Workshop Schedule
Contact Ronna for information and/or to sign up
I will be adding more soon ...
Sunday, July 29 through Friday, August 3, 2012
Creativity and Collaboration Retreat with
Robert Dancik and Ronna Sarvas Weltman
in beautiful Taos, New Mexico
(where the typical daytime temperature that time of year is in the mid-80s)
(The retreat is sold out, but it's a long time till then and spots could open up ... contact Ronna to add your name to the waiting list)
Experience the rejuvenating power of creativity.
Ronna and Robert Dancik will lead this unique five day workshop exploring jewelry and small object design, inspiration, creativity and the nuts and bolts of fabrication. You will create art using a variety of mediums and techniques all focused on breaking new creative ground. Materials you will explore include (but not be limited to) polymer clay, precious metal clay, various metals, concrete, Faux Bone, rock-like paper pulp mache, wire, epoxy resins and putties, and more. Some of the techniques you will employ will include texturing, shaping and learning to get cozy with custom coloring polymer clay, cold connections (for all sorts of mediums), wire working, low-tech die forming, simple casting, hinges and forging.
You may want to create art jewelry, you may want to create small-scale vessels and sculpture, you may want to create a handcrafted journal … or do all of the above.
Design principals will also be explored since a better understanding of design makes our art better, whether you are exploring how to make jewelry fit a body well or how to make a journal functional and inviting, or any of the objects you make more pleasing and successful. Students may bring their not-yet-begun ideas, half-finished projects and almost-but-not-quite-right creations for collaborative help on taking them to the next level. Robert and Ronna will both be in the classroom at the same time so every student has lots of personal time with each teacher.
Explore new levels of artistic creativity while enjoying charming accommodations, fabulous food, comfortable high-desert climate and the magical charm of the collaborative jewelry studio.
Sunday 7 p.m. Dinner at The Historic Taos Inn
Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. instruction
Tuesday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. instruction. Afternoon individual student/teacher conference plus studio/free time and explore (aka shop and play!!!!) in Taos
Wednesday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. instruction. Afternoon studio/free time and explore (aka shop and play!!!!) in Taos
Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. instruction
Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. instruction. Afternoon pack-up and evaluation . Friday evening Gala Exciting Grand Finale Celebration dinner.
Cost $750 if registering before February 1, 2012. After that, cost is $795
Accommodations: Students book and pay for rooms separately at the Historic Taos Inn. The Historic Taos Inn has lots of affordable single rooms, but students who wish to share rooms can connect with each other on our Facebook page. Ask for the Robert and Ronna Retreat Discount Rate!
Among hotels and inns throughout New Mexico, the Historic Taos Inn is legendary. Experience Southwestern charm and history in this quintessential New Mexico inn located in the heart of Taos' historic district. Acclaimed by National Geographic Traveler as "One of America's Great Inns," and listed on the National and New Mexico Registers of Historic Places.
“Ten top romantic inns” Travel America
“Old West Atmosphere and perfect location” Zagat Survey
“My first choice in Taos and best value” Travel & Leisure
(Rates at the Historic Taos Inn are very reasonable, but students who are on a seriously tight budget can explore other accommodations in Taos. For more information about other accommodations, connect with Susan Dilger here)
Perhaps you want to come a little early, or stay a little later and explore Taos some more? Connect with jewelry artist and Taos resident Susan Dilger to get a glimpse of funky, quirky Taos and guidance for making the most of your visit. Visit her TaosEdge Facebook page and click Like!
To register or get more information, email Ronna at ronnaround@comcast.net
Also visit our Facebook page for more information, pictures, finding a roommate if you want to share a room, and much more.
Taking it to the Next Level with Polymer Clay and Wire
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saturday, August 18th and Sunday, August 19th, 2012
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hawthorn Suites –1511 Gibson Boulevard SE
$220.00
Do you have the support you need to take your jewelry to the next level? Ronna will guide you on your path to personal excellence. Focus will include principles of jewelry design, construction techniques, color concepts, and an exploration of what makes a piece beautiful. We will experiment, play, laugh, create, critique and transform as we explore and expand ideas about art as adornment. We will take art seriously without taking ourselves seriously. Aimed at students with intermediate experience in polymer clay and beginning wire experience.
If you are interested in attending this workshop, please contact Annie Hooten at hootenannie4@aol.com
September 11 to 18, 2012
A Happy Week of Creativity in the South of France
Join Ronna in this adventure in creativity. We will create art using a variety of mediums and techniques. You may want to create art jewelry, you may want to create small vessels or containers, you may want to create and write in a handcrafted journal … or do all of the above. This will be a week of creating and collaboration in which we take our art seriously while never, ever taking ourselves too seriously. Design principals will also be explored, since a better understanding of design makes our art better.
Since our cook, Nese, is a magical, nurturing sprite whose gifts are too profound not to be shared, and food is part of the pleasure of La Cascade, we will also have a couple cooking lessons from her. I don’t know how Nese manages to feed us so abundantly and deliciously and yet we don’t gain a pound, but I look forward to capturing some of that magic to bring back home.
We will also have field trips to local impossibly charming places. Why go to the South of France and not indulge yourself in the magic of the South of France?
For those who feel that the only thing as much fun as creating is shopping for cool things to use creatively, please join me on the optional “Pre-La Cascade Gala Paris Shopping Trip.” We will spend a few days in Paris, going into little out-of-the-way shops to buy this and that ribbon or bead or found object to use as we create our little treasures, and then we will all make our way together to the charming, magical world of La Cascade.
- Cost: $1,900
- Charming double occupancy room (seven nights)
- All meals prepared by chef Nese with fresh local ingredients
- 7 breakfasts / 4 lunches / 7 dinners
- Lots of class time, and open studio when class is not in session
- Delightful local excursions
- Price does not include airfare, trip insurance or shared rental car (approx. $150 per person)
Visit Gwen Gibson’s website for more information about La Cascade
Contact Ronna at ronnaround@comcast.net with questions or to reserve a space.
Some thoughts from students who have taken workshops from Ronna...
Ronna's willingness to share ALL her knowledge is amazing. I have attended many workshops over the years, but until I attended Ronna's workshop, I had never seen a group of students who were willing to watch and listen and absorb knowledge, without being disappointed to not finish a project. Ronna continues to guide us all with her wonderful posts on Facebook. She keeps us yearning to learn more and helps each of her students use their creativity to become better artists, long after the the workshop is over. Annie Hooten
I was very happy with everything you taught at La Cascade. Your lesson plans, timing and demos were top-notch. You were very sensitive to the needs of everyone in the class, and you addressed all our questions. There was never a moment of that week where I thought "what am I doing here?" You showed interest in each member of class; we had a lovely cohesive group. And it was loads of fun! Marion Ongerth
Ronna, it was awesome! I think I told you at the end of the workshop that creatively, you broke me open. You do things with polymer clay that I would never have dreamed to do and the resulting pieces are truly works of art. Your teaching style is easy and casual, but always with an ear to your audience, listening to what they want to learn. Your book rarely leaves my craft table-it is now one of my favorite references as I explore and try to expand on what I have learned from you. With thanks and appreciation, Elizabeth Schydlower
After having taken many classes over the years I finally found a style and 'way' of doing clay that suits me. It is the Ronna-way-imagination , creativity, no measuring or weighing, no precision, no rules, and mostly- the permission to DO. I have never been able to grasp color- hues, tints, what goes together-always felt like I had to hide my color book in my lap as I struggled to find my palette for whatever project was being taught- but not anymore- Ronna has a book too! Now that color is out of the way- I enjoy creating much more. Thanks Ronna. Cynde Tagg
Hi Ronna. I so enjoyed the class last fall. I had your book but you brought it to life with your demonstrations. I have worked with your techniques several times since and find your methods very useful. Thanks again for such a great couple of days! Marty Woosley
I've been dabbling in polymer on and off for a few years, but never got too serious. After being blown away by Ronna's "Ancient, Modern" book, I Googled her and saw that she was offering a workshop so I signed up. It was a positive experience from start to finish. There were clayers of all levels and I learned a lot from fellow participants and especially Ronna whose generosity, talent and teaching skills added up to a great workshop and inspiration to continue with the medium on its own as well as in combination with my Digital Art projects. Mary Ann Rolfe www.digitalstretch.com
I took a polymer clay class with Ronna after purchasing her book and her DVD, anxious to learn as much as I could about her techniques and the artistry with which designs and executes her work. I was not disappointed. I walked away with valuable information on the basics of working with polymer clay, from conditioning and rolling out the clay to creating texture. I left, inspired by her unique organic style, her dynamic color palette and the encouragement and exuberance with which she conducts her workshops. Ruth Levine
