As I wrap up my two-week fabric collage immersion class here in Wisconsin, and before I share a quick Dispatch of the class as a preview, I want to remind everyone of some of my upcoming classes. In July I’m hosting a 5-day live online class via Zoom, which students can attend from their own home studios. Then in September, I return to Bar Harbor, Maine for a week-long class on the doorstep of the breathtaking Acadia National park. And in April 2027, I’m heading to the Tuscany region of Italy for a week of fabric collage and cultural field trips. (Click the links for more information.)
Now, on to my current class at Woodland Ridge Retreat! (Click on any image to see it larger.)
DISPATCH:
A message or report sent in haste, like a journalist’s report from a distant location.
These are some classroom shots: my demo area where I give a little talk plus Q&A every morning (photo above), followed by end of week-one photos of my students’ projects up on the pinning walls.
Half-way through our time together, their work tables are nice and messy, though some of them I consider a bit too tidy—this is a 2-week “immersive” class after all. I pointed out that I consider it more fun playing with fabrics when more of a mess is made. Allowing for a little creative chaos once-in-awhile is not a bad thing—”cut loose and let go” is a good motto.
Back to the beginning of class weeks…
When I arrived at the Minneapolis airport my bags had arrived earlier on another flight, but were patiently waiting for me and easy to see from afar. Take a guess as to which two are mine???? Sometimes I think I’m driven to take photos of everything that catches my eye, including the mosaic walls entering the airport restrooms—these are perfect for this year’s Year of the Horse!
Two of my students from September 2026 Bar Harbor, Maine 2-week class, are taking this 2-week class as well and brought their finished projects to show and share and wow!—they’re spectacular! Kiyomi Carter’s Kevin the chameleon and Marci White’s Acadia the goat, graced the hallways for the rest of the retreat.
Breakfast and lunches are at the retreat but dinners are on our own. However most everybody goes out together, sampling some of the restaurants that Chris, the owner of Woodland Ridge, recommends. Sharing a sushi boat or flower bedecked plates at a local Japanese restaurant was one of the favorite choices more than once.
We went to two Supper Clubs over the two weeks of class—a retro dining tradition in Wisconsin from the 50s era. Both served specialty Old Fashioneds, which I ordered since they remind me of the cocktails my folks used to serve at parties. I do wonder if all Dinner Clubs decorate with fireplaces and deer heads?
That’s all for this Fabric Collage Dispatch! Look for more student work from this Woodland Ridge Retreat 2-week class in upcoming posts.
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