News & Events

Five Creativity Workshops Offered at North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement

February 8, 2010

Registration is now open for the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement spring workshops. The hands-on courses, which are open to students of all ages and skills, range from lessons in outdoor photography to experiential learning with horses.

Illustrator Robin Rector Krupp will lead “Celebrate Spring with Watercolors” from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 27 and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 28. The first class will allow students to experiment with pouring, scraping, spraying, and using salt and resists for watercolors. During the second class students will cut and design layered artworks. The workshop will focus on color, composition and plant forms. Participants will complete the course with at least three matted paintings and six greeting cards. Cost for the workshop is $165, plus $20 for materials.

Orchid expert Ralph Coffey will teach “The Family of Orchids” from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 24. This workshop will guide budding orchid growers through the basic principles of lighting, watering, fertilizing, repotting, temperature and pest control. Students should bring up to three orchids for a hands-on repotting session. Other potting materials will be supplied. The workshop will conclude with a field trip to the WhiteGate Inn greenhouse. Cost for the workshop is $150, plus $5 for materials.

Photographer Richard Bernabe will teach “Outdoor Digital Photography” from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, May 14, and 4:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16. Students will have the opportunity to shoot wildflowers on the Blue Ridge Parkway at optimal times of the day. Participants will spend mornings on location, and afternoons in the lab to critique the morning’s images and work in the digital darkroom. Saturday will include an optional sunset shoot. Field topics include histograms, composition, exposure, image sharpness, landscapes and close-ups. Lab topics include Photoshop image presentation, color management, sharpening, brightness and contrast control. Students should bring their own digital camera and Photoshop or other photo editing software. Cost for the workshop is $325.

Karen Head, director and founder of Equinection, will lead “Letting Go-Moving On” at 6 p.m. Friday, April 9 and two daylong workshops on Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11. In this workshop students will work with horses to identify and overcome personal and emotional obstacles. Students may work with horses in a variety of settings, including a round pen, pasture or barn. Students may lead, groom or sit with a horse. Facilitators will be present to guide and help participants understand and integrate the horses’ communications. A class schedule and details are available at the Reuter Center. Cost for the workshop is $400.

Master flower show judge Martha M. Anderson will teach “Floral Design for Home and Show” from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 1. Students will learn how to create a basic floral masterpiece, discover the difference between floral arrangement and floral design, and recognize optimal plant materials and basic containers. Students should bring flowers from a home garden or supermarket, a cylindrical container, scissors or clippers, an oasis or pin holder and waterproof tape. Cost for the workshop is $55.

For more information or to register for the workshops, call the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement at 828/251-6140.