Get Out From Behind Your Computer & Come Make Art With Us in Virginia Beach!

In this modern day and age of the interwebs, it's easy to take advantage of the creative offerings available that allow you to participate in the convenience of your own home. But there's nothing like being amongst your tribe of like-minded souls, having a teacher right in front of you to answer questions as they arise, walking around a classroom to see what others are doing, rummaging through mixed media treasures with your hands, and actually LOL'ing because you're having so much fun, feeling light and playful since all the distractions of home have fallen away.

THIS is what Art & Soul is for!

And so we thought we'd share a bit more of the unique offerings we have for our Virginia Beach Retreat, to entice you into joining us in-person!

The title of this workshop with Debbie Rijns says it all. It's called Awwww Sweet, and it gives you the chance to create a silver pendant from a child's drawing. Now, really.... how sweet is that?!

Got quilt skills? Well, after this amazing class with Judy Gula, you'll have a plethora of knowledge on how to make your very own special Batik Panel Art Quilt. Overcome your quilting fears and join Judy for this informative class. And if you're traveling by air, no worries... Bernina has graciously furnished us with extra sewing machines for you to use. How cool is that?!

Mama always said if you keep making that face it's going to stay that way! Well, not in this Luscious Layered Portraits workshop with Nicole Austin. You'll create juicy layers upon layers in your art journals that form the basis of these intriguing one-of-a-kind faces. No two will be alike!

Want to light up your life... or maybe your child's bedroom? Let Leslie Blackford be your guide as you make a night light using transparent polymer clay creations. Then learn to sculpt simple animals that adorn these Creative Character Lamps. What a bright idea!

And how about trying your hand at these adorable Felted Flower Rings you can make in this evening class taught by Susan Rossiter? Now that summer is here and all the flowers are blooming, it really makes sense to create a colorful adornment that lets you enjoy them all year long

So, as you can see, we've got lots to offer in Virginia Beach, and this isn't even scratching the surface! We have an amazing group of instructors who are all artists themselves, many of them published in the pages of your favorite mixed media magazines and authors of their own how-to books. We kick off the week with an opening night party and have lots of fun events, contests and gatherings throughout the week. We've got an on-site store that'll knock your socks off, and a Vendor Extravaganza featuring peddlers with hard to find goodies from ephemera to assemblage components and amazing original art by your very own instructors! We have pop-up parties, show-and-tell, make-and-takes, a designated play area, an amazing staff, all taking place at a hotel on the beach... and there's just so much more to experience in person!

Virginia Beach Art & Soul

October 2-8, 2017

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

So visit our website and get more information about our Virginia Beach Event... our relaxing beachfront Hotel... the creative Workshops we have to offer... and our fabulous Instructors! Sign up today and give yourself the playtime you deserve, amidst like-minded souls... you'll make some amazing art and lasting friendships too.

Virginia Beach... One Colorful Event!

Wow, wow, wowie, wow! What a colorful event Virginia Beach Art & Soul was! Everywhere I turned there was bold color and striking patterns in all kinds of mixed media projects created in our amazing workshops. Like this gorgeous enamel pendant made by one of Jean Van Brederode's students... it looks like it was made by Mother Nature herself!

These Alcohol Ink backgrounds created in Cathy Taylor's class just blew me away. And, in case you didn't already know, she IS the Queen of Alcohol Inks. She has so many techniques that produce so many different results, it's always a pleasure to peek in and see what her students are creating.

And how about these magnificent copper bracelets made in Eva Sherman's class! They look like they're painted with Alcohol Inks, but they're actually painted with fire! A beautiful and sophisticated cuff with texture and color made from a flame. Wow!

We love seeing happy students showing off their colorful projects, like this hand made journal from Doris Arndt & Judy Gula's Printed and Bound workshop.

How about layers and layers and layers of color and patterns to create a basis for some awesome sea creature paintings, made in Kitty Miller's class. Such richness and depth!

 

Our on site store, hosted by Judy Gula of Artistic Artifacts is always a colorful place to stop in and shop in. She so graciously carries everything you could possibly need (and more) for the many different workshops we offer. It's a partnership made in mixed-media heaven!

And of course, we absolutely adore our colorful attendees... dressing the part... as unique and creative as the events we host... they are the epitome of the fun, lightheartedness and whimsy we strive to embody at all our retreats!!

In addition to all the wonderful work that comes out of Art & Soul, we really appreciate where it's all made... and take full advantage of the very, very, very spacious classrooms at Virginia Beach! It creates the perfect environment to stretch your mind, and your legs... and to spread out all your goodies, set up workstations and have all the room you need to create until your heart's content.

As always our professional, nurturing instructors enjoyed guiding our students through every facet of the creative process. Our teachers absolutely love sharing their knowledge with you, and it shows. They've been so inspirational for so many people, it just warms my heart.

And what's an Art & Soul retreat without a little showing off... like your new hooters... from Erin Keck's workshop of the same name, of course. What were you thinking?

These ladies were so proud to show off their tunics made in Ruth Chandler's sewing class, made with vintage fabrics. It was a fabulous way to take the old and make it new again! We are thrilled to be able to offer unbelievable sewing classes, thanks to Bernina providing us with all the machines we need.

And our Virginia Beach retreat would not be complete without Mother Nature showing off! We were so lucky to catch a glipse of these dolphins playing and feeding right off shore during our week on the Chesapeake Bay! What a delight to watch.

So, in case you couldn't tell by now, we had a great time in Virginia. We LOVE the beach! The opening party continues to be a smash hit. Big thanks to Sally Roesler and Beadniks for hosting an open house – complete with special music provided by Dennis Webb. Our students continue to astound me with their adventurous spirits and fearlessness when it comes to trying something new. Our instructors have become family and as they nurture you I watch in awe at the creativity they bring out in all of you! Our Vendor Night, our hotel staff, our rooms with balconies to soak in this amazing shoreline... I am blessed to be a part of it all. So thank you, thank you, thank you... from the bottom of my heart... and soul.

Glenny
xoxo