Beginner to advanced artists and photographers are invited to join us for an extraordinary art and photography adventure to the spectacular Palouse region of eastern Washington State this Memorial Day weekend May 2019.

Treat yourself to a splendid, long weekend exploring photography, watercolor, oil and acrylic painting at your own pace and ability, from the historical Eureka Farm nestled in the heart of the famous Palouse country. Northwest Art Center art instructors will take you on daily adventures as you experience and capture the creative beauty of the Palouse.

Optional daily morning yoga classes, optional field trips and all meals included.

Testimonials

Li and Jon Ochs were incredibly welcoming and generous hosts. The farm was a beautiful backdrop for creativity and togetherness. I loved it!

The NWAC Artist Retreat was a magical, amazing weekend that stretched and replenished my artistic spirit. It was great to share the weekend with so many like-minded souls and make so many wonderful new friends!

I cherish my memories of this weekend spent at Eureka Farm in the Palouse. I was able to eat and drink with fellow artists, learn about and try my hand at painting and photography, admire the wildlife and the spectacular scenic parts of the farm and surrounding areas, play bocce ball, watch a movie, take naps, make s’mores and sit around the fire, and help prepare a delicious Italian feast. I loved it!

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY

Explore various mediums and techniques from professional artists. A detailed daily schedule will be available a couple weeks before the retreat starts.

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Class: Plein Air Painting at Penewawa

Instructor: David Repyak
Medium(s): Acrylic or Oil
Description: Enjoy plein air painting down at Penewawa down by the Snake River. 3 hours of painting outside followed by a picnic lunch (provided) and then a different afternoon location with 3 additional hours. Please bring an easel and your favorite brushes and paints. We will provide two 12″x 12″ boards for acrylic or oil painting per person, and have extra brushes and paints on hand if needed.
All ages, all ability levels.

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Class: Van Gogh Impressionist Landscape

Instructor: Terri Muharsky
Medium(s): Acrylic on stretched canvas
Description: This class aims to teach how to paint in a bold impressionist style with emphasis on how paint strokes uphold composition. Using this painting as a point of inspiration, I will show how to create emotional impact with color while using paint strokes that create movement and structure. We will use fingers, not brushes, to apply the paint to the canvas board.

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Class: Loose and Vibrant Landscape Painting

Instructor: Irina Johnson
Medium(s): Acrylic on stretched 12″x12″ canvas
Description: Enjoy this beginner 3 hour easy step by step acrylic lesson with Irina. Irina has taught adult painting classes for the last sixteen years. She has recently shown her art at the Duvall Art & Wine Walk, and in 2015 she exhibited in New York City. This will be Irina’s first year at the Palouse Art Retreat. We are excited to have her join the project and know you will enjoy her fun teaching style.

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Class: Watercolor Flowers – Loose and Lively

Instructor: Susan Jenkins
Medium(s): Watercolor
Description: Capture the colorful beauty of Li’s spectacular garden with splashes of vibrant color, bringing life and freshness to your watercolor paintings. Learn techniques for expressive brushstrokes, mixing bright, lively colors and portraying the vitality and freshness of flowers through simplicity and style. Class will begin with instruction on drawing technique and composition. A step-by-step demonstration in watercolor will follow: saving white space, wet in wet technique, color mixing, and texture. All levels are welcome to explore expressive beauty of the garden.

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Class: Watercolor Barns

Instructor: Nadja Wilson
Medium(s): Watercolor
Description: All levels welcome. Bring a couple color copies of your favorite barn. Nadja will show you how to easily transfer the basic structure of your barn from the photograph, then a guided step by step method to paint sky, fields and some basic texture techniques for the barn roof and walls. Last year, Nadja spent 100 days water color painting a barn a day. She will share some of the tricks and observations she learned through this daily artistic dedication. The class will also discuss suggestions for how to dedicate yourself to regular artistic mindful practice and the value it brings to your life.

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Class: Funky Chickens of the Palouse

Instructor: Pam Martin: I’ve been creating since I was a young child. One whole summer was spent with my brother, building an entire city out of clay, which even included tiny pieces of popcorn for zoo animals and Jaws menacing a small boat in our little pond. My mom was OK trading an endless supply of clay for a quiet summer. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest gave me a great appreciation for the outdoors, wildlife and especially the ocean. I’ve always imagined the magical world that exists in the deep waters. My love for whales has led to a decade of educating people about them and assisting with research projects, and the ocean theme carries over into much of my art. I love to tap into a magical and whimsical world though my art and to take my viewer where imagination is limitless. I am currently focusing on illustration for children’s books.
Medium(s): Gourds, acrylic paint, acrylic and permanent markers, polymer clay
Description: Paint your own Funky Chicken gourd and decorate with acrylic paints by brush or acrylic paint markers. You will create your own beak, waddles and crown with polymer clay.

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Class: Photography with Jim Martin

Instructor: Jim Martin is a travel, nature and landscape photographer based in the Snoqualmie Valley. His work has been featured in the Edmonds Arts & Crafts Fair, the Kenmore Art Show, several local exhibitions in Duvall, WA and a juried exhibition at the Microsoft headquarters. His travel photography was shown in a solo show in Duvall, and one of his images was featured on the Bing.com home page. His work can be seen at https://www.jimmart.in/

Medium(s): Photography, bring your own camera and photography equipment.
Description: The Palouse in Eastern Washington is a world-famous landscape photography location. For this class, we’ll discuss some technical details for capturing your best images of the landscape, cover some composition guidelines, then hit the road to photograph some of the most iconic Palouse locations. Afterward, we’ll upload the images to a big screen computer and (after some quick processing) see what we’ve got!

This class is perfect for beginning/intermediate photographers. More advanced photographers would enjoy the field trips but might zone out during the lecture part…

Participants should bring their own cameras. Interchangeable lens DSLRs or mirrorless cameras are most appropriate, as they offer the most control over their functions. Users of point and shoot or mobile phone cameras can participate in the class but won’t be able to make use of some of the advanced shot techniques discussed. Multiple lenses and extra equipment like tripods and filters should be brought along if they’re available.

Class time would be roughly two hours – an hour of lecture Saturday morning and an hour of review Saturday afternoon. I’ll be going to take photos Saturday after the lecture – students can go their own way or stick with me to work on getting shots. Similarly, students
are welcome to join me on the trips to Steptoe Butte and Palouse Falls, where I’ll help them get shots.

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There’s an option below for locals to pay for and just attend the art classes and meals.

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FIELD TRIP TO STEPTOE BUTTE (Optional)

Enjoy an optional field trip to the top of the famous Steptoe Butte. A world renowned place to take photos and enjoy a 365 degree view of the Palouse country. We’ll plan the field trip weather pending for sunrise or sunset. The field trip to Steptoe Butte is free and anyone local to the area is welcome to join the group. But please provide your own transportation.

FIELD TRIP TO THE DAHMEN BARN (Optional)

Enjoy an optional field trip to visit the Artisans at the Dahmen Barn. The barn was developed to provide local artists and crafts people working studio space along with the opportunity to showcase their work and sell directly to the public. There are thirteen studio spaces at the Barn, where artisans create their work and are happy to talk to visitors about their creative process. The artists have access to their space 24/7, so working hours vary from studio to studio. Some of the resident artisans have full time jobs, so can only be there weekend days.

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DAILY YOGA (Optional)

Enjoy optional refreshing and easy morning stretch with yoga instructor Suzie McNeilly.

Yoga will start at 8am Saturday-Monday in the lawn at Eureka Farm.

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DINING & CELEBRATION

Arrive on Friday for happy hour and heavy appetizers. Delicious farm family style, home cooked meals (breakfast, lunch and dinners) are served every day. Wine selections flow with dinner. Please bring your own other alcoholic beverages of choice.
There is a bocce ball court, croquet, fields to stroll in, owls to watch and a fire pit to enjoy late into the starry night evenings.

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EUREKA FARM RETREAT HOSTS

Meet your gracious hosts Jon and Li Ochs, owners of Eureka Farm. Jon pioneered organic legume farming in Dusty, runs a software business out of the old farm bunk house, enjoys playing bocce ball & chess, and has many interesting stories to share with you. Li is an artist with textiles and in the garden. You will enjoy her lovely flower and vegetable gardens, her perspective and lively conversation.

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ACCOMODATIONS

Eureka Farm Cottage and the new Rte. 26 Farmhouse Air BnB owned by our Yoga instructor are nearly fully booked.

Please email nadjaw@hotmail.com to inquire about other available rooms nearby.

Full meals, optional daily yoga, classes and all art materials included in the price.

Eureka Farm Cottage House at Eureka Farm

The Cottage House is located at Eureka Farm, walking distance from the main farm house. The Cottage House can sleep 2 individuals and/or 2 couples.

• BOOKED: Room 1 – private with a queen bed + retreat classes + meals $550.00
• BOOKED: Room 2 – private with a queen bed + retreat classes + meals $550.00

1 and a half bathrooms shared by both rooms.
Full kitchen with coffee and juice supplied.
Big hot farm breakfasts will be served at the big farm house daily.

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Rte. 26 Farmhouse

The Palouse is known as the Tuscany of the USA. Nestled in an area where you can take in the seasonal views of grain fields & cattle grazing. Located on a hay & grain farm. 2 bedrooms/queen size beds. Full bath. Galley kitchen & breakfast nook to enjoy a meal or have coffee & muffins in the mornings. Sit outside on the redwood deck & enjoy the beautiful Palouse sunsets. Cozy & comfortable. 10-15 minutes from Eureka Farm art retreat location.

• BOOKED: Room 1 – private with a queen bed + retreat classes + meals $550.00 or 2 nights $475.00
• BOOKED: Room 2 – private with a queen bed + retreat classes + meals $550.00 or 2 nights $475.00

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Alternative Hotel or Airbnb Options

The following options are not included in the retreat. Please book your own accommodations below directly with them, and then pay for the retreat food and art classes. Union Creek Ranch Union Creek Ranch is nestled in the hills of the Palouse in southeast Washington, four miles off Highway 195, between Pullman and Colfax. We are conveniently located close to Washington State University (WSU) and offer the business traveler an opportunity to relax and enjoy a stay in the country at the end of the workday. We also cater to those looking for outdoor adventure, such as hunting, fishing, or photography, as well as families seeking a quiet and peaceful getaway in the country. Best Western Wheatland Inn The Best Western is located in the town of Colfax about 20 minutes from Eureka Farm. You would need to make your own reservations and book separately from the retreat. Then pay for meals and art classes on our website only. Air BnB has many options near Colfax, (about 20 minutes from Eureka Farm) for example you can stay in a barn outside of Colfax.

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Cancelation Policy

If you cancel at anytime there is a $50.00 non-refundable deposit. No refunds if canceled after May 18th. You may send someone in your place, but no refunds after May 18th. We understand that no one books a trip like this with the intention of cancelling it, but unexpected events do occur, so please consider purchasing travel insurance (see below) and that it is your responsibility to read and understand our cancellation policies. Exceptions cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. No refunds or credits for failure to attend or failure to complete the retreat, or for arriving late or leaving early. We recommend that you purchase your own travel insurance. We encourage you to purchase trip cancellation insurance in order that your trip fees will be covered should you or your family have a medical problem prior to your trip or while on the trip. Trip insurance should also be purchased to cover medical expenses in the event you have an accident while on the retreat. Most travel insurance must be purchased within 14 days of making your reservation. Northwest Art Center cannot be held responsible for any personal expenses, such as airline tickets due to changes in itineraries or retreat cancellations. TRAVEL INSURANCE It is recommended to purchase travelers insurance. Travel Insurance – Compare Trip Cancellation, Medical/Health, Baggage DISCLAIMER Northwest Art Center and all persons involved in courses (herein after referred to as “AGENTS”) act only in capacity as AGENTS for the participant in all matters connected with travel, sight-seeing journeys and transportation, and as AGENTS hold themselves free of responsibility for any damage occasioned by any cause. AGENTS will not be responsible for any damages or expenses or inconveniences caused by late departures or change of schedule, strikes or to their conditions, nor will be responsible for loss or damage to baggage or any of the participant’s belongings. All prices quoted are correct at time of printing, include the cost of operation of the journeys, and are subject to currency changes. AGENTS shall not be responsible for personal injury, death, accident, delay, loss, damage, irregularity or property damage as a result of force majeure or for any other losses or damages incurred by any person or journey participants caused by any delay or change of itinerary or arising out of any act, including, but not limited to, any act of negligence, any person acting for or on behalf of AGENTS for transportation, accommodation or sight-seeing provider or any other person or entity rendering any of these services or accommodations being offered in connection with this journey. This agreement supersedes all previous oral or written communications, representations, or agreements between the parties. Participants assume the risk involved when participating in a painting/photography course, foreign travel, and any and all activities and/or pursuits voluntarily undertaken while participating in the retreat. Participants agree that any and all disputes between Participants and Northwest Art Center shall be governed by United States Law. Participants agree to mediate any and all disputes prior to the institution of any litigation. In regard to the stay during the art course, AGENTS will provide safe, careful instruction and safe premises, but ask that each participant to take personal responsibility for their own self-care and (in the unlikely case) for any injuries incurred during a course. Modifications are given to students with specific needs. If participants are unsure of their physical ability due to previous injuries, they should seek the advise of a healthcare practitioner beforehand. Please email info@northwestartcenter.org if you have any questions.