I have really great childhood memories of camp. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? It was a great part of my childhood. However the good news is that you don’t have to grow up and it’s not too late if you didn’t get to go. There’s camp for adults!
Arrowmont is a fantastic art “camp” in Gatlinburg, TN. I’m lucky enough to be spending two weeks studying with Ricky Frank and Barbara Minor in enameling. Don’t ask me what Gatlinburg is like. I haven’t been outside the walls since arriving by shuttle. The metals/glass studio has been my home other than to crash in my room. No tv, no phones, no kids, nada. It is built up on a hillside and is surrounded by nature. The dorm is up on the hill thankfully so we can get a little exercise (especially when you forget your name tag etc). The studios are open early in the am and stay open until 1am. Classes are from 9am to 5pm officially, but everyone works late. The facilities are great, and the people are wonderful!
I have to say that I always seem to have fantastic instructors. Ricky Frank is just the most patient, caring and encouraging instructor. He has a mantra that keeps being repeated “it depends”. No one curiously in the class is the least bit frustrated by this and in fact we have imbraced it. What he means is that there is no right or wrong answer. It is a journey. In order to find the answer you must play, explore, experiment and be willing to take risks. Success depends on the journey. If it works it was successful and that’s the way you were supposed to do it. Whether something will be successful depends on the choices you make during the journey. When was the last time you played? Perhaps you need to take yourself on a journey?
I hope you enjoy the pictures of my experience (check out the Arrowmont gallery section). I’ll keep posting more and try for a more regular posting. BTW, Ricky only teaches once every two years, but he is teaching again next Feb in Tucson for the Arizona Designer Craftsmen during the Tucson Gem Show. Take it if you can! February 7th and 8th. Don’t forget, we’ll be holding classes during the Tucson Gem Show at Whole Lotta Whimsy. Can’t wait to tell you who is teaching. Keep checking the site!
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