse art reference books and poetry, as well as your own materials, to begin designing your altered art journal.
Workshop artists should bring objects to incorporate into their projects from special photos, fibers, trinkets, coins, charms and anything else that inspires. Old diaries and journals, photo albums and scratchpads can all lend to the creative process and will be for your reference only, as artist will each have their own creative space in which to work. Before the weekend, I recommend photocopying photos, letters and other personal items that you wish to add to your journals, as these should be glued in, edges tattered, colors aged or altered, to make your art truly your own. If desired, originals may be used.
The altered art journals will be an ongoing process, something special that you can continue after our weekend, as you leave space between the embellishments and art to jot down your thoughts, special moments to remember or tuck memorabilia in hidden envelopes and pockets.
Take your journals to your room to write your first entries, as you relax and retire for the evening.
Sunday: Modern Poets
Morning session (9:30am-11:30pm)
Collaged canvas collection
Mask
Lunch (11:30pm-1:00pm) – please take a few moments before or after lunch to collect a few “felled” natural elements, such as a leaf, feather, bark, twig, small stone, which we will use in a Sunday afternoon project.
Afternoon session (1:00pm – 4:00pm)
To enhance the personality and sentiments of your prayer flags, please bring fabric scraps, pieces of old clothing and hankies, ribbons and even premade swatches and quilting. Some of these items will be to share and those items that are personal (perhaps a scrap from a uniform or a bridal trousseau) will be for only your use. Our communal stash will evoke conversation and a kindred spirit, as we stitch and sew our pieces together. Flag surfaces will be approximately 5x8, so bear in mind the space when planning pieces to bring, but scraps and ribbons to share can be of any size (and cut). Prayer flag elements can be layered and visual examples will be shown to lend inspiration. Each artist will make six prayer flags – two to keep and four to exchange with fellow workshop artists. When making a quilting square or ACEO, recommended size is 3x5 so that it can be layered or joined with other elements.
Tibetian Prayer Flags
Birdhouse
Notes for Participants:
Artists are welcome to bring a small cooler or carafe to the art space, as beverages and snacks are allowed. We will break for lunch each day and end before dinner. The nearest kitchen space is at The Porches, with limited refrigerator space and facilities for preparing meals.
A portable bathroom (personalized just a touch) is available at the art space, but all artists may use the ground-floor bathroom at The Porches during the workshop.
Workshop guests are encouraged to “dress for the weather” or in layers, to peel off or put on, as the climate in the art space will vary. Artists are also welcome to bring small projects or reading, in case you finish your project ahead of others, and lively conversation is encouraged! You are also welcome to finish the morning projects during lunch or in the afternoons, but we ask that all supplies and tools be kept in the art space. Although the finished projects are all yours to take home after the weekend, art supplies, materials, tools and crafting notions may not be taken home. I always bring more than we will need, but the supplies span use in my various workshops. I recommend continuing unfinished projects at home, inspired by what you have experienced during the weekend and purchasing additional craft store items or adding items from home to enhance and complete your work.
Guests departing on Sunday will need to confirm check-out time with Trudy Hale and may need to bring baggage to the foyer or parlor prior to the first morning session.
Please make note of the recommended items in the itinerary, as the personal items will enhance your art and make it truly and uniquely your own.
Transportation note: Please bring a large folder, a stash of grocery bags or bubble wrap, newsprint or tissue paper, and a box or container to safely transport your projects home. More than likely, many of your projects will still be wet or in the drying stages, so to protect both the art and your vehicle, I recommend a separate box for each of your larger projects: mask and birdhouse and a plastic tablecloth to set your canvases on in the backseat or trunk on the drive home.
To register, contact Trudy Hale at: trudyhale@gmail.com. Registration closes October 1, 2012 or when full. 50% deposit is due at the time of registration, in addition to accommodation deposit. 
