Annual SMAC Artist Retreat 2023

**This page is continually being updated with the latest information as sessions and activities are still being finalized-thank you for your patience!**

It’s that time of year again! Join SMAC and artists from across Southwest Minnesota for 1 & 1/2 days of networking and arts inspiration for our annual Artist Retreat on May 5th & 6th! Workshop sessions have been created to appeal to artists of many disciplines. The retreat will once again be held at Danebod Folk School in Tyler, MN for a “get-away” learning atmosphere. Overnight accommodations are available, but not required; you can choose to come for one or both days! Friday evening we’ll have an arts performance that will be free and open to the public! Plus the networking between fellow artists is a must-attend reason. JOIN THE FUN!! More details will continue to be added to our schedule, be sure to watch for updates through our emails, registration page, social media (Facebook & Instagram) and our website.

**Registration is limited to the first 60 people**
**Registration deadline is April 28th, 2023**

Fees:

Friday afternoon only: $20 for workshops & meals*

Saturday only: $20 for workshops & meals*

$40 total for both days of workshops*

Overnight Lodging-Private Room: $35

Overnight Lodging-Private room with bath: $75

*Attendees outside SMAC Region: $30/day ($60 total for both days)

Current schedule:

Friday, May 5

12-1 pm: Check in/Light Lunch

1-2:45 pm Session 1 (choose one option)
A. Fused Glass by Pam Blake (CLASS IS FULL-class limited to 12 students)

Class description: Participants will learn the basics of fused glass including how to cut glass with a simple glass cutter, layering glass to create a design and how different firing temps give different results. You will have a choice of making a pendant and earrings or a small decorative piece. Your designs will be fired Friday night so you can take the artwork home on Saturday. Bring a ruler or straight edge.
Location: Library

B. Floral Porch Panels by Virginia (Ginny) Bailey

Class description: A fun introductory class on floral painting porch learners using acrylic paints. We will learn simple techniques to shade and highlight to make your painting stand out! Best of all, you will be able to take your leaner home to enjoy for years to come.

Location: Dining Room Nook

2:45-3 pm: Snack

3-6 pm Session 2 (choose one option)

A. Figure drawing with live model by Alma Hale

Class description: Nobody likes lifeless art. Drawing from life is a great way of learning how to put life into your art, and very few subjects are more challenging than the human form.
Location: Lecture Hall

B. Sketch Comedy Bootcamp by Jessie Hennen

Class description: Have you ever been watching SNL and found yourself thinking, “Gee, it’d be fun to be in a sketch comedy writers’ room”? If so, you’re not wrong – it is indeed quite fun. In this three-hour workshop led by sketch comedian and creative writing professor Jessie Hennen, you’ll toss ideas around with other writers, develop short scripts, and perform (or make others perform) your final products in a table-read showcase of Minnesota-grown sketch comedy.
Supplies: at minimum, something to write on and something to write with (notebook + pen just fine; laptop ideal). For imaginary bonus points, bring any sketch ideas you’ve been noodling upon – our writers’ room will be happy to help you flesh ‘em out. Laughter will abound, probably!
Location: The Lodge-basement

C. Juggling and Object Manipulation: Physical and mental creative techniques from a Circus Artist by Benjamin Domask-Ruh

Class description: Bring an open mind to this session led by professional circus artist, Benjamin Domask-Ruh, in which we will explore the basic elements of juggling: the throw and the catch. We will dive into what these terms actually mean and how we can apply it to our creative practice. Come further into the exploration as we realize another element of juggling: Balance. We will examine how to utilize instability as a tool for creation and the poetry hidden within the tension of failure. Participants can expect to drop, laugh, and learn in this fun environment designed to be a safe place to fail and look ridiculous. We will have moments of physical movement (adapted for every participant’s needs) and moments of voluntary sharing of what we explored. All the juggling props will be supplied. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the ‘time arts’ and the juggling mindset approach to creativity.
Location: Gym

6:30 pm: Supper

7 pm: Open to the Public (no fees) Interactive Performance: Learn Danish Dance!
led by Amanda Drake and Natalie Jerzak

Desciption: Sisters, Natalie Jerzak and Amanda Drake were born and raised in Tyler, attending church at Danebod. They grew up celebrating Danish traditions with their family and friends. Each summer, at children’s camp, Amanda and Natalie share the tradition of Danish dancing that was passed down to them by their grandparents and the elders of Danebod. Join them, in celebrating the art of Danish dancing!

8:15: Networking with fellow artists at your leisure

Saturday, May 6

8-9 am: Registration for Saturday-only attendees / Breakfast

9 am: Welcome

9:15-10:45 am Session 3 (choose one option)

A. Mixed Medial Layering by Krystl Louwagie

Explore what you can create when using semi-transparent durable paper to make layered artworks. Experiment with how an image changes when you are able to apply color to the backside and on the front side separately to create more depth. You can use one single sheet, or multiple to get a layered collage effect. These experiments can look realistic or lean more towards an abstract design (and anything in between)! Materials will be supplied to work with, but you may also want to bring your own images to work from or for inspiration—you can even bring a laptop or tablet with images saved on them you want to use (the screens can be used as your own backlit lightbox to trace from when using translucent paper).
Location: Lecture Hall
*side note: if you have old magazines/calendars with lots of pictures (especially fashion or maybe travel) to donate to the cause, it’s good to have stuff people can use to trace or layer on top of.

B. Papermaking Danebod Mixer by Don Sherman (goes from 9:15 am to 12:30-Sessions 3 & 4)

Class description: Learn traditional and experimental papermaking from foraging materials to pressing the end product.
~ Q&A
~ Experiments
~ Uses
Create both a piece to take home and a giant group project.
Location: Dining Room + outside

C. Fused Glass by Pam Blake (class limited to 12 students)

Class description: Participants will learn the basics of fused glass including how to cut glass with a simple glass cutter, layering glass to create a design and how different firing temps give different results. You will have a choice of making a pendant and earrings or a small decorative piece. Your designs will be fired Saturday night-either arrange to pick up from SMAC at a later time, or SMAC can mail the piece to you. Bring a ruler or straight edge.
Location: Library

10:45-11am: Snack

11-12:30 pm Session 4 (choose one option)

A. “Pale Dawn” film screening + Q&A by Daryl Hrdicka

Screen the short movies Pale Luna and sequel made in 2018, Pale Dawn. These movies are thrillers. Pale Dawn follows a woman trying to find out who killed her daughter. It was filmed almost entirely in Minnesota, using all local actors and crew. There will be time for Q&A with the producer.
Location: The Lodge basement

B. Papermaking Danebod Mixer by Don Sherman (continued)

Class description: Learn traditional and experimental papermaking from foraging materials to pressing the end product.
~ Q&A
~ Experiments
~ Uses
Create both a piece to take home and a giant group project.
Location: Dining Room + outside

C. Printmaking by Jason Yoh (sessions 4 & 5)

Explore the convergence of word and image with the 500-year-old tradition of letterpress printing. Teaching artist Jason Yoh will be setting up a pop-up print studio with multiple presses, movable type, image layers and LEGO (yes, you can make prints with LEGO!). You will be given the chance to experiment with color and composition while expressing your creative voice by making mini posters and note cards. No matter how much printmaking experience you may have, there is something for you here in this collaborative hands-on workshop.
Location: Lecture Hall

D. Tour of Danebod Museum by Danebod personnel

12:30 pm: Hot lunch

1:15 – 3:15 pm Session 5 (choose one option)

A. Painting Technique by Cat Anne Meier

Class description: Artist Cat Abbott will lead a painting class encouraging participants to gain confidence in using their intuition to create dream-like compositions using a combination of watercolors, acrylics, and paint markers. Heavy paper and canvases will be available to experiment with. All ages and experience levels welcome.
Location: Dining Hall

B. Building Color Bridges by Kristin Allen (www.greenwatergarage.com)

Class description: We’ll explore the basics of understanding color, organizing by hue, choosing some favorites, mixing to match, and weaving some color bridges. You will need to handle a brush and a palette knife, mix paint colors, paint some swatches, cut and weave strips of paper and glue them down. It will be fun and interactive. No matter what your art form is, you will learn something to take back into your own practice.
Feel free to bring your smartphone to this exercise; I have color activities to introduce.
Location: The Lodge

C. Printmaking by Jason Yoh (continued)

Location: Lecture Hall

3:15-3:30 pm Snack

3:30 pm Group Session 6: Show & Tell

Bring a personal artwork to share – or a piece from sessions during this retreat!
Location: Dining Hall

Email info@swmnarts.org with questions or concerns.

Event is held on a site that does require stairs to attend most sessions and communal areas. Staff will bring a microphone for some speakers/sessions, but may not have enough for all sessions.