Here We Go Again... Colorado Springs 2019!

Erin Keck's workshop, Adornments with Found Objects

Well, our inaugural Art & Soul Retreat in Colorado Springs was a smashing success! Not only was it a dream of mine finally fully realized, but for the attendees it was a much needed respite in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. Our teachers flourished in this creative town. And our temporary home for the week —The Hotel Eleganté — was just as happy to have us, as we were to be there. It definitely showed in the way we and our students were taken care of. So, we're going to do it again!

Watercolor Travel Journaling with Helen Shafer Garcia

That's right... Art & Soul will be going back to Colorado Springs in 2019! And not only that, but we've gathered up dozens of talented instructors, with fantastic mixed media classes to offer, and we've already put them online for you!

A beautiful Spool Journal from Ingrid Dijkers

We have 86 full day and evening classes to choose from in painting, drawing, doodling, journaling, bookmaking, collage, assemblage, sculpting, jewelry, fabric, fiber arts, sewing and more! Then there's the 26 talented and professional instructors teaching them! Plus we're offering you an Early Bird Special... sign up before September 1st and you'll get 50% off the registration fee. Usually $50 per retreat, you'll only pay $25. Just a little incentive to register now, before your favorite classes fill up.

Fabric Collage Prayer flags you can make with Liz Kettle

So, if you joined us the first time, we hope you'll come again. And if you didn't get to create in Colorado Springs yet, we hope you'll consider attending our next mixed media retreat in the Rockies. The camaraderie and excitement that you get to experience at our in-person retreats... well, we think you'll really love it!

Art & Soul Colorado 2019

May 28 - June 2, 2019

at The Hotel Elegante

Colorado Springs, CO

We know summer days and weekends can get pretty busy, so take a little break... grab yourself a cool beverage... and browse our website to pick your favorite workshops. You can browse our selections by class descriptions, by individual instructors, and even by example project photos. Sign up today to get in on our Early Bird special. Happy Browsing!

Welcome to the Hotel... Colorado!

On a dark desert highway, taxi driver needs his fare

Small panic (did I bring enough supplies?), rising up through the air

Up ahead in the distance, I saw a marvelous sight

There were voices shouting, "look what we made!"

I had to stop for the night!

Welcome to the Hotel Eleganté! It's a lovely place

And we need your lovely face... 

to join us there!

Art & Soul Colorado Springs, CO

May 29 - June 3, 2018

at the Hotel Eleganté

As you all know by now, Colorado Springs Art & Soul is a long time dream of mine, not just because of the amazingly gorgeous location — compliments of Mother Nature— but because this area allows our event to become a fully immersive experience where we can make Art and feed our Soul. Allow me to elaborate...

Let's start with the Hotel Eleganté, which is the central hub of it all, and staying there brings a whole new dynamic to your time at Art & Soul Retreat. The kickoff party, our amazing classes, the well-stocked on-site store, our unique Vendor Night sale, pop-up parties, restaurants to get together with friends and share your experiences... all take place in the Hotel. It's a non-stop gathering of your tribe from morning to night, and it's so much fun to be around like minded souls. We want to be sure you can make the most of your playcation, so be sure and register for classes and book your stay right away, as our discounted block of rooms is filling up fast! The reduced rate ends April 1st, so don't delay!

Hotel Eleganté itself is glorious. The rooms are large and comfortable with plenty of space to lay out your supplies for nighttime art-making and impromptu gatherings. In addition to an inviting full service restaurant and lounge, they have an outdoor patio with an amazing view, a Sweet Shop that includes a bakery, ice cream parlor and a Starbucks (oh, yeah!). They've got indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzi, a full-service spa and more. We had a wonderful time getting to know the place for classes and fun.

In your down-time, there's so much to see and do in Colorado Springs, within a short distance from the Hotel. You can go hiking, zip-lining, kayaking, and horseback riding. Visit a castle, historic towns and villages, old west museums, or go see a rodeo. There's even railroad tours of the mountains and surrounding areas. And really there's so much more! If your week isn't filled with classes and even if it is, there's still tons of reasons to stick around and see the area.

And our Colorado Springs location brings with it some additional unique opportunities. We are thrilled to be working in tandem with a couple of art centers nearby. Cottonwood Center for the Arts, is a two story arts complex, located within a refurbished office building in downtown Colorado Springs. They'll be hosting a First Friday event, featuring gallery shows and open studios for you to explore and meet local artists.

And we're also working in tandem with the Textiles West Innovation Lab where they'll be facilitating  Peggy Dlugos' Eco Dying class. This location has the capability of allowing students to utilize vats of dye, sinks and heat steaming processes that are used in the art of fabric printing. We certainly can't do that at the hotel, LOL!

As you can see, there's a whole lot of reasons to join Art & Soul in Colorado Springs. So, grab yourself a beverage and a snack, and visit our website to get more information about our newest event, the relaxing spa Hotel, the creative Workshops we have to offer... and our fabulous Instructors. We're looking forward to seeing you there and making this a permanent location in our retreat lineup!

© images courtesy of The Hotel Eleganté, Cottonwood Center for the Arts, and Textiles West

Art & Soul Radio... Tune in for Uncovering The Layers with Chris Cozen, Mon., June 10th

At the time of this interview, Chris Cozen’s (and co-author, Julie Prichard’s) latest book, Acrylic Solutions: Exploring Mixed Media Layer by Layer was #1 in 2 Amazon categories - mixed media AND acrylics. A wonderful accomplishment for this accomplished artist.

 Chris Cozen has always had a creative streak, dabbling throughout her youth without any formal training, taking a few design courses over the years. Trained as an educator, Chris spent 30 years as teacher, administrator, college Instructor, and Seminar Leader doing art when the time and space allowed. When she retired from education in 2000, she built a studio and focused her efforts full-time on her art.

Chris is essentially a self-taught artist with an innate understanding of color and design. Many of her pieces are “stories” of people and experiences, enriched with pieces of family history. Her work is colorful, whimsical, and intricate, building layer upon layer of meaning along with color and collage elements. 

 

She is a member of the WORKING ARTIST team at Golden Artist Colors, Inc.. Chris enjoys the process of exploring the many art materials. Her many hands-on workshops and speaking engagements focus on Acrylics and their possiblities, especially in mixed-media. So please join us for an inspirational chat this Monday...

Art & Soul Radio featuring Chris Cozen
with Lesley Riley
Monday, June 10th
7:00pm EST
blogtalkradio.com/art-and-soul-radio

Make Room... Time is Running Out!

Just wanted to pop in for a friendly reminder about Vegas...

The last day to make reservations and get the Art & Soul rate at the Green Valley Ranch is May 22. So if you have not reserved your room for our Las Vegas Retreat at this gorgeous venue — give them a call NOW!!!

Green Valley Ranch Resort
2300 Paseo Verde Parkway
Henderson, NV 89052
702-617-7777

See you in the sun,
Glenny xoxo


© photo courtesy of Green Valley Ranch Resort

Nevada is Calling You!

A little over a month away folks... is our Las Vegas Art & Soul Retreat! Set in the beautiful Green Valley Ranch Resort, it's a little "Vegas away from Vegas".

Twenty minutes outside the hustle and bustle of the City of Lights, you'll get the more elegant version of fun and excitement while you enjoy the vast selection of Art & Soul's mixed media workshops.

This lovely venue has it's own casino pit indoors and it's very own "Strip" — a convenient outdoor walking & shopping district right outside the hotel — with no busy streets to cross! So when you're not making art... there's plenty to do closeby.

So if you haven't signed up yet, check out our amazing selection of Vegas workshops taught by our talented instructors and place your bets on joining us June 14-18. We guarantee you'll be a winner! Oh, and Mom's Day is just around the corner... so we don't mind if you drop a couple hints to hubby or the kids.... tell them Gift Certificates are available!