Getting creative in Dunedin
For the 17th year in a row, and the 12th in picturesque Dunedin, Lynn Connell is welcoming any and all with a desire to be more creative to a series of workshops this summer.
The Creativity Art Retreat, Connell’s home and studio on the banks of the Noisy River, is the perfect place to be inspired by a who’s who of painters, both local and from afar.
“It’s a place that’s not scary,” says Connell of the colourful, loft-like interior of the studio. “That’s important, because these kinds of things can be intimidating.”
When attendees arrive on the first night of a retreat, the first order of business is to enjoy a glass of wine (or two) together on the back deck. The bonds that are made during those initial meetings tend to grow, to the point that what gets Connell most excited about the retreats is not the art that’s made but the community that’s formed.
“It’s really all about people meeting each other and passing on their knowledge and experiences,” she said.
On the roster for this year’s slate of retreats are instructors ranging from local painter John Anderson to renowned international artists Harold Klunder and M. Douglas Walton.
Connell makes sure to take a class with each instructor herself before inviting them to take part in a retreat, mostly to make sure their teaching style fits with her approach – namely, one that emphasizes creativity and avoids judgment.
“It’s really miraculous to see what happens here every summer,” she said. “People learn a lot about themselves, and their abilities inevitably catapult, whether they are fresh beginners or veteran painters.”
Programs at the Creativity Art Retreat range from three days long to six, and vary in price from $325 to $795. Gourmet meals and yoga sessions are included; limited accommodations are available at extra cost. For more information, visit www.lynnconnellart.com or call 416-951-6528 or 705-466-5552.
