Art Camp for Big Kids: Spring 2011

I met Lori Stone about a million years ago when we were both enrolled in a certificate program at UW called Arts Management. I signed up for the program after taking a three-year break from performing.

Theatre and I stopped speaking shortly after I graduated from college after I performed the lead in an almost all-white, hip hop, rapping musical version of the Greek classic LysaStrata. This was in Illinois. Peoria, IL. Sometime around 1996.

I moved to Seattle - halfway across the country. Five or so years go by and I decide it would be great to get back into the theatre. Performing still made me nauseous so I decided to learn about the administrative side of things. I signed up for the Arts Management program and set off to attend the first class. We go around the room introducing ourselves and talking about why we decided to take the class. Suddenly a woman says, "I know you. We went to college together. You were in that play: LysaStrata." Oh. My. God.

I suppose I should have taken that as some kind of sign.

And of course, that has nothing to do with Art Camp for Big Kids. But that is how I met Lori.

We've kept in touch over the years and I've kept tabs on her dream of starting a camp for grown up people. She's realizing it in the form of: Art Camp for Big Kids -- and she invited me to attend the inaugural event. I agreed! How could I not?

The event took place over a weekend at Doe Bay on Orcas Island. It was stunningly beautiful. And there were actual does wandering around and nibbling on grass. Restful. Relaxing. Retreat-like.

Even traveling TO Orcas Island was lovely. The ferry ride is stunning. Breathtaking. Amazing. Am I overselling it?

I ended up carpooling with Alyssa. Lori set it up because I don't drive -- and it turned out great. She was a hilarious pleasure to road trip with. Thanks again Alyssa!

We arrived on Friday afternoon and settled in. I chose to stay in the hostel with some other folks in the program. We ate delicious dinner at the Retreat House and then Cherie led a session on Exploring Your Creativity. I loved it.

She had us partner up. Our partner was given an item inside a paper bag. They were not allowed to look at it - and neither were we. They described the object as they felt around in the bag and we had to draw what they described.

We also did some drawing with our eyes closed and also with our non-dominant hand. It was so much fun to just take a moment to concentrate on being creative.

Saturday I woke up feeling funny. You know that dizzy, float-ey feeling you get when you're starting to get sick? I had that. Times a million. I found my way to the Retreat House for breakfast and Papercraft with Jenna. I managed to make my twirl-ey paper ornament without collapsing but I could tell I was on the road to something that herbal remedies wouldn't be able to contend with. 

The afternoon chocolate tasting with Mark cheered me up - mainly because I got to each about 20 pieces of delicious chocolate and learn all kinds of stuff about the history of chocolate and how it's made. A really interesting lecture in a great setting. But even 20 pieces of delicious chocolate couldn't cure me....

I made my way to the sauna and hot tubs (yes, there are hot tubs with a killer view). I thought perhaps I could steam and boil whatever this thing was that was making me feel all wavy. No luck. (*p.s. - the hot tubs and saunas are clothing optional - just so you know that before you head over there. It's better not to be surprised about things like that.)

We had dinner in the Doe Bay Cafe and then headed back to the Retreat House to learn how to crochet. I was excited about this class in particular because I know how to knit but I've never figured out crochet. Lori was a brave teacher. She faced a room filled with people (who just had a few drinks) and told them they could leave this session with a fully crocheted scarf. She did her best but some folks decided they were more interested in getting to the hot tubs again before they closed. (Awesome!) Lori decided they were right. A few of us stayed behind and played art with all the supplies and I practiced more crocheting while I tried not to pass out.

On the last day we got to have another session with Cherie and we all made 3D sculptures. I was pretty much down for the count, but I did manage to make a sculpture. I think it's supposed to be a flower with seed pods in the middle. It's hard to say. At this point I had a temperature of 103 and really just wanted to be teleported home. Instead of teleportation, I got to ride back with the amazing Alyssa (which was next best after teleportation).

In short - aside from being totally ill and worried that I was just going to get everyone sick and ruin the event - Art Camp was awesome. When I'm sick I normally spend a week on the could moaning, "I'm dying." Ask my husband. I think it speaks volumes about Art Camp for Big Kids - that I held it together and participated in all the projects and generally had a wonderful time - even though I was pretty much a walking zombie.

Imagine how much fun it would have been if I was at 100%? I know I'll be back and I know I'm very much looking forward to it. Don't worry - you'll hear all about it.