Find your creative side at Florence!                                                                     September 2011

Other Creative Opportunities:

Blue Ridge Art Clan
9 am ~September 24th
Critique with R. T. Morgan
Meet Every 4th Friday of the month from March to October at the Ashe County Public Library. 336-846-ARTS

Blue Ridge Fiber Guild
6:30 pm ~September 15th
with Local Fiber Artist:
Karen Santucci
Meet every third Thursday of the month at the
Western Watauga Community Center
Sandra Basel, 828-297-3046
828-297-3046 or email


Literary Festival
September 14-17
Various locations
Ashe County, NC
Hosting a great line-up of authors including Georgann Eubanks, Sharyn McCrumb, Jaki Shelton Green, Mark de Castrique, Michael Malone, Wayne Caldwell, Dr. Allen Paul Speer and more. Ashe County Arts Council 336-846-ARTS or email .

Ashe County Piecemakers Quilt Guild 9th Annual Quilt Fair
10 am - 6 pm ~September 16
10 am - 4 pm ~September-17
Jefferson Station
West Jefferson, NC
Rheta 828-264-4370, 828-264-4370 or
Sandi 336-877-3117, 336-877-3117.

Fiber Swap
at Florence Thomas Art School
4 pm - until . . . September 18th
Bring your extra fibers, a dish and join a group of fiber interested folks for an afternoon of fiber fun.


Ashe Camera Club
6:30 pm ~September 26
Baron Cooper Photography, located at 101 N Jefferson Ave. Meet the last Monday of every month.
 
Turn your Workshop into a FULL RETREAT
   Affordable and Convenient Lodging Options:
Single and Double Occupancy

or

1, 2, or 3 Bedroom Cabins

Extended stays available.
Contact 336-982-2499, 336-982-2499 for information
and to reserve your lodging.

Free with a minimum $2 donation.
 

Are You Getting in the Way of Your ART?

Recently, one of our students commented that she was not very happy with her painting. Comparing it to others in the workshop. I asked her: "Did you enjoy creating it?" "Well Yes," she smiled. "Did you learn something?" "Yes, yes I did," she said more confidently.


Sometimes, we become so consumed with the final outcome that we forget there is a whole creative process involved. Ralph Waldo Emerson hit the nail on the head when he said "Life is a journey not a destination."


What has your journey consisted of? Have you pushed your limits, tried new mediums, techniques? Allowed yourself the freedom to explore and grow, without the pressure of creating a masterpiece?


By focusing on the end result, we lose our way in the process. Part of the joy of creating is exploration, having fun, enjoying each moment and learning new ways to do things.


We have a variety of opportunities for you to explore a new medium or technique including:

Creative Writing with Barbara Lawing - September 10,


Turning Simple Compositions into Colorful Paintings with RT Morgan - Sept 19-21,


Digital Photography with Phil Rhyne - September 23-24,


Oil Painting:Making It Easier for Beginners with Ron Walters - September 29-30,


Acrylic Painting:Making It Easy with Ron Walters - October 6-7, and


Plant Drawing Basics with Elissa Gore

- October 13-15.


I encourage you to join us and free yourself to create pieces simply to create.

Sincerely,

Meghan B Minton

Executive Director          

  
PLEIN AIR ARTISTS' RETREAT
OCTOBER 7-9, 2011
Become inspired on our beautiful 10-acre campus located along the Blue Ridge Parkway and minutes from the New River.


We have set aside a whole weekend in October for Plein Air artists who are looking for an opportunity to retreat to the mountains and renew their creativity.


This is a very loosely scheduled weekend, with optional field trips, and regular consultations with Plein Air extraordinaire Tony Griffin. Cost $270, which includes 3 nights lodging, continental breakfasts and lunchs. Click here for more information.
Thank you for your interest in Florence Thomas Art School, Inc.. We hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,
Florence Thomas Art School Inc.
www.FlorenceArtSchool.org
336-982-2499