Workshop I (June 14): Art in Nature
Join Amy Dose and learn about ‘the pleasure of seeing’. Whether you are a seasoned painter or a never-ever beginner, come and visually explore your environment. The opportunity to be delighted by something one sees can arise at any moment. However, as our fast paced lives become fuller, it becomes harder to stop and SEE. Take this opportunity to stop, open your senses and experience (or re-experience) this amazing place in which we live. With brushes in hand, we will begin to explore how our visual experiences fertilize our painting. This is a preview to a three day workshop The Pleasure of Seeing.

Workshop II (June 21): River Cubes
Participants create cube-shaped sculptures with waste gathered from nearby rivers. Artists will research and discuss the importance of keeping our rivers and natural habitats clean. Students will collect waste from the surrounding areas and will then design and build a river cube from those materials. The River Cubes are inspired by artist Bob Johnson who creates public sculptures that creatively harvest waste streams and transform the resulting bounty into lively conversations and mute testaments to what our culture leaves behind. Please feel free to bring your own trash.

Workshop III (June 28): Painting with the Environment
Students will explore and re-create the work of German artist Ulrike Arnold’s Earth paintings, a process whereby pigments are plucked directly from the environment to create an abstract canvas painting.

Workshop IV (July 5): Plein Air Landscape Painting
Paint the majestic landscapes of the Vail Valley area. The Instructor will demonstrate painting techniques, design concepts, materials and preparation and guide you through the process of landscape painting. Designed for all levels, this class will provide an in-depth look at the artist’s creative process and the technical applications needed to become proficient in landscape painting. Instruction will take place outdoors at a spectacular location. Please wear layers and bring a rain coat, sun block and a hat.

Workshop V (July 12): Kinetic Art
Create sculptures that dance in the wind. Students will be guided through the process of design and construction of wind-inspired kinetic sculptures like streamers and mobiles. Using materials provided, they will compose their own expressions of the interaction between wind and sculpture.

Workshop VI (July 19): Art In Nature the Andy Goldsworthy Way
Artist Andy Goldsworthy creates art in nature – with nature. This class will study the work of Andy Goldsworthy and then be guided by our instructor to design and create art inspired by Goldsworthy’s style. Images will be captured on film, video and photo-sensitive paper. Students will also be taught how to create art in their own space.

Workshop VII (July 26): Labyrinths
Labyrinths are found in many cultures dating back as far as 3,500 years ago. The labyrinth has a single path leading to its center, and is both an artistic creation and an artistic process. For example, today labyrinth walks are used for meditation, contemplation and personal growth as they encourage visitors to approach the path with simplicity and on their own terms. This class will study the history of labyrinths as well as construction of them. After instruction in labyrinth designs and models, students will build a community labyrinth to contribute to Vail’s Art in Public Places! 

Workshop VIII (August 2): Nature in Water Color with Patrick Espy
Watercolor offers a wonderful opportunity to evoke the beautiful unpredictability of nature. Enjoyable for beginning artists, this class still has much to offer those who are more advanced. Together, we will set up our palettes, discuss tools and materials, learn the basic washes and brush strokes, and develop a better understanding of this exciting medium.

Workshop IX (August 9): Habitat for Blue Birds
Build a home for the Blue Birds.…or any birds! We will provide you with the materials and instruction and you will provide a house for blue birds, owls or other creatures of the sky. Decorated with natural materials, your birdhouse can add to the beauty of your yard or be donated to The Nature Center to support its developing bird habitat.

Workshop X (August 16): Mandalas in Nature
Mandalas are round or square images of repeating patterns that rotate around a powerful center. The repetition and rotation give the design an often-palpable strength and energy. With motifs inspired by nature – like peacocks, swans, mango, flowers and creepers – and colors derived from natural dyes – like tree bark, leaves and berries – mandalas uniquely express unity with art and nature. In this class, students will immerse themselves in nature to discover and understand its patterns to create both an individual and a community Mandala.