Alegre Retreat 2027 Classes
- Katie Pasquini
- Judith Content
- Rhonda Denney
- Susan Lapham
- Independent Study
Katie Pasquini
Plein Air Painting
Stitched Landscape Paintings: In this immersive five-day class, we will combine painting, quilting, and collage to create expressive stitched landscapes. Each morning, we will paint en plein air (outdoors). On the first day, you’ll complete a guided painting, with step-by-step instruction focusing on composition and value—foreground, middle ground, and distance. We’ll work in the morning light before it gets too warm. In the afternoon, we’ll move indoors for a brief critique and refine the paintings. Then we’ll prepare them for stitching by adding backing and batting, followed by machine stitching to enhance texture and depth. On the second day, students may choose to create another guided painting or work independently, exploring a different landscape. The afternoon will again include critique, refinement, and quilting. Finished pieces can be stretched onto a frame for display or incorporated into a larger quilt composition. No prior painting experience is necessary—whether your style is abstract or realistic, the focus is on exploration, creativity, and enjoying the outdoor painting process. On the third day, we will translate our painted landscapes into fabric using a free-cut collage technique (no templates), encouraging an intuitive and expressive approach to composition.
All Levels
Sewing Machine Needed
Supply List: Plein Air Painting
Judith Content
MAKE! Evocative Forms with Striking Surfaces
In this hand-on workshop you will learn how to make and embellish an assortment of evocative small-scale sculptural forms. We will use Judith’s own scraps of arashi and itajime shibori dyed silks to create our first sculptures. We will learn tricks of construction and uses for unexpected materials. We will explore surface design techniques suitable for three-dimensional sculptural applications. Lastly we will focus on achieving textural effects through stitching and beading. Finished sculptures can be minimalist and unadorned or densely embellished. They may be reminiscent of beach stones, sea creatures, sweet confections, exotic plants, the possibilities are endless. They can be stand-alone sculptures, incorporated into wearable art, jewelry or accessories. The sculptures can also be integrated into art quilts or future projects. This workshop is a unique opportunity to play, explore, make and learn. It is suitable for all levels of experience.
All Levels
Sewing Machine Optional
Supply List: MAKE! Evocative Forms with Striking Surfaces
Rhonda Denney
Fabric Alchemy: Transforming Cloth with Pigment Patchwork & other Fabric Embellishment Techniques
In this 5-day immersion workshop, you’ll explore how to add color, depth, and texture through playful fabric embellishment techniques. Start with small, guided exercises and projects to build your skills and confidence. Then dive into your own chosen project—whether inspired by a photograph, sketch, or creative whim. You’ll learn how to combine fabric, pigment, and stitching in a variety of ways to bring your ideas to life. Designed for both beginners and experienced quilters, this hands-on workshop offers tools, tips, and plenty of encouragement to help you experiment freely and grow as an artist. Mistakes welcome—they’re just part of the journey!
All Levels
Sewing Machine Needed
Susan Lapham
Working With What You’ve Got: A Master Class in Creative Honesty
Working With What You’ve Got starts from a simple, slightly uncomfortable premise: you already have everything you need to make the work you’re trying to make. This workshop invites artists to stop waiting for the right idea, the right skill, or the right moment, and instead learn how to work rigorously, playfully, and generously with exactly what’s available. The emphasis isn’t on fixing or upgrading, but on noticing, committing, and using what’s already in play.
All Levels
Supply List: Working With What You’ve Got: A Master Class in Creative Honesty
Independent Study
Participants in Independent Study will join in on the festivities, the good food, the lecture series and everything else that goes along with attending Alegre Retreat and will work unsupervised in a class room having a set time for self critiques within their group. Each teacher will set aside one hour of class time to share their critiques of your work if desired.