Summer Program 2023
June 18 – August 26
Through the stuff of fiber, clay, paint, pen, and more, we invite you into
10 summertime weeks of learning, creating, and community!
Come explore be•longing within a Spirit-infused community of creativity, learning, and play.
Who are you?
Whose are you?
For what do you long?
Our shared daily rhythm of class, meals, morning + evening gatherings, and open studio
offers ample time and space to explore.
The quiet nights of the Plain Valley and the lull of the Wenatchee River offer restoration and rest
as you break from your normal pattern for a week of creative retreat amongst the mountains.
Whatever your relationship to art, may you hear in your life the invitation to create.
May you find space to be, to long, and to belong with yourself and with others.
Accessibility Update
The Guild is excited to offer the following as part of its Summer 2023 program
Sliding-Scale Course Fee
Each participant will select a Course Fee that reflects what they are able to pay for tuition and materials. Course Fees cover tuition and materials only. The sliding scale differs depending on the program’s duration. The scales are outlined at left, under “Registration and Fees”. When you register, you can select the Course Fee level that is appropriate for you. The sliding scale course fee is not available for Week 8’s Art for All Family Camp.
Financial Assistance Application
The Guild is able to offer some financial assistance. To inquire, please submit a Financial Assistance Application no later than 24 hours after registering for a course. You may apply before registration. To help ensure financial aid resources are available to as many students as possible, we ask each applicant to consider whether and how much they are able to cost-share.
If you are able, please consider a donation to the Grunewald Guild’s scholarship funds. You may add a donation to your course registration.
Multiple Course Lengths
This summer, the Guild is offering a variety of course lengths. Residential programs run between 3 and 6 nights. Each week’s courses are the same duration, beginning and ending on the same day. Check the dates for each week.
All programs allow only one registration at a time.
If you would like to register as a couple or a small group, please contact Chance.
WEEK 1 June 18 – 24
Registration for WEEK 1 closes Sunday, June 11
Printmaking: Etching + Drypoint
with John Thompson
In this etching course, you will be using “old-traditional” etching processes. Students will learn a number of techniques within intaglio printmaking, some of which have been used for centuries. You know – the way Rembrandt, Goya, and the masters did their print! Processes used will include etching, drypoint, soft-grounds, and aquatints. It will be a bit messy, but a lot of fun! Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Enameling: A Joyous Riot of Colors
with Jean Tudor
The excitement of enameling touches everyone who tries it. There is a joyous riot of color. The strength– and yet pliability–of the metal. The need for control or the need for lack thereof in the manipulation of the materials. The self-satisfaction of learning to handle special tools and materials. The possibility of use of the finished product. The personal satisfaction—the welling up of happiness–when a work comes finished from the kiln. We will be working with the elements of art-making such as line, color, texture, pattern, and shape. By the time we are finished, we will have jewelry and/or small wall pieces. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Songwriting for the Subconscious Mind
with Jan Krist
Creativity is the mind at play. So often at writers’ retreats, we set out pen to paper, or fingers to keys, with a feeling of anxiousness, hoping we can deliver something out of nothing in the short time we have. Creativity would prefer a less stressful, more playful atmosphere, but too often when the pressure is off, we aren’t listening for the muse, we’re “busy” with other things. For this workshop we’ll look at chords, melody, and words, in playful ways, borrowing cues from some of the most creative writers we know, and managing these materials in childlike ways. We will use the practice of meditation, and morning writing to open ourselves to the creative process, and because so much of that process happens in solitary places, we will spread out and use the whole of the Guild campus; observing, seeing, and recording what the muse has to say. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
The Art of Discernment
with Carla Erickson Orlando
This course will introduce a contemplative, creative approach to spiritual decision-making using tools that incorporate topography and layout, visualization, and imagination. Drawn from both Ignatian spirituality and PRH International School of Adult Development, these methods of discernment respect the experience and uniqueness of each person, helping them to make good decisions and to become discerning people. Participants will learn to clarify the various elements and important influences in making a decision, develop the capacity for stepping back from a situation with freedom and experience a greater sense of satisfaction and peace. A different spiritual theme and art medium will be presented each morning, including painting with color, drawing with ink, collage, found objects, and mandala. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
WEEK 2 June 25 – July 1
Registration for WEEK 2 closes Sunday, June 18
Sculpture Carving: Stone + Wood
with John Thompson
Students will get the opportunity to work with both stone and wood. Local soapstone and possibly some limestone. We will be using mainly hand tools (think Michelangelo) with a few power tools under close supervision. This class can be dirty and dusty but that is what makes it fun! Relief carving and “carving in the round” will be taught, and students may learn how to carve basswood and soapstone (and maybe some limestone and slate, too!). Hand tools and some power tools will be supplied and used. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Find Your Poetic Voice
with Amanda Roth
In this course, we will read the work of modern poets who write at the intersections of identity, race, gender, privilege, oppression, and grief. We will also practice writing in a variety of poetic forms, including the sonnet, the abecedarian, the burning haibun, and more. We will participate in guided writing exercises, share our early drafts, and provide positive feedback to our peers. Finally, we will explore various brainstorming practices, including the compost heap and florilegium. Come prepared to write, write, write. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Weaving Where You Are
with Suzanne Halvorson + Nancy Marsh
This weaving course will offer students of all skill levels the opportunity to learn to weave or expand their skills using floor looms. Instructors Nancy and Suzanne have more than a century of weaving and teaching experience between them. Nancy and Suzanne’s longing to pass their legacy onto a new generation of weavers will make this a wholly unique experience. The instructors will provide two projects to choose from their catalog of weave structures. The focus will be on weaving cloth using techniques that will match the skill level and interests of the participants. Students can choose colors from the vast library of yarn available at the Guild. Beginners Welcome. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
WEEK 3 July 2 – 7
Registration for WEEK 3 closes Sunday, June 25
Everchanging Colors of Art + Faith
with Bro. Mickey McGrath
Half lecture and half hands-on studio time, this four-session class will celebrate the healing power of beauty and prophetic vision through the lives and works of artists and saints. Vincent van Gogh and St. Therese of Lisieux lead us off with their attention to the extraordinary ordinary; Trappist monk Thomas Merton meets Georgia O’Keeffe, both inspired by Buddhist spirituality and the landscape; Einstein and Teilhard de Chardin as well as African-American and Native-American artists and Saints will also be creatively explored. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
The Colorful and the Earthen: Fabric Dyeing with Found Objects
with Sara Nordling
In this class, we will explore a closer connection to the world around us by way of dyeing and eco-printing on fabric. We will use plants both as materials and as inspiration as we work with various methods of re-producing nature on cotton and silk cloth. Time will be spent walking and gathering, working out designs, experimenting, and in production. You will produce at least one piece of cloth and one scarf. Feel free to bring more items (100% cotton or 100% silk) of your own for further use (t-shirts, totes, button-down shirts, yardage, scarves, etc). Through this process, we will explore our place in the world, our connection to each other and to the special place that is the Guild. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Week 4 July 9 – 14
Registration for WEEK 4 closes Sunday, July 2
Drawing from Where You Are
with Adele Caemmerer
In this course, we will explore drawing as a practice of “being”- being where we are, being with what we notice, and being with our unique visual language of expression. Using our immediate environment as a source, we will work with the fundamentals of drawing to observe and describe what we see. Through exercises and prompts, we will develop our perceptual abilities, explore techniques, and test expressive possibilities with materials and composition. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
A Sacred Circle of Rhythm
with Vonda Drees
In this offering, we will practice listening and responding to that inner voice through the art form of mandala and the medium of watercolor. Step-by-step processes will render beautifully harmonious patterns. It is in decorating the patterns that creativity, curiosity, and conversation will come into play. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Creating Differently: Ceramic Hand Building Through the Lens of Neurodiversity
with Nathan Himes
Neurodiversity describes the idea that all people think, behave, and interact in the world around them in different ways. Within the scope of neurodiversity is Neurodivergent, a term used to describe those with neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD), Dyslexia, and other mental or neurological conditions. This class will be led by an instructor who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and belongs to a family with a range of Neurodivergent conditions. In this class, we will create slab- and coil-based hand-built pottery while learning techniques, processes, steps, and concepts. Together, we will learn the nature of clay while observing how this could be done through the perspective of a neurodiverse and neurodivergent affirming artist. All projects and designs will aim to be mindful of and embrace the fact that all brains and neuro-diverse people can share how they think, interact and belong in the world through artistic imagery and expression. All neuro-diversities and pottery experience levels are welcome to join this class. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Creative Writing for the Self
with Magda Manning
Is there a story you’ve been longing to write, but something has been holding you back? Maybe you aren’t a writer, there’s a boundary you’re afraid to cross in your work, or you feel stuck worrying about an audience. This class will focus on generative self-reflection, creative risk-taking, and an environment where sharing is welcome, but not required, so we can feel comfortable stretching our own boundaries without the risk of crossing them. We will explore how writing for ourselves, and with ourselves, can give us the freedom to write without inhibitions, and create a sense of belonging in our own creative process. We will focus on place building, sensory detail, and memory to bring our inner words/worlds to the page. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
WEEK 5 July 16 – 20
Registration for WEEK 5 closes Sunday, July 9
Connecting Hand, Eye, and Soul Through Nature Drawing
with Oriana Sage
Learn to unlock your unique drawing ability through observational hand-eye connection, as you create nature ink drawings with freedom, personality, and intentional observation. The exercises used will allow you to let go of what you think you see and capture the true essence of what you are actually drawing. In this class, we will embrace the beauty of imperfection, capture shape and detail with simplicity, let go of drawing frustrations, and transform a simple drawing into a whimsical and meaningful piece of art. We will learn fundamental drawing elements as we explore observation, pattern, color, and design found in nature. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Watercolor Cosmos
with Vonda Drees
The mysteries of the Cosmos and the magical medium of watercolor come together in this offering! One of Vonda’s secret loves while serving at the Guild was the Perseid meteor shower in late July and August. She describes the experience, “a sacred game of hide and seek with flashes of fire darting across the night sky.” Perhaps you have marveled over NASA’s images of outer space? Some are almost beyond imagination. In this class, we will learn how to paint watercolor galaxies. Watercolors are the perfect medium for this luminous work because depth and vibrancy are created when the paint flows naturally into a dance of cosmic mystery. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Here, Illuminated: Cartographic Explorations of the Present Moment
with Matt Whitney
In this fun, experimental, and experiential course, we will create large cartographic drawings, in which we begin by walking on large sheets of paper and leaving imprints of dirt, mud, and earth on the surface. Using your feet as your initial “brushes”, you’ll be challenged to respond to the unique textures and patterns you create with ink, graphite, or any medium of your choice. This playful and embodied approach to art-making will help you connect with your intuition, awaken creative possibility in other aspects of your life, and celebrate the perfect imperfections of each moment of life. Mistakes are part of the process and often make the work more interesting! Expect to explore uncharted territory, and create singular artworks that are embodied with your own actions and explorations. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
WEEK 6 July 23 – 29
Registration for WEEK 6 closes Sunday, July 16
Ceramics: Intro to Closed Containers and Lidded Vessels
with Ron Cole
In this class, we will explore wheel-thrown ceramic forms that serve as containers. From the flange of a lid to the shoulder of a jar, students will learn the parts of and how to create a variety of lid types and fit them to their adjoining vessels. We will also discuss the various quirks of creating containers for specific items such as sugar, honey, or tea. There are many ways to throw a pot, and many more ways to fill them! Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Writing Your Cultural Story
with Dr. Tamisha Tyler
In this class we will explore, share, and celebrate our unique cultural stories: the particular blend of influences that have shaped us into the people we are today. Through guided writing exercises, meditation, and class discussion, we will explore the broad theme of “culture” and how our unique experiences have influenced our understanding of ourselves, our faith journeys, and our sense of belonging. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Watercolor in the Sacred Milieu
with Kristen Gilje
Come play in a sacred realm of divine color! Let’s pay close attention to our paints, paper, and brushes, and to our hand movements as we paint. We’ll attempt deep observation of both our exterior surroundings and our interior emotional and prayer lives, to invite the sacred into our painting time. In this week-long workshop, we will learn techniques to control our medium just enough, while allowing watercolor to do what it does best – to move and mix and be beautiful no matter what we do to it. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
WEEK 7 July 30 – August 4
Registration for WEEK 7 closes Sunday, July 23
Seeds of Resistance: Photography as Spiritual Practice
with Emilie Bouvier
This class will explore photographic processes as practice for reflection and resilience. Rooted at the intersections of justice movements, spiritual grounding, and creative expression, we will delve into process-oriented methods for making photographs. Using a variety of techniques, ranging from historic process to cellphones and printmaking to collage, we will explore the interplay of light/shadow, water/material, and digital/analogue. Weaving together photographic processes, stories, and reflective prompts, we will talk of ancestors and watersheds, ash and seeds, civil rights, sacred glimmers, vulnerability, and contemplative resistance. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Knives Out: Exploring Texture and Light
with Shan Wang
Knives Out: Exploring Texture and Light, is an acrylic painting class focused on painting with palette knives. This class will cover acrylic painting mediums used to change the texture of paint along with different ways to use palette knives. We will explore how palette knives can shape paint through application, smoothing, pushing, lifting, and scraping. We will observe how changing the texture of paint affects how light interacts with the surface. This interaction influences our perceptions of colors and shades. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
The Wonderful World of Felting
with Mary Ann Sinclair and Angela Mietzke
In this team-taught class, you will gain exposure to different felting techniques. Techniques include dry felting (needle felting), wet felting, and a combination of both. This class will have the opportunity to use some of the wool that belonged to beloved Grunewald Guild co-founder Liz Caemmerer. Bring some of her spirit and charism into your own creation! Her wool is mostly white and can be a foundational part of your work. Other hand-dyed wools in various colors from Mary Ann’s personal stash will be provided for your works. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
WEEK 8 August 6 – 10
NONCONCURRENT PROGRAMMING
(please note dates for each program)
Registration for WEEK 8 closes Sunday, July 30
Art for All! RESIDENTIAL FAMILY WEEK
Sunday – Wednesday (August 6-9)
with Nicki Lang, Shan Wang, and Sarah Sprouse
Join 3 spectacular teachers for this exploratory Family Camp! This program is designed for all ages and all levels of art experience. Participants will have the opportunity to explore three different art processes: block printing, working with clay, and nature drawing. The minimum age of participants is 5 years old. All children must register and attend Family Camp with an adult. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Cyber Studio 3-Day Intensive DIGITAL PROGRAM
Tuesday – Thursday (August 8-10)
with Adele Caemmerer
Have a project you want to start or finish? Something you have always wanted to explore? Not sure what you want to do, but longing for the time and focus to figure it out? Just love creative company? This Cyberstudio experience might just be for you. This special 3-day digital space is an excellent summer opportunity to participate in the Guild’s Cyber Studio program. Normally held weekly during the non-summer months, this consecutive 3-day summer opportunity might offer you space for a creative “jumpstart” during your busy summer season. If you’ve never tried the Guild’s weekly Cyber Studio program, this might be a chance to give it a try! Click here for more info and to register for this class.
WEEK 9 August 13 – 19
Registration for WEEK 9 closes Sunday, August 8
Wallowing: The Joy of Manipulating Mud on the Potters Wheel
with Mike Caemmerer
There is nothing quite like the feeling of getting elbow deep in mud and manipulating the madness into wonderful forms. Over the course of this class, students will push themselves to create unique work that challenges both their ability to throw larger pieces and their ingenuity to creatively alter those forms. Students will play with fluting, scalloping, cutting, handling, kidding, and otherwise building on to their wheel-thrown work. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Leporello Journals + Surface Techniques
with Mary McLeod
Students will explore a number of mediums during the creation of their leporello book, which will take the form of a hand-sewn journal. Various surface techniques will be created using watercolor, acrylic ink/paint, a variety of inks, drawing tools, and collage. This is a class for those who want to explore a number of different techniques while playing in and with their process. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
The Happy Couple: When Glass Meets Grout
with Janet Gruman
Students will be invited to consider the abstract as a spiritual practice during their design process. They will use color, line, shape, and negative space to create an abstract design with stained glass and grout. What makes this stained glass class unique? The ability, freedom, and challenge of shaping negative space with the interplay of glass and grout is part of the play! Learn about how grout becomes part of the overall design, lending its color and texture in fun and interesting ways. The colorful and the earthen combine! Click here for more info and to register for this class.
WEEK 10 August 20 – 26
Registration for WEEK 10 closes Sunday, August 13
Contemporary Iconography in Egg Tempera
with Amy Foster
Merging botanical and liturgical art, students will engage in a contemporary icon project featuring St. Francis. Using a traditional icon depiction of the figure of St. Francis, we will learn how interacting with creation was central to St Francis’ relationship to Christ and follow his example through our own “visual foraging” of nature and creation around us. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Glass Mosaic: Wholeness from the Broken Bits
with Jill Ross
Participants will learn techniques to create at least one grouted glass mosaic on a framed substrate, or a series of mosaics based on a simple theme. We will explore design by looking at patterns, color, and composition. Participants will be encouraged to focus on the natural world around the Guild for inspiration. They will learn to confidently use tools, adhere their work, and finish their pieces with grout. Together, we will create a collegial and collaborative space to support each other through a week spent expanding our creativity. All levels of experience are encouraged to attend. The materials we will be using will become part of the collaboration and at the end of the course, many small pieces of glass will come together and make a whole. Click here for more info and to register for this class.
Portraiture: The Empathetic Lens
with Jessica Holleque
Behind the lens, we become the storytellers for the people in front of our cameras. This workshop is an opportunity to learn and discuss in community, how to find the place where we weave together our own stories with that of the subjects in front of us to create photographs that feel universal. Together we will explore ways to work from an empathetic lens, empower our subjects, and map a road to honest image-making. The days will include group discussions, self-portraiture exercises, exploration of personal projects, and an invitation to use the tools we’ve learned in your own photo sessions. Click here for more info and to register for this class.