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Atlantic Center for the Arts
New Smyrna Beach, FloridaAtlantic Center for the Arts is a nonprofit, interdisciplinary artists’ community and arts education facility dedicated to promoting artistic excellence by providing talented artists an opportunity to work and collaborate with some of the world’s most distinguished contemporary artists in the fields of music composition, and the visual, literary, and performing arts. Community interaction is coordinated through on-site and outreach presentations, workshops and exhibitions.
The idea of a quiet place where artists could go to focus on their art and work with internationally renowned "masters" in a tranquil, natural environment blossomed in 1977 in the mind of Doris Leeper, a painter, sculptor and active environmentalist. A forthright, determined, passionate woman, Leeper soon persuaded friends and community members to join in her vision. In 1979, she convinced The Rockefeller Foundation to provide a challenge grant that soon was matched. This $25,000 in seed money unofficially birthed Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
The residency program brings together internationally-acclaimed master artists from different disciplines with talented artists who are selected by the masters. The artists attend a three-week residency session that includes master classes, individual critiques, opportunities for collaboration, and private studio time. Atlantic Center for the Arts officially opened in 1982 for the first residency with author James Dickey, sculptor Duane Hanson and composer David Del Tredici (photo pictured above). Since then, over 121 interdisciplinary residencies have take place, featuring 360 Master Artists and over 2,350 Associate Artists, 30% from Florida. Atlantic Center is often the starting point for new works which go on to be produced at national performance centers such as the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, the Spoleto Festival, Jacob's Pillow, the Walker Art Center and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
The Atlantic Center for the Arts
www.atlanticcenterforthearts.org
386-427-6975
Creative Pattern and the Muse
Come study with internationally acclaimed painter and calligrapher Laurie Doctor in diverse settings around the world. Laurie teaches workshops in painting, drawing, calligraphy and bookmaking in a contemplative setting. Each workshop
is unique with a specific focus. All of the classes are in a friendly atmosphere that cultivate the muse, that ignite the creative pattern and allow each individual to go further into his or her own work. In each class you will go home with something particular that is your work: a book, portfolio or series of paintings. Each student is met at his or her level, and all levels of experience, from beginning to advanced, are welcome. If you are interested in carving out time away from the demands of time and culture and exploring your own particular gifts, come join us!
Laurie Doctor Studios
Laurie Doctor Studios Travel Website
502-292-2148
North Dakota
North Dakota visitors can learn about the state’s culture and heritage in a new way: by getting out of their cars and tour buses and into fields, kitchens and canoes. Learning Based Vacations cater to groups or individuals looking to combine learning new skills with fun and adventure. Create your own customized learning-based vacation in a variety of areas such as agriculture, American Indian studies, art, birding, immigrant cultures of North Dakota, living history and paleontology.
North Dakota Legendary
North Dakota Legendary Travel Website
800-435-5663
Nature Photography Workshop
Join noted nature and wildlife photographer Kristen Westlake for an inspiring workshop at Cable Nature Lodge. The Lake Geneva area artist has been featured on the Outdoor Wisconsin television show and in Wisconsin Trails magazine and numerous other publications. Kristin's exquisite photography graces various books, magazines, calendars, and brochures. But her specialty is fine art photography printed on canvas in sizes ranging up to 40 x 60 inches and employed by interior designers and decorators as major focal pieces for their client's homes or offices.
Scheduled upon request (minimum two participants) the workshop kicks off with a fun evening of interactive dialogue featuring Kristin’s photography and stories that will inspire you for the following day of outdoor adventure. Early the next morning you'll head out for a hands on lesson in her unique approach to nature and wildlife photography. Partly a demonstration of technique, partly a sharing of philosophy, you'll love the way Kristen helps immerse you in the natural world. You'll discover for yourself the way nature can speak when you take the time to sit quietly, with no agenda, waiting to capture fascinating images of nature and wildlife behavior that eludes most observers in an increasingly impatient world. The workshop will conclude that afternoon with participants sharing their images and discussing what they learned.
Cable Nature Lodge
Cable Nature Lodge Travel Website
866-794-2060
Lecture Vacations
Courses are taught by local university professors, professionals and experts. Participants will enjoy 3-5 classes daily during weekdays when not on sightseeing tours. A variety of subjects are offered at each destination including the arts, music, history, politics, current events, philosophy, literature, local issues, senior related topics, social sciences, nature, world studies, religion and much more. Courses are lecture-style and are designed for enrichment and enjoyment. Destinations are within the United States and Canada.
Grand Edventures
www.grandedventures.com
877-354-1077
Taste of Tuscany
Experience firsthand the good tastes of Tuscany. We have designed our cooking and wine classes to expose you to an intimate side of that Italian lifestyle that is so appealing to all. Our tours expose you to the best that Tuscany has to offer.
Spend a fruitful day in an original gallery kitchen of the 13th century Villa Pandolfini with hands-on instruction by one of our professional Italian chefs. Our menus vary according to the seasonal cuisine and are universally appealing. Our goal is to expose you to all of the Good Tastes of Tuscany. We guarantee an unforgettable experience.
Good Tastes of Tuscany
www.tuscany-cooking-class.com
801-405-0700
Italian Culinary Adventures
Cooking Vacations provides unique vacation adventures of food, wine and cooking classes in Italy at exclusive and beautiful properties, private villas, farmhouses and residences selected for their location and charm. Each program includes excursions to both well-known and undiscovered areas including outside markets, villages and vineyards that are rich in culture and connected to the local people.
Our programs in the south of Italy teach traditional recipes from Sorrento, Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, Salerno, Amalfi, Positano, Capri, Ischia, Ravello and Naples. Our programs throughout the north of Italy teach recipes from Montepulciano, Florence, Cortona, Siena and Sinalunga. All of our cooking programs are one-of-a-kind, hands-on and capture the art of Italian cooking, while eating, learning and enjoying “la dolce vita,” the sweet life. In Italy, la dolce vita is not a special occasion; it's a way of life! Our cooking programs take you into the life of Italian people and their passion for food and wine. We bring you into the daily life of artisans, wine producers, bread and pastry bakers and ceramic makers.
Cooking Vacations
www.cooking-vacations.com
617-247-4112
Variety/Worldwide
TraveLearn’s programs are designed for adult learners and include the level of comfort we believe that most adults are looking for. We use carefully chosen, centrally located, air conditioned deluxe and first class accommodations with private baths for all our programs. In more remote, scenic, or historic areas on some portions of some programs, we provide the best available accommodations.
TraveLearn programs require that participants be in good health and able to do moderate walking. Some destinations are more strenuous than others. TraveLearn's overseas programs explore, explain, and teach not only about ancient traditions and cultures, but also provide insights into contemporary local customs and the current social, economic, and political situations in each of their worldwide destinations. Our national and local guides are not only extremely well informed about their country's past, but they are also knowledgeable about their country's present scene and are willing to share their personal and family histories to give you a better understanding of Today.
TraveLearn
www.travelearn.com
800-235-9114
Archaelogy
The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, located in southwestern Colorado, is dedicated to understanding, teaching, and preserving the rich history of the ancestral Pueblo Indians (also called the Anasazi) who inhabited the canyons and mesas of the Mesa Verde region more than 700 years ago. The area has one of the densest concentrations of well-preserved archaeological sites in the world, attracting the interest of archaeologists, and capturing the imagination of the public, for well over 100 years. Crow Canyon's campus-based programs allow you to participate in actual archaeological research, making exciting discoveries in the field and laboratory that add to our collective understanding of the Pueblo past. The Center’s research and education programs are developed in consultation with American Indians, whose insights complement the archaeological perspective and add a unique cross-cultural dimension to your experience.
Crow Canyon Archaelogical Center
http://www.crowcanyon.org/
800-422-8975
Yosemite
List of courses for 2008: Art & Music /Backpacks/
Birding/ Day Hikes/
Drawing & Painting/ Earth Sciences/
Family & Children/ Festivals & Conferences /
Mind, Body & Spirit/ Native American/
Natural & Cultural History/ One-Day Courses/
Photography /Practical Skills
Teacher Courses/ Volunteer Service /
Wildflowers & Botany/ Wildlife /
Winter Courses/ Women's Courses/
Writing
Yosemite Outdoor Adventures
http://www.yosemitestore.com/Merchant/seminar.htm
209-379-2321
Religion, Arts and Recreation
The Chautauqua Institution is a non-for-profit organization that serves as a community, a center, and a resource where the human spirit is renewed, minds stimulated, faith restored and the arts valued. It has performance venues, hotel, golf, tennis, and educational and recreational facilities.
For nine weeks each year, from late June through late August, the Institution offers a rich blend of arts, programming and recreational activities. Its educational mission is continued during the rest of the year with programs for older adults, Elderhostels and other learning programs.
Chautauqua's 55-Plus programs include lectures, workshops, recreation and group fellowship. 55-Plus weekend programs are offered in the spring and fall, and a residential week is held the last week of the nine-week summer season.
Chautauqua Institution
http://www.ciweb.org/
800-836-2787
Creative Expression
The Creativity Workshop is based in New York City and is taught around the world. It was established in 1993 by writer Shelley Berc and multimedia artist Alejandro Fogel to provide an alternative to traditional forms of education and thinking. The organization is dedicated to teaching individuals and groups about their creative processes. You will learn creative writing, drawing, story telling and memoir. Workshops are in New York City and Summer Workshops will take place in Crete, Prague, Florence and Dublin.
Creativity Workshop
www.creativityworkshop.com
212-922-1555
Learning Adventures
Routes to Learning Canada (RLC) is a not for profit organization committed to promoting and providing high quality life-long learning opportunities for mature adults and their families, in Canada and abroad, through travel and other learning activities.
RLC programs enrich the lives of older adults by stimulating their intellectual, emotional, social and physical well-being. RLC’s learning activities are made available through a range of educational offerings: single site and multi site travel programs, lectures, seminars, and community development.
Routes to Learning Canada
www.routestolearning.ca
866-745-1690
Learning Spanish
Spanish immersion at its finest in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Instituto Chac-Mool offers a unique learning experience with Spanish language courses and homestays with Mexican families. This program uses the Natural Approach, focusing on conversation and not tedious grammar drills that many schools require. Your tuition includes extra-curriculars such as one-on-one instruction, teacher workshops, conversation groups, Latin dance lessons and Mexican cooking workshops. Cultural excursions offered each Saturday. An excellent program for professionals, seniors, and families --- language learning can be fun!
Instituto Chac-Mool Spanish School
www.chac-mool.com
888-397-8363