WINTER 2010
Here are descriptions of where Mel will be conducting workshops in the winter of 2010. For specific information including class availability, class description, registration, tuition, accommodations, etc., please contact the individual workshop organizers listed on the ' 10 Contact Info page.
Mel begins 2010 in the traditional Old World Mexican fishing village of Zihuatanejo, Mexico where he will be conducting a five-day, plein air workshop. Zihuatanejo, which is nestled around a small bay, is situated on the Pacific coast of Mexico, about 145 miles northwest of Acapulco. Just five miles outside of Ixtapa, the world-renowned resort, Zihuatanejo is easily accessible by the International Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Airport, which is conveniently located 15 minutes from town. "Zihua," as the locals call their town, is relaxing and quaint and full of culture. With its cobblestone streets and its view of the Sierra foothills, it is home to five beaches, including the beautiful protected beaches of La Ropa & Las Gatas, and the water- front walkway of Paseo del Pescador. Zihuatanejo has many small restaurants and shops. Its brick-paved beachfront where fishermen bring their catch to the beach is ideal for taking leisurely strolls. This charming town offers many interesting watercolor subjects and is perfect for a winter get-away with January bringing pleasant weather and average daytime temperatures in the mid to upper 70s. Flying Colors Art Workshops organizes all of Mel's workshops in Mexico and Europe and, as always, chooses quality, comfortable accommodations. You may contact Flying Colors (see Contact Info. page) for a specific itinerary. Flying Colors is also organizing Mel's workshop in Switzerland's beautiful Lauterbrunnen Valley in July.
In February, Mel will be making his first visit to beautiful Palm Desert, California where he will be conducting a five-day, indoor/outdoor workshop. Palm Desert, situated in the heart of the Coachella Valley and located 11 miles east of Palm Springs, experiences year-round sunshine. There is plenty to see and do in the culturally-rich Coachella Valley. There is the famous El Paseo shopping district with its many fine art galleries, museums, boutiques, and restaurants. There is also the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, which is a zoo and botanical garden and has a large collection of desert plants and animals. There
are miles of hiking trails, the famous Desert Willow Golf Resort, natural healing mineral water spas, and numerous canyons including Andreas Canyon with its more than 150 species of plants and groves of skirted palms and rock formations. With February bringing delightful daytime temperatures in the mid 70s and being surrounded by palm trees and beautiful desert views, Palm Desert is an ideal place for a watercolor workshop.
Mel continues his winter workshops in Orlando, Florida where he will be conducting a four-day workshop for the Central Florida Watercolor Society at the end of February. This indoor workshop will take place at Webster University. As everyone knows, Orlando is world famous for being the home to Disneyworld. Rich in art and culture, Orlando has a vibrant theatre community as well as numerous museums including The Orlando Museum of Art, which has ongoing exhibitions of American portraits and landscapes and American Impressionist works. The Morse Museum of American Art has the world’s most comprehensive collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany including Tiffany art glass, jewelry, and pottery. Orlando has its own ballet and opera companies in addition to its own philharmonic and a Shakespeare Theatre company. The notable Harry P. Leu Gardens comprises 50 acres of beautiful annuals and palms and a butterfly garden. Mel doesn’t get to Florida often so if you live in Florida or are one of the many "snowbirds" in the state, here’s your opportunity to join one of his workshops.
Mel always looks forward to making his annual visit to Atlanta, Georgia in March where he will be conducting a five-day, indoor workshop for the Spruill Center for the Arts. The Spruill Homeplace, the center of a large, working farm in Dunwoody, Georgia dating back to the mid-19th century, and five surrounding acres were donated to the Spruill Center. Established in 1975, Spruill Center, which is a private, non-profit organization, offers a wide range of programs including painting, ceramics, sculpture and photography as well as professional artist year-round exhibitions. Atlanta, a city full of history, has numerous art galleries, museums, historic houses, and scenic gardens. Mel's workshops at the Spruill Center always fill up quickly so if you're thinking of joining, our suggestion would be to sign up now. Be sure to visit their extensive website or request a brochure.
CHECK OUT OUR SPRING, SUMMER, AND FALL 2010 PAGES.
