Oiseaux Sisters Summer Retreat Details
Telling Stories
July 22 - 27th, 2012
What to Expect
We provide a wealth of images to open your imagination, a beautiful setting to work in, time for sharing ideas and quiet contemplation. You will have access to our huge library of images and our considerable collection of Asian and Mexican folk art.

Our studio home was built around 1875 as a private school. After a time, it was converted to a hopital staffed by the one of the first woman doctors in the area (who also led seances in the attic). The building was converted to domestic use in the 1950’s. There are many places to work. Outdoors we have both front and back porches, a huge park like yard and a a large studio barn with many work stations. In the house there is common rest and dining space, a woodshop, metal, copy and painting studios as well as more work stations.

Our workshop will combine one on one and small group coaching with class projects, exercises and critiques. Studios are open for work 8 AM to 8 PM. Instruction is provided 10AM - 12PM and 1PM - 2:30PM though we are available throughout for consultation. We provide handouts on many techniques.

A tremendous resource for all of us is the great wealth of experience and imagination that each participant brings. This is a week of intense focus and immersion with others who treasure their time making art.

Prior to classes, we will send a Reading List, as well as basic tool kit and materials lists.

Moravia, New York
Our studio is located in the historic village of Moravia, NY. The village is charming and pedestrian friendly. We are easy walking distance of shopping, restaurants, a library post office and, most importantly, a hardware store. We are just a short walk from Filmore Glen, a state park with swimming, camping, and beautiful hiking trails. There are also several other lovely hiking trails along the creek that runs through the village.

Our Fingerlakes area of upstate NY is rich with natural beauty. Lakes, parks, gorges, waterfalls, and forests alternate with rolling farm land and vineyards. The village is just south of Owasco Lake, one of the finger lakes. We are a 25 minute ride to Ithaca, NY, home of Moosewood and many other good restaurants, interesting shops, movies and cultural events at Cornell University and Ithaca College. Cornell is the home of Sapsucker Woods and the world famous Lab of Ornithology. We are just a short drive from Mackenzie-Childs’ pottery extravagant lakeside headquarters (with aviary, roving exotic cattle, factory and second’s shop) and the Aurora Shoe outlet. Another favorite stop of our participants is Dinosaur Dry Goods which features “lightly used” Flax, Angelheart and other designer clothing. A 20 mile drive to the west will bring you to Seneca Falls, home of the Women’s History Museum, the Elizabeth Cady Stanton House and several other sites key in the history of the Women’s Sufferage movement.

 

The session concludes the day before our favorite local “holiday”, the Route 90 Fifty Miles Of Garage Sales. This is always held on the last weekend in July and runs from Route 81 through rolling hills, continuing up to the northern most tip of Lake Cayuga. All of the many small towns have bake sales and barbecues, rumage sales, book sales and everywhere, even in the fields are tables set up with items waiting to be claimed. There are people cleaning out their attics and professional antique and flea market dealers throughout the route. The sale runs through both Saturday and Sunday.

Meals will be healthful fare featuring local fresh fruits and vegetables of the season. A lunch “smorgasbord” is provided daily. We provide dinner Sunday, and Friday. There are light snacks and beverages available throughout the day. LET US KNOW YOUR DIETARY RESTRICTIONS IN ADVANCE.

Studio Supplies
Your tuition covers tools and materials you will use in class as well as technique handouts. Materials may include: Paperclay, casting paper, colored gessos, wood, sandpaper, metal foils. You will also have access to our wood shop and copy studio includes 10 free color copies and 20 black & white copies free.

Home Stays in Moravia
The village of Moravia has little in the way of commercial accommodations. We have, therefore, asked friends to open their homes to participants in our workshops. Several have generously agreed to do so. Most of these accomodations run $45 - $55 per night. All reservations for accommodations are between the home owners and you, so please call them with any questions. We will provide a housing list after registration.

Hotels/Motels/ B & B’s
If you wish to stay at a regular B & B, Hotel or Motel, Ithaca is a lively college town a pleasant drive (20 - 30 minutes) from Moravia--Movies, Restaurants, galore. Other options you can try are Groton, Aurora, Lansing, Skaneatles, Cortland and Auburn, NY which are about the same distance from Moravia. Here are some websites to start your research
http://www.VisitIthaca.com/
http://www.bbithaca.com/#links

Camping:
Our studios are walking distance from a lovely state park, Fillmore Glen. They have a few rustic cabins (beds, fridge, stove, sink but a short walk to the bathroom). If you want to get a cabin, contact them early, as they are very popular and reservations for the summer fill up quickly.
They also have camp sites for RV’s and tents. To find out more go to: http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/157/details.aspx

A TO BRING LIST will be provided after registration.

Below are a few images from our New York workshops.
living room student
students students
yard in Moravia

Paper mache in the backyard at the studio in Moravia, New York

Below are inspirational images for the "Telling Stories" week long art retreat.
story images
altered book
toy paper theater
Little red riding hood
story collage

 
 
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