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!

Colorado Art & Soul... Two Weeks From Today!

Oh, joy of joys! My dream realized — an Art & Soul event in Colorado — is happening two weeks from today! I truly and sincerely can't believe it's actually here already. I'm so excited and I hope you are too! One of the very special things about having our retreat in Colorado Springs, well... it's not just the absolutely gorgeous location, it's also that this area allows our event to become a fully immersive experience.

Art & Soul Colorado Springs, CO

May 29 - June 3, 2018

at the Hotel Eleganté

Of course we have a fabulous lineup of mixed media workshops in all your favorite categories... collage, assemblage, painting, sculpting, bookmaking, journaling, jewerly, fabric & fiber arts, Zentangle... but there's so much more!

The 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 get-togethers. 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. They've got indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzi, a full-service spa and more.

Then there's our kickoff party, the well-stocked on-site store, our unique Vendor Night Extravaganza (open to the public for all you locals!), pop-up parties, restaurants to gather with friends and share your experiences. 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. 

In your down-time, there's so much to see and do in Colorado Springs. 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 tons of reasons to explore the area.

And our Colorado location brings with it some unique local opportunities. We'll be working with Cottonwood Center for the Arts — a two story arts complex inside a refurbished office building in downtown Colorado Springs. They'll be hosting a First Friday Art Show, featuring gallery shows and open studios for you to explore and meet local artists. We're also working with the Textiles West Innovation Lab who'll be facilitating Peggy Dlugos' Eco Dying class. This center has the capability of allowing students to utilize all kinds of space, amenities and specialized equipment used in the art of fabric printing.

So, as you can see, there's a whole lot of reasons to join Art & Soul in Colorado Springs. If you haven't signed up for classes yet, some of your favorite workshops are still available. You can check out our Colorado Retreat online or contact us directly with any last minute questions you may have. We're looking forward to seeing you there and making this a permanent location in our retreat lineup!

© some images courtesy of The Hotel Eleganté, Cottonwood Center for the Arts

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

How Do You Spell MINNEAPOLIS?

Our newest Minneapolis Art & Soul event will be going on it's second year this Spring, and like our other long-running events, there's no lack of amazing attributes to this Midwest retreat. So we'd like to spell it out for you, and tell you how this marvelous mixed-media meetup will thrill and delight all levels of creative individuals...

M is for Making Amazing Art
Whether you like drawing, painting, collage, assemblage, dolls, fabric, fiber, jewelry, journaling, bookmaking, and the like... you're going to make some amazing art here. 

I is for Inspiration
There's no lack of inspiration at Art & Soul! Whether it's the instructors, your fellow attendees, seeing other students' work, our amazing on-site store filled with goodies, new products to try, demonstrations to watch, or finding just the right thing-a-ma-bob at our pop up Vendor Extravaganza, you'll be inspired beyond measure.

N is for New Friends
When you are gathered amongst like-minded souls, kindred spirits and creative individuals, there's just something that clicks. Friendships that are made in a moment, last a lifetime. These are the kinds of friends you'll make in Minneapolis. And now with social media, it's easier than ever to keep up the conversations and creative sharing.

the other N is for  Newfound Courage
Sometimes it's hard to go outside your comfort zone and try something new, but at Art & Soul we'll help guide you through that process. By taking that first step and showing up for a few new classes, you'll open up something inside of yourself that will make new possibilities (in art and your life) seem exciting and engaging.

E is for Engaging
And speaking of engaging... boy will these workshops accomplish that! As I make my daily rounds, without fail, I will walk into classrooms that are completely silent. What's going on you might ask? The entire class is completely and totally engaged in what they are doing. They are in a state where nothing else but the tools and materials in front of them are inspiring so many new thoughts and ideas that they have to be quiet so they can hear their muse.

A is for An Experience
You're not just attending a retreat in Minneapolis, you're having an experience. A real live, interactive creative excursion that will engage all your senses. That's why these retreats are etched in your memory for the rest of your life. All the reasons above and below come together to make this the playcation you've always dreamed of. And when you leave, you'll take a part of it home with you. You'll never be the same.

P is for Projects
Wow, projects! There is just no end to the type and diversity of the projects we're offering you.  With workshops that show you how to make finished drawings, paintings, embroidery, sculptures, rings, necklaces, handbags, chimes, journals, tin can dolls and so much more... you'll be hard pressed to even choose which classes to take!

O is for Opportunities
Besides our full day and evening classes, there are so many other opportunities for you to get creative in Minneapolis! We have an opening night party, our on-site store to peruse and try out new products, our Vendor Extravaganza where you can pick up hard-to-find mixed media supplies, and we've been known to have a late night pajama party or two as well as other impromptu gatherings. And like a small ant colony, our attendees are constantly navigating the hallways between classes and bumping into other creatives who want to share a bite to eat or get a nibble and chat. You won't be bored!

L is for Learning
We have so many opportunities to learn new techniques, work with new tools, try new products, and expand your creative repertoire. Your head will be spinning with all the information you'll get from taking our unique classes.... in a good way!

I is for Instructors
Our instructors are hand-picked just for you. Plucked right out of your favorite magazines, art and craft books, and popular websites, these talented and professional artists will teach and guide you in a caring, supportive way. They'll take you under their wing and help make you soar to new creative heights!

...and S is for Support
We're here for you. Our staff, our store, our teachers, our students. We are a family. The Art & Soul family. And we support each other and lift each other up. You are not alone. You'll be amongst a tribe of like-minded people who carry themselves in a positive manner and make sure you are taken care of. So come join the family!!

Art & Soul Minneapolis

April 26th - May 1, 2017

Crowne Plaza Aire Mall of America Hotel

Minneapolis, MN

This year's Minneapolis Art & Soul Retreat will knock your creative socks off. Chock full of mixed media workshops just ripe for the picking, taught by our very talented instructors. We have so much to offer... we'd love to have you as part of the family. Come join us!

Refer-A-Friend & Save in Minneapolis...

What's better than going to our Minneapolis Art & Soul Retreat? Going with a friend! And right now, if you refer a friend to join us for at least one 6-hour, full day class... we'll give you a $25 credit! That's right... all you have to do is encourage, persuade, motivate, coax or influence one of your best buds to go, and we'll give you a little bonus.

So go ahead, regale your friends with tales of Art & Soul's past, bring some of your amazing projects over to show off, and send them over to our website so they can check out all the amazing classes we have in Minneapolis this year. And when you find out that they were totally convinced to go, and how could they have passed up on an opportunity to play and create like this... just send us an e-mail and let us know. And you'll be $25 richer! That's like paying for a class kit fee, or some new art supplies in our on-site store, or a little treat for yourself on Vendor Night.

Minneapolis Art & Soul

April 26 - May 1, 2017

Crowne Plaza Aire Mall of America

Thanks a bunch and we look forward to seeing you and your friends in Minneapolis this Spring!

Hurry...Hurry...Step Right Up! To Minneapolis!

OMG! Our Minneapolis Art & Soul Retreat starts in less than one week!! But it's not too late to join us in our newest location. We want to make a huge SPLASH so invite your friends and family to come be a part of the Art & Soul tribe. Our retreats will empower you at the soul level and fill your days with creativity and friendship.

And don't worry about having to shop all over in order to hunt down the supplies for those last minute classes you want to take... Deb at Blue Twig Studio can provide pretty much everything you could possibly need. Email her your lists and she can have your supplies ready and waiting when you arrive. How cool is that!

So go ahead... check out the amazing teachers and creative classes we have to offer in our brand new Midwest location! With mixed media categories like painting, journaling, sculpting, collage, assemblage, fabric, fiber arts, art doll making, jewelry, and so much more... you'll have lots to choose from at this brand new event!

Art & Soul Minneapolis

May 23-29, 2016

Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites - MSP Airport/Mall of America! 
Bloomington, MN

We are over the moon about this new location, and we're super excited to see YOU there!!

Minneapolis Classes You Can't Resist (Or Can You!)

Looking for something new in mixed media? Well, here's something you really can resist! Learn how to make your own Resist Dyeing on Hand-Felted Wool with Chad Alice Hagen! The perfect base for beading, these beautiful and colorful materials can be mastered in one simple class!

Okay, so now that we've got our pun out of the way, it's time to let you know how fabulous our lineup of classes are for Minneapolis Art & Soul... and how very excited we are about this new central location! We've got over 70 individual workshops... taught by 24 extremely talented instructors... spread out over 7 days of complete and total blissed-out creative days! We've got an on-site store with absolutely everything you'll need (and want!). We have an amazing Vendor Extravaganza so you can shop your little mixed-media heart out. We've got demos, and parties, and much much more! So let's continue our braggadocio with a few more workshops to entice you...

A most egg-cellent class taught by Art & Soul veteran Jean VanBrederode, an Ode to Allie Blue. You'll get to explore solder stamping and wire work nest-making to create a beautiful bib-style necklace like this one. Unfold your creativity and witness how your personal touch and choices of materials create a one-of-a-kind piece of art to wear!

Win over friends and influence sewing machine stitches with this delightful XOXO Friendship Book workshop by Lulu Moonwood Murakami!  You'll combine appliqué, thread doodling, free-motion quilting, photo transfer, and even some drawing and watercoloring to make a textile book that the recipient will surely cherish.



Take off to another land when you explore how to make a Steampunk Airship Chime with long-time Art & Soul instructor Erin Keck. You'll get to create 9 different charms that resemble tiny vintage metal inspired flying machines from another era. They'll be attached to a hot-air-balloon-looking wire form to complete this magnificent mobile!

Spend a delightful evening embracing watercolor pencil techniques, learning easy drawing and painting styles at the same time with Helen Shafer Garcia in her Watercolor Pencil Journaling class. She'll put you at ease as she demonstrates how drawing does not have to be a serious undertaking and shows you how to play and be free in your journals!

So there you go! That's just a smattering of what we have in store for you at Art & Soul Minneapolis! It'll be here before you know it...

Art & Soul Minneapolis

May 23-29, 2016

Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites

Bloomington, MN

We'd love for you to join us in the fun, frivolity and creativity at our new Midwest location! For more information and to register for this event, visit our website at www.ArtAndSoulRetreat.com

Minneapolis Special Offer... Midwest Madness!!

Alternative Approaches to the Self Portrait, David Molder & Eric Scott

We've already shared with you how very excited we are about our newest location for Art & Soul Minneapolis! And that our dream of hosting an event in that exact town has finally come true. Now, we want to pass some excitement on to you by reminding you about the special offer we're having. Read on...

Enameled Memory Booklet Necklace with Jean VanBrederode

Until November 1st, we'll have reduced pricing for full day classes and 30% off your registration fee! Through the end of October, we've reduced our full day, 6-hour classes from $150 to $135, and our regular $50 registration is now only $35!

So check out the amazing teachers and creative classes we have to offer in our brand new Midwest location! With mixed media categories like painting, journaling, sculpting, collage, assemblage, fabric, fiber arts, art doll making, jewelry, and so much more... you'll have lots to choose from at this brand new event!

Art & Soul Minneapolis

May 23-29, 2016

Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites - MSP Airport/Mall of America! 
Bloomington, MN

Thread Doodling with Lulu Murakami

So if you haven't signed up already, go wander around our website. You can view our class offerings by workshop dates, talented instructors, or by project sample photos. And once you register, don't forget to make your hotel reservations at the gorgeous Crowne Plaza, just a stone's throw from the colossal Mall of America! We're really looking forward to this new venue and see YOU there!!

Brand New Location.... Art & Soul is Headed For Minneapolis!

Give 'Em The Bird - Doris Arndt

We are so very excited to announce our newest location for Art & Soul Mixed Media Retreats… drumroll, please… at the Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites – Mall of America! Our dream of hosting an event in the Minneapolis area has finally come true. Now you can play all day and shop til you drop, in one amazing place. 

Mindy Lacefield's - Bookboard Journal workshop

You can get a sneak peek at the workshops we're offering on our website now, and registration will begin August 15th. And, we have a special offer for those of you who sign up early! Between August 15th and November 1st, we'll have reduced pricing for full day classes and 30% off your registration fee!

Light Up My Heart Bracelet - Julie Haymaker Thompson

So check out the amazing teachers and creative classes we have to offer in our brand new Midwest location! With mixed media categories like painting, journaling, sculpting, collage, assemblage, fabric, fiber arts, art doll making, jewelry, and so much more... you'll have lots to choose from at this brand new event!

Art & Soul Minneapolis

May 23-29, 2016

Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites - MSP Airport - Mall of America! 

Liz Kettle's - No More Blank Pages - Visual Journaling class

So grab a drink and a tasty snack and wander around our website.... you can view our class offerings by workshop dates, talented instructors, or by project sample photos. Happy browsing!

Kansas City... Fun and Play and An Arrest on the Way?

Well, another successful Retreat at Art & Soul Kansas City. Our venue — the Elms Hotel & Spa — just made it even more spectacular, with it's rich history, decor, and just the whole feel of the place.

We had so many happy students, making beautiful mixed media works of art, learning new techniques, stretching their creative boundaries.

To our attendees, work is play, just like play is work. But it's the kind of work you could do every day! When I walk into a classroom and everyone is silent... that's when I know they're in the zone!

As usual the projects that came out of our workshops were simply spectacular, as were the grins on the faces of the makers. I know I sound like a broken record, but that really is one of my favorite parts of doing these retreats. When someone creates something they never thought they could, and feels great about it! Boy, am I the proud mama.

The teachers we had lined up for this event were just spectacular. With degrees in Art, Life, and doctorates in Patience.... they really do help our students shine!

There were such a variety of classes available, that everyone found something to push their creative boundaries. Jewelry, fabric, collage, assemblage, bookmaking, sculpting, and so much more!

It was a pleasure to watch all these different techniques unfold through all the different projects taught at this retreat. ALTHOUGH... when the police arrived, we were all wondering how such a low-key creative retreat could have brought the boys in blue!

We're still not sure WHY the local police arrived (including the Captain who happily put on a steampunk hat) but we had them laughing and enjoying our festivities. And it was a fun ending to a great week with a few of our hororary attendees. 

And THEN, we were sure the ghost had placed a body in the pool – and were amused to learn that it was an attendee who just left our foolishness and was soaking and floating around!

Just more proof that you never know what will happen at one of our Art & Soul Retreats... whether it's art imitating life... or life imitating art (or a scene from CSI!) a good time and good laughs are always had by all!

See you next time in Virginia!

Glenny & the Crew
xoxo

© photos courtesy of Glenny Moir, Jean Van Brederode, Erin Keck, Mindy Lacefield, Seth Apter, Blue Twig Studio

Teacher Spotlight... Helen Garcia!

This is just one of Helen Garcia's amazing projects from the amazing workshops she'll be teaching at our Kansas City, MO Art & Soul Retreat! We got to experience this class — Crinkly Iridescent Vestiges Quilt — in Portland and it was... amazing!  This paper quilt is loaded with colorful crinkly textures. The paint and ink flowed into the crevices giving the papers a wonderful aged look. Students got to experiment with this special watermedia batik-like technique on Masa rice paper. They used an acrylic ink technique to make marks and paint with watercolor, letting the colors blend and fuse together naturally. Simply stunning!

Helen Shafer Garcia is a painter, mixed media artist and award winning illustrator. Her whimsical style shows a love for living creatively with a studio filled to the brim with found objects! She’s currently working with watercolor, pastel and mixed media creating contemporary images on paper along with a series of Icon folklore triptychs with wood, watermedia and found object construction.

For the past 20 years, Helen’s watercolor illustrations have graced the cover brochures, garden articles and advertisements of numerous International resorts and magazines. Awards include four San Diego Press Club First Place Awards of Excellence in Illustration for San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles Magazine. Helen holds a BA degree in Fine Arts and currently teaches college level Watercolor and Acrylic painting, Book Arts, and Pastel.

Here's a sneak peek of what Helen will be teaching at our 2015 Kansas City retreat, which is just around the corner I might add!

Poured Painted Surfaces

Tuesday Evening, April 28

Block Collage Prints

Wednesday Evening, April 29

Inky Prints Folded Book

Thursday, April 30

Crinkly Iridescent Vestiges Quilt

Friday, May 1

Such colorful and graphic workshops Helen has to offer! So why not come play with us and make something beautiful?

Kansas City Art & Soul

Mixed Media Art Retreat

April 27 - May 1, 2015

The Elms Hotel & Spa

Excelsior Springs, Missouri

For more information on Art & Soul or to register for any of our events, visit us at www.ArtAndSoulRetreat.com

See you soon!