Artist Weekend Retreat in the Ozarks at Michael McClure’s Ananda Kanan
By Mary Drastal
Wow, what a wonderful event! October 27-29 was a whirlwind weekend at Michael McClure’s Ananda Kanan Retreat Center in the Missouri Ozarks. It is nestled in the hills just south of Willow Springs, near the Arkansas border. Over 25 people participated, with 20 artists and 5 art mentors: Nyle Gordon, Julie Wiegand, Allen Kriegshauser, Michael McClure, and Shawn Cornell. The trees were in peak colors. On the property is a large lake, hiking trails, a dormitory, cabins, dining hall and education center. It did rain, but not on our parade!
Friday through Sunday, the mentors offered plein air panel discussions, one on one help sessions and suggestions, a Tips and Tricks session, and a friendly critique. The mentors knocked themselves out to meet the needs of every artist. Ananda Kanan served the most delicious meals including vegetable lasagna, sweet potato soup, fresh baked bread, roasted vegetables and more! When it rained, we worked indoors to paint together in a large room. New friendships were forged, old friends spent time together, and the art educational programing was excellent. The artists were immersed in a painting experience the entire weekend. Special thanks to Dan Fishback for creating this event.
One participant wrote:
"Thank you" seems so inadequate for all you and the mentors did for us this weekend. The first time for anything can be plagued with hiccups and missteps. But it was apparent that through your diligence, planning, and hard work, this past weekend's inaugural SOAR Retreat was a huge success. Even when the inclement weather dampened the intention for a plein air experience, you didn't miss a beat. Still life set-ups? No problem. Painting through the windows of the dining hall. No big deal. Impromptu demos. Perfect!
Having seen the work of the mentors prior to the workshop, it was even more inspiring to watch and listen as each discussed and demonstrated their process. Creating art can be a rather solitary endeavor. Having the opportunity to work beside the mentors, learning from them as well as the other participants is an experience I will treasure. Thank you so much for making this experience possible.”
