Inside Out & Upside Down

Inside Out and Upside Down with Rachel Garceau

March 3 – 8, 2024
Tuition & Meals: $1,595

All materials and supplies will be provided. Additional supply fee of $50 - $150 will be due upon attendance based on actual costs of materials at the time.‍

Mold-made objects can seem almost magical. Depending on your preferred outcome, molds can produce objects that either conceal or emulate the evidence of the hand, but in either case the technique often mystifies viewers. Molds can be used to make one of a kind sculptures of a chosen medium, or they can be used again and again to create a series of multiples.

Whether your goal is to make sets of utilitarian ware or components for sculpture or installation, you will learn to harness the power of the multiple through mold-making and slip-casting. Beginning with forms that students have made or found, we will make plaster molds which we will cast in porcelain. We will experiment with methods of utilizing the mold itself in the application of surface design, and discuss casting other materials such as paper and plaster.

Every participant will complete at least one working mold which they can continue to use when they return home. Students will leave with the skills to continue to make molds as well as use them.

The workshop will also include an exploration of ways to remain mindful of the body in your studio practice, and how this consciousness can impact your focus and ability to solve problems.

Rachel Garceau is a studio artist living and working in the Atlanta, GA area, and has been recognized as a 2015 Emerging Artist by the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts and one of 2017’s Women to Watch by the Georgia Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Rachel received a BA in Fine Arts from Franklin Pierce College (NH) in 2003, and completed the two-year Core Fellowship at Penland School of Craft (NC) in 2013. She has received residencies at Vendsyssel Kuntsmuseum (DK), Arrowmont (TN), Haystack (ME), All Is Leaf (MA), and the Hambidge Center (GA). Her work has been shown nationally and has been published in Studio Potter, Ceramics Monthly, and NCECA Journal, and also appears in CAST: Art and Objects Made Using Humanity’s Most Transformational Process.

Learn more about Rachel Garceau here.

Tuition Includes:

• 6 hours of class instruction M-T; ½ day Friday
• 12 meals (5 breakfasts, 4 lunches; 3 dinners)
• Welcome dinner in private Serenbe home (Sunday)
• Access to the classroom after dinner
• Restorative Yoga Class
• Guided Labyrinth Meditation
• Nature Walk/Sound Bath

Accommodations:

Inn at Serenbe or within the Serenbe community: $225 - $400 per room per night includes  special 25% discount for workshop attendees. Rooms can be double or single occupancy. 

Contact: If you wish to stay at the Inn or book a home in the community, contact: guestservices@serenbeinn.com or call 770-463-2610. We have negotiated a special workshop discount so be sure to mention that you’ll be attending the workshop. The negotiated rate ranges from $225 - $400 per room. Also advise them if you wish to rent a golf cart during your stay.

If traveling with friends, sharing a home in the community provides access to a full kitchen and other amenities. Golf carts are available to rent by day or week. A car is not essential when staying in the community. You can walk to the classroom and restaurants, or golf cart. 

Additionally, you may wish to book your own accommodations outside the Serenbe community in Chattahoochee Hills through AIRBnB or VRBO. You will need a car with this option.

‍

Information and FAQs

About Serenbe

Serenbe is a wellness and arts focused community about 25 minutes south of the Atlanta Airport. Within this walkable community you will find 4 restaurants, The General Store, an art co-op gallery, and other retail and wellness focused shops. To learn more about the community, visit serenbe.com.

About Art Farm at Serenbe

Art Farm at Serenbe is the arts and environmental nonprofit that serves Serenbe and surrounding communities. Funded in part by every property owner in Serenbe, Art Farm's vision is "to be a global destination that inspires creativity, stewards environmental resources, and respects collaboration, diversity, and sustainability." We fulfil these goals by programming unique, engaging, and thought-provoking events and arts experiences across several arts disciplines for community members and visitors to enjoy.

Where are the workshops held?

Workshops are held in Guild 1; breakfast and lunch are served in Guild 2 within the community.

Guild 1 and 2 are located in the Grange Community next to The General Store. The address is:

10642 Serenbe Lane, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268.

Do I need a car?

We do not provide transportation to/from the airport so if flying in you’ll need to rent a car or arrange for Uber/Taxi to get to Serenbe. If you are staying within the community (either at the Inn at Serenbe or in a rental property), it is possible to walk to the classroom. Most locations are less than a mile from the classroom. You can also reserve a golf cart if booking through the Inn at Serenbe – which is the way most residents get around the community. If you are booking your own accommodations outside the community, you will need a car.

Are meals included?

Most meals are included in your tuition. Breakfast and lunch will be served in Guild 2 Monday – Thursday. Three dinners are also included in your tuition: Sunday, Monday, and Thursday. A special welcome reception and dinner is planned for Sunday evening in a private home in Serenbe; your final breakfast is served in Guild 2 on Friday morning. Tuesday and Wednesday evening dinner is on your own and a perfect opportunity to explore The Hill or Farmhouse restaurants.

What about accommodations?

You have several options for accommodations: The Inn at Serenbe, a private home in Serenbe, or other rental properties in Chattahoochee Hills.

The Inn at Serenbe: If you wish to stay at the Inn or book a home in the community, contact: guestservices@serenbeinn.com or call 770-463-2610. We have negotiated a special workshop discount so be sure to mention that you’ll be attending the workshop. The negotiated rate ranges from $225 - $400 per room. Also advise them if you wish to rent a golf cart during your stay.

Check-in is any time after 3PM.

AIRBnB or VRBO: you will find some homes available through these sites. Just be sure to check that the home is actually in Serenbe. There are also homes available in Chattahoochee Hills that are close to Serenbe but not within walking distance of the community or classroom. You must have a car if you stay outside the community as Uber service is not readily available in Chattahoochee Hills.

What if I need groceries?

The General Store, located within the community, is probably all you’ll need since most meals are provided. The closest grocery store (Publix/Kroger) are approximately 12-15 miles away.

What supplies do I need?

Once you are registered, we’ll contact you directly to advise re supply list and other details.

What’s our daily schedule:

8:00 am – Breakfast in Guild 2

9:00 am – Class begins in Guild 1

Noon – Lunch in Guild 2

1:00 pm – 4 pm – Afternoon class and activities

Above schedule is Monday through Thursday. We begin Friday with breakfast and conclude at noon. No lunch is provided Friday. On Sunday, we host dinner in a private residence at Serenbe. Address will be provided when you register. On Monday evening, all students will enjoy dinner in the community’s Blue-Eyed Daisy Café, in the heart of the Selborne Hamlet. This casual café is the perfect spot to meet neighbors and residents of the community. The menu features burgers (vegan options) and salads on Mondays. Tuesday and Wednesday dinner is on your own and Thursday evening is our final meal together.

What about the “Serenbe Experiences”?

We’ve planned three exceptional experiences for you to enjoy while visiting Serenbe. The cost is included in your tuition. We’ll work these into our class days and announce the schedule when you arrive. Please bring comfortable walking shoes, warm clothing for outside activities, and an adventurous spirit.

Guided Meditation Walk: Serenbe has a magical labyrinth based on the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France. It was built by the Nygren family and friends. Walking a labyrinth is a right brain activity (creative, intuitive, imaginative), and can induce or enhance a contemplative or meditative state of mind. It is a tool which can clear the mind, calm our anxieties during periods of transition and stress, guide healing, deepen self-knowledge, enhance creativity, allow for reconciliation, restore feelings of belonging to a community, and lead to personal and spiritual growth.

Restorative Yoga Class: Complete with essential oils, light touch Thai massage, relaxing music, and, of course, candlelight. This class will relax the mind, body, and soul. Yin Yoga focuses on the connective tissues of the body through postures that are held in stillness and mindful awareness for several minutes at a time. A perfect complement to more yang styles of exercise (such as flow yoga, running, skiing or biking), Yin Yoga addresses tightness and toxin buildup in the joints and connective tissue through poses that are equally challenging for the mind and body. The result is not only more lubricated and flexible joints, but also a greater sense of balance, peace, and calm. Props make the practice accessible to people of all abilities This is an all levels class, appropriate for beginners and advanced alike.

Guided Hike and Forest Bathing: You will be guided through a portion of the trails in Serenbe. Various types of plants and trees that are edible or can be used for Medicinal purposes will be identified, as well as a little history of the land. As we make our way down to a beautiful stream that runs through the woods of Serenbe, we will enjoy a guided forest bathing meditation. Forest Bathing is a guided meditation walk through nature. It originated in Japan in the early 1980's, and has been proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase energy, and improve sleep. The goal is to slow down and become immersed in the natural environment by engaging all senses: smell, touch, taste, and sight.

I live in Atlanta, or within driving distance of Serenbe. Do I have to stay in Serenbe to participate in the workshop?

It is not required to stay in Serenbe to participate in the workshop. As long as you feel comfortable arriving in time for the 8 AM classes and activities, you are welcome to commute from outside Serenbe!

Are beginners welcome, or do I need to have a background in sculpture to participate?

All skill and experience levels are welcome! 

Additional questions? 

Please contact info@artfarmatserenbe.org.

‍

Register for Inside Out & Upside Down 2024.