BOOK ALTERING, COLLAGE, MINI-ALTARS AND MORE - Would you like a fun and rewarding art cultural experience in Guatemala ??? Then come join artist and designer Kit Davey for this adventure and learn easy techniques for collage and assemblage, using paper, paint and small 3-D objects. Art sessions will be a combination of instructor demonstrations, time for individual experimenting, sharing techniques and ideas, and together exploring Antigua for materials and inspiration. We'll go to the markets to find treasures that you may incorporate into your artwork, which just may become your travel journal - an artistic expression of all the new images and experiences you encounter while in Guatemala.

Some of the techniques you'll learn include paper weaving, rubbings, layering paint and paper, sewing on paper, pop-ups, and incorporating metal, wire, and glass beads into your work (This is only a partial list of the techniques and projects!). Projects will include book altering, embellishing old photos, keeping a trip journal, match box books, making artist trading cards and mail art and creating mini-altars. Your theme-based projects will expand your creativity and help you practice your new techniques. You'll come home with many completed works, lots of enthusiasm and new ideas to use in your art. This workshop is appropriate for both beginning and experienced artists (or any other kind of artist for that matter.

CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF GUATEMALA THROUGH ACRYLIC MIXED MEDIA AND COLLAGE - Find your own personal artistic expression through acrylic and water media layered on paper surfaces and then turn them into dimensional works of art with the guidance of popular instructor Kim Grant.

Kim will teach you how to create rich textures and interesting effects with innovative collage techniques. Participants will learn to combine a wide range of media, such as gesso, gels, paints, photos, and papers. With collage you will be cutting up, tearing out and altering an assortment of images from various sources into an intriguing exploration of layered color and texture. Various approaches to these processes will be shown in class through daily demonstrations and original artwork.

Your art will be inspired by the colorful and exotic surroundings you'll find yourself in. You'll utilize the interesting things you'll find at the markets - like fabulous Guatemalan handwoven fabrics, beads and milagros. This workshop is appropriate for all art skill levels and backgrounds. It's a perfect opportunity for those with little art experience, but with imagination and a desire to learn, create and have fun with the arts. More accomplished artists will learn new skills and techniques and discover ways to incorporate them into their own work.

COLONIAL RUINS, COBBLESTONE STREETS AND OTHER PICTURESQUE PAINTINGS - Join artist and popular instructor Sergio A. Solorzano for a visually exciting and unforgettable artistic experience at one of the most gorgeous 'on-location' locations in the world. This workshop focuses on learning and practicing the skills necessary to successfully paint the wonderful textures and colors found on old walls, cobblestone roads, red-tiled roofs, flower-filled courtyard gardens with many pilas and fountains, and landscapes with volcanoes and mountains -- details all found in abundance in Antigua.

Sergio begins each class with a demonstration of how to create a specific type of texture, such as old brick, rocks, crumbling paint, tiles etc... He will demonstrate in both oil/acrylics and watercolor. Then, as a class, you'll paint at a variety of nearby locations including the centuries old convent ruins of Santa Clara and Capuchinas, the luscious gardens of Casa Santo Domingo and Quinta de las Flores and at Tanque de la Union - where indigenous women still gather daily to wash their families clothes. Participants may expect to complete at least two 16x20 paintings during this workshop.

INTRO TO DRAWING -- FOR THOSE WHO SAY,, BUT I CAN'T DRAW !!! - If you are one of those folks (like me) who has always wanted to draw, however always says -- BUT I CAN'T DRAW !!! This is the workshop for you!! Join gifted artist Pat Rouse for this unique opportunity to finally try your hand at drawing -- lovely gardens, tumbling ruins with flowers overgrowning the rocks, and people -- indigenous Guatemalan women and children in their beautifully handwoven traditional 'traje'. ÔTrajeÕ is the colorful traditional dress still worn by many indigenous Guatemalans. The colors and patterns of the intricately handwoven blouses, called ÔhuipilsÕ, not to mention fascinating faces of all ages, will provide rich subject matter for your drawings.

Pat begins each class with a short demonstration of a variety of drawing techniques and mediums. However, her main focus is working independently with each student at their own skill level. Pat's success lies in her encouraging, non-threatening teaching style and ability to help artists discover renewed excitement in their work. She strives to help each student learn to put imageson paper without being critical of themselves, AND TO HAVE SOME FUN !!! "The goal is to become comfortable enough with what you are doing to become lost in it" according to Pat. Then you can loosen up, gain some confidence. It should be a playful experience. Then, ultimately, you become your own artist - creating and doing what you love to do.

EXPLORING THE FANTASY IN YOUR ART - Ever feel like you don't need help with your technique, but with what to create?? This workshop is designed for artists ready to explore how to more fully utilize their imagination and dreams for subject matter. Instructor and Guatemalan artist Deborah Du Flon will demonstrate how she utilizes poetry, color and composition to bring her feelings closer or put them away. Deborah is often asked where she gets the ideas for her lithe and spirit-filled paintings. Often, they are inspired by dreams.

Participants will read legends aloud, both Guatemalan and their own, and together discuss dreams, symbolism and how to paint around the feelings they arouse. Deb will work with students individually to help them creatively express the emotions they would like to portray and better utilize their imagination and dreams to explore the twists and turns of their creative minds.

HAND PAINTING ON SILK - Join British artist and designer Hilary Simon for a wonderful experience learning to paint on silk using the French technique of 'serti'. Serti means a gum resistant line. This media is easy to grasp and a lot of fun for both experienced and inexperienced artists. Participants begin by learning to master applying the gum resist line. The line controls the colour on the fabric and forms a barrier for the dyes. It is applied with a pipette which holds the gum. After a demonstration, and with lots of encouraging help from Hilary, you'll practice on small pieces of silk - each student working at their own pace.

The next stage is preparing a design and applying it onto the stretched silk. Progress is gained in little time - with marvelous and immediate results. The dyes are vibrant (so appropriate to work in Guatemala!) and you'll learn and experiment with a variety of methods to obtain unusual special effects. Painting on silk is very rewarding. The dyes flow beautifully onto the silk and colours merge and wonderful designs are created as if by magic!! Participants can expect to complete two or three designs/paintings during this workshop.

WATERCOLORS/ INK AND WASH - Here's a watercolor workshops for those looking to work on the basics of this medium. Instructor Marian Alstad works with each student's ability, but likes to start with the basics. She'll cover the elements of composition, value studies and demonstrate different ways to put washes on paper. She'll explain how to choose a paintable subject. This is particularily important when painting outdoors, as we do in this workshop. Artists often become overwhelmed when faced with too much detail.

You'll then concentrate on learning to see less - rather than more. With that new skill, you'll learn to quickly capture the essence of the subject in front of you by sketching with ink and adding color washes. Marian's skill lies in helping her students paint realistically -- but with a looser style.