March 28-April 1
This will be our 13th anniversary of doing Artfest at Fort
Worden and attendees continue to say that it just gets better
and better every year! Artfest was the original alternative arts
retreat to combine so many different types of art workshops as
well as having a place for the teachers and artists to sell their
wares and have some extracurricular events. While our work
shops are the cream of the crop, it is our evening events, the
location and the attendees who come that sets Artfest apart
from other events. People leave with brand new friendships
that last for years, new groups that they stay involved with long
after the event is over, a renewed sense of their artistic selves
and a recharged battery to take back with them to their normal
lives. It is a very nourishing event for your creative selves.
There is magic that happens in Port Townsend during the event
that no one can explain, but everyone feels.
The workshops are full day, 6 hour sessions (with a 90 minute
lunch break) designed to provide not only several techniques
learned throughout the day but time enough to actually work on
what has been learned so that it can sink in and a nice chunk in
the middle of the day to renew yourself and visit with
friends. The teachers come from all over the United States,
Canada, England & Australia and represent some of the best in
their fields.
We offer an exciting artist’s marketplace on Friday night, pro
viding a rare opportunity to buy original artwork from many of
the best alternative artists around the country. You can find
everything from found art jewelry, to assemblage art, mixed
media paintings, handmade charms, purses, prints, hand-bound
journals, funky zines, art dolls, textile artwork, and various other
one-of-a-kind works for sale. This is an exciting time to pick up
original work that sells for much higher prices in galleries and
such.
On Saturday night we have our show-n-tell where we invite all
attendees to bring what they have made during their workshops
so we can all see who made what and in which class. Many
have said this was among their favorite events at Artfest. Inspi
ration abounds!
Thursday is the night that we encourage smaller gatherings to
take place. Groups start to form within officer’s houses & dorm
wings as attendees meet to discuss the day’s events and pro
jects. Other online groups use this evening to meet face to face
and exchange projects they may have been working on (in the
months leading up to artfest) and we always host a journaling
party down on the beach with a bonfire and s'more fixin's for
you to enjoy. In 2012, we will continue the extremely popular
Iron Chef Artist challenge that we debuted in 2010. All in all,
there’s something for everyone’s mood that evening.
In addition, we offer a gallery so that the attendees can create
works of art that can be for sale….or not for sale. We do this
to allow the attendees an opportunity to make a few bucks to
supplement their expenses. This is always an inspiring show that
everyone loves. You can submit up to 3 pieces. No jury. More
details will come in your confirmation packet.
Fort Worden is an old military base that is located in beautiful Port Townsend, Washington. In fact, it is SO delightful, that we have had several persons decide to move there after attending Artfest! Even though the fort is a little rough around the edges, Artfest attendees continually tell us that is what adds to it's charm. You will see deer casually walking right in front of you as you meander down to your workshops. With the ocean and the trees as your backdrop, it will take your breath away. It is approximately a 2-hour drive from the SeaTac Airport. The trip involves driving into Seattle, taking a 1/2 hour ferry to Bainbridge Island and then traveling for about an hour North up the other side of puget sound. Most folks get together (via the yahoo chat group) and share a rental car but we do offer a shuttle from the airport (for about $80 RT) for those who need it. It has only one pick up time from the airport (2pm) and one departure time back to the airport (8am) and it takes 2 hours. More details will be in your confirmation packet.
Registration begins on Sept. 1st. You may send your registra tion forms anytime from the moment the website is up. How ever, we will not process anything until the 1st of September. At that time we will process all registrations by lottery. After the 1st, registrations will be processed as they come in all the way up until the middle of march. As the workshops fill, we mark “FULL” by the ones that are no longer available. You may ask to be put on a waiting list for a full workshop only if you are registered.
The price for Artfest is $520. This includes 3 days of work
shops, goodies and all the extra events:
You may add any of the following to your package:
$150 private dorm room for 4 nights
$130 shared dorm room for 4 nights
$150 shared queen bed in officers housing
$300 private queen bed in officers housing
$50 for 4 breakfasts
$40 for 3 lunches
$70 for 4 dinners
A deposit of $300 is required with your form to register. The
2nd half is due by Jan. 5, 2012. Please see the registration
form for our cancellation policy.
These are old buildings built around the turn of the century. The
fort has been on a path of fixing and updating many of it’s
accommodations for the past few years and every year we see
much improvement! Still, if you think of this as going to camp,
you'll be fine. If, however, you are accustomed to the best ho
tels, we would strongly suggest staying in town.
OFF CAMPUS - This free option is good for folks who live
close to the retreat, prefer nicer accommodations, or prefer
their own room with their own bathroom. Port Townsend has a
gazillion b&b's available in their victorian town. There are
some average motels in town as well. You can do a search on
google for options.
DORMS - These buildings have very small single rooms with
communal bathrooms down the hall. 2 of the dorms have com
munal showers but we procure extra bathrooms/showers up
stairs and post sign-up sheets so everyone can have privacy
while showering. We also use the men's restrooms as well to
provide even more space for the women. For this reason, we
do not allow men in the dorms to sleep. Linens, pillow, blanket,
towels, etc. are included with each room. But some folks like to
bring their own pillow and an extra blanket. Make no doubt
about it, these are bare bones rooms but we have people re
quest them every year.
OFFICERS HOUSES - These houses range from 2 bedroom
units to an 11 bedroom unit. They were built for the first offi
cers installed at Fort Worden and many have their original fea
tures including ornate tin ceilings and fireplaces. Each house has
a kitchen equipped with toaster, coffee maker, fridge, oven,
pans, dishes and utensils. The houses have a great living room
& dining room that is perfect for spreading out what you've
made during the day and sharing with your housemates. They
are large with lots of space. All the rooms have one queen bed
in each, so if you pick the shared option, you will be sharing a
bed.
Staying in the dorms or one of the houses provides a unique
experience that helps make Artfest what it is. Folks usually
have show and tell each night in their house or dorm and
make friends which last long after the retreat is over.
RESERVING HOUSING
If you have a group who would like to share a house or a dorm
room or wing, please contact us in august with how many peo
ple you have. We will try to set a certain space aside for your
group so you can all be together. However there are some
rules. Everyone MUST send in their registrations by the opening
day of registration. We cannot hold anything for you if you
don’t. We can not make any promises. And, if one or more of
your group cancels, we have every right to fill that empty space
with a person of our choosing. You will have the option of first
finding a replacement person for the one cancelling but if that
does not happen within 2 weeks, we will fill the space ourselves.
When requesting, email artgirl777@aol.com in august with the
names of people in your group and list who will be sharing with
who. Include the name of your group (name of the organizer).
We will email you back with choices.
Meals are optional. They are served buffet style. Many attendees love mealtimes as it allows time to get to know their fellow art ists better. They specialize in local, mostly organic fare and the raves from our attendees last year were loud and clear. They always provide a good selection of entrees & sides, a salad bar and a selection of desserts along with a soda fountain. We can offer a vegetarian or a gluten free option if you need it. You may add any combination of the following to your registration. Please see previous page for pricing.
Please visit the websites of all our teachers to give you a better overall view of their work. You will see links to most when you click on their individual workshop description pages. If you have questions about any of their classes, you can email them from their websites.
is only available to registered attendees. You will be given information on applying for a juried table with your confirmation packet.
There is a Yahoo group that you can join if you'd like to chat with others about the event and all things art related. This is a group that was independently set up and is not a part of Alter native Arts Productions activities. However, we read the mes sages when we can and try to answer any questions that arise in addition to making Artfest announcements periodically. We highly recommend that you join if you are coming to Artfest as you can find travel-mates to share a shuttle or a rental car, hear about useful techniques that the teachers sometimes throw out, find out more what to expect, keep informed of any changes, find out which off campus hotel is best, etc. The Yahoo Chat is moderated by Amy Peacock. Go to www.groups.yahoo.com and type in Artfest12 to find the group & register.
Artfest was a concept that consumed my every thought 13
years ago before anyone else was doing anything remotely
similiar. It was right after I went through a period of asking the
universe “What am I here to do”. When the visions started un
folding, I was excited and scared a little. But I knew that until I
set the wheels in motion, my thoughts would not leave me alone.
So I stepped through the first door and 13 years later, all the
rest of the doors have been flung wide open for me. It is one
way of knowing I am on the right path. The other way of know
ing is the warmth and love that emanate from so many of the
attendees year after year. I am realizing in this day and age,
this is needed for so many reasons. I feel truly blessed to get to
be at the helm of such an exciting adventure that has made a
difference in people’s lives. I was an artist with no real training
but a deep desire to help others be artists too. Thankfully I had
a troupe of really great teachers and friends and family who
were willing to stand behind me and all pulled together to
make Artfest what it is today. We work hard to create a nur
turing event where everyone feels accepted regardless of
where they are in their creative journey and also to show each
person just how much capacity they have for creating.
Taking time out for yourself is one of the best things you can
do in this busy, crazy world. Everyone needs time to just be
in nature, play, be silent, gather ideas, commune with other
artists, and get away from your everyday lives for a few
days. It allows you to refresh and pinpoint directions you
want to go in your life. The whole experience of Artfest from
the drive up, the beautiful fort on the beach, the inspiring
workshops, the caring teachers, the groups that form, and
your fellow attendees makes it the perfect place for this to
happen.
email me with any questions at artgirl777@aol.com
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