Where is Emma Lake – this perfect spot? Emma Lake is between New York City and the North Pole! A documentary was made about this special place in 2004. When I first watched it in 2007 I made sure to put Emma Lake on my bucket list. Just prior to Christmas 2009 I was contacted by the University of Saskatchewan and the Emma Lake campus coordinator to teach my first class there in July 2010.
I am very fortunate to be asked back again, for the third year in a row. I can’t wait to return! Emma Lake is situated in the boreal forest, a place that offers boundless sources of inspiration, creativity and a rich art history going back to 1935. Visit their website and find out more about the campus and its inception.
I shared in an earlier post that I will be taking a photography workshop in addition to teaching Art Quilt 101 this summer. Yesterday I received confirmation that my class is going ahead. Class size is small but one never knows – there is still time to register. I am preparing and packing handouts and supplies for everyone. This year I am offering a combination dye class and art quilt workshop with a strong focus on design. A full week to devote to these topics will be ideal. We claim the covered sculpture pad as our dye kitchen and one of the smaller classrooms will be our design and sewing base this year.
For anyone who has not been to Kenderdine Campus, here is what you will be missing: A walk-on campus with wild life all around. Bird song will wake us in our private and semi-private cabins the morning. The sunlight will be magical throughout the day. The food is home cooked and never runs out! Class time seems to go by fast with new information, lots of time to explore techniques and gain new skills. The evenings often feature artist talks and slide presentations. Canoes and life vests are available for excursions on the lake and every night we build a fire at the beach (if it rains, we build a fire in the dining hall pit), meet up with other students and forge new friendships. I have made some of the best friends at Emma Lake – it truly is a special place, one I treasure and look forward to returning to each summer. And yes, there are mosquitos… but they don’t like my Watkins Insect repellant!
Anna Hergert, Art & Design 