July 1, 2014
Well, our cool spring is gone, and summer has arrived with a blast of hot, humid air here in East Texas. Our wonderful Painted Bunting Workshop at the end of May saw the last of our unusually cool spring. Students from Ohio, Louisiana, and Texas created a beautiful, little bird, it's nest and eggs, as well as branches and leaves on a large panel. We all felt rather "god-like" as we created! :) As usual we have the most wonderful students ....most of whom have been here previously.
We've been asked about our plans for workshops in the future, and we have some exciting news. The Orchid Tree Gallery in Round Top, Texas, was built and opened this past year by a couple that we met through one of our workshops at Hot Glass Houston, now Affinity Glass Works in Tomball, Texas. Debbie and Mike Koenig have been collectors of art for many years and have long wanted to build a gallery that would hold some of the best art in our state. Not only have they done that, but they designed the building so that they could bring art education through workshops to the area also. It is a work of love for them, and it is an unusual jewel in the Texas Hill Country.
In November, they have asked us to teach a workshop at the Orchid Tree, and we are so excited about the opportunity! Attached is a photo that I took of Mt. Baker in Washington State from a ferry bound for the San Juan Islands. That is the landscape we are going to teach in this class, and it will be beautiful in glass! As usual, each student will make a large panel that entails many of the techniques that we teach on incorporating the use of frit, stringer, and cut glass to achieve texture and dimension in a landscape.
The dates are November 4 - 9th, and that includes five days of class and one day off for firing. Everything for class is included....you don't need to bring anything unless you have a special tool that you want to use. There are wonderful eating establishments in the area or each person can bring their own lunch. The cost for the workshop is $975.00 for the five days plus the cost of shipping the piece to your home after the last firing. To reserve a seat, please send a deposit of $400.00.
Before we could send out the newsletter, we had six students sign up for this class with deposits, and we have only room for eight. If we have more students that want to take the workshop than spaces, we will make a list for a second workshop. We do not take credit cards, so the first checks we receive will reserve the spaces available.
As some of you may know, Round Top is a destination site that is becoming very popular in the Hill Country, and rooms in the area can be very pricey. But good news! Nancy Berg at the Ten Oaks of Round Top B&B has offered to give us an unbelievable price on her cottages. The rooms are lovely and include refrigerators, etc., and they are located right behind the gallery.
The scenery around Round Top is absolutely some of the most beautiful in Texas. Other attractions include other art and high-end craft galleries, antique and gift stores, as well as historical sites. What a wonderful place to create glass art!
If you have questions, please call me at 936-436-2250. You may also visit The Orchid Tree Park and Gallery website for details: www.orchidtreeparkandgallery.com.
~ Donna and John
Donna and John Sarafis
936-291-0975
170 Scott Rd.
Huntsville, TX 77320
www.dancinglightfusedglass.com