Three-day Introductory Workshop, Friday, September 11th through Sunday, September 13: In the course of three days, you’ll work on a simple map, and in the process, learn techniques you can build on for the rest of your cartographic life. I’ll teach you how to locate the right mapping sources for your project, to employ those sources for your own purposes, to incorporate design and color into your maps, and to use various media. We’ll examine design styles, exploring the best design vocabulary for your particular purpose. I’ll give you all the measuring tips, methods, and short-cuts I’ve developed over the years. If you haven’t been bitten by the cartography bug before you start, I’m pretty sure you’ll be a convert by the end of the workshop. You’ll leave with the tools you need to map trips, personal histories or heritage, properties, or causes—for yourself, for your organization, or for your family and friends. You don’t have to be an artist to make a handsome and meaningful map: all you need is motivation, an interest in mapmaking, and the nerve to apply pencil to paper.
The workshop fee is $650, which includes–besides instruction–all the materials and tools you’ll need. During the summer, I’ll send you information and homework (yes, homework: I want you to arrive here with a particular plan and focus for your project). Also included in your fee is continental breakfast and lunch daily, along with wine and cheese to close Friday and Saturday’s sessions. The workshop is limited to nine attendees, which insures lots of attention from me, elbow room in the studio, and camaraderie with your fellow mapmakers.
The workshop does not include accommodations or transportation. I live in a little town with no hotels, but in the Connecticut River Valley and along the Connecticut shore are many hotels and B & B’s, ranging from standard-issue hotel chains to luxurious little inns. Depending upon your preference, you’ll stay anywhere from ten minutes away to a half-hour: I’ll send a list when you sign up. This is gorgeous leaf-peeping season, a popular time to visit New England, so don’t tarry in making your plans. If you’re flying to CT for the workshop, here are the airports with distances from my studio: Bradley (BDL), 35 miles; Westchester (NY) County Airport (HPN), 71 miles; T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, RI (PVD), 91 miles; La Guardia Airport in New York (LGA) & Kennedy in New York (JFK), 100 miles; and Logan Airport in Boston (BOS), 124 miles. And of course, if you fly, you’ll need to rent a car (Note: if you’re choosing among metropolitan airports, know that I much prefer Logan to Kennedy or La Guardia: Logan is less congested, and the drive from Boston to Durham is less annoying than is the drive from NYC to Durham).
Autumn in Connecticut is beautiful, so you might want to spend a couple of extra days exploring, hiking, or visiting our wonderful historical sites and museums: more on these anon.
The hitch: As I said, the workshop is limited to nine attendees. First come, first served. You’re required to send a $150 deposit when you sign up; the balance is due August 15th. To sign up or make inquiries, call (860 575 4640) or e-mail me at connie@redstonestudios.com.
Three-day Advanced Mapmaking Workshop, Friday, September 18th through Sunday, September 20th: If you’ve attended one of my workshops, or if you’re an experienced mapmaker, this workshop is open to you. Unlike neophytes, you understand how to approach a map project: you’ve begun to understand the factors involved in designing a map, and you know the importance of clarity and focus. Then there’s the fun stuff: design vocabulary, palette, and art medium. Unlike the introductory workshop, in which I prescribe the parameters of your project, this workshop allows you to make any kind of map you want (travel map, property map, biographical map, genealogical map, imaginary map, memory map, stewardship map) in the medium of your choice (within my area of expertise, that is!). Hazel Jarvis and I will be your hovercraft advisors, moving from student to student, giving a few demonstrations here and there. I can’t promise you’ll finish, especially if your aim is ambitious, but you’ll leave with your map well-launched, equipped with the tools and techniques.
Like the introductory workshop attendees, you’ll have summer homework: by August 15th, you’ll report to me your cartographic subject, your theme, the data you plan to use, and the medium you have in mind. You and I will talk (or e-mail) about the project and do some preliminary problem solving. Having prepared ahead, you’ll make the best use of your three days in the studio.
The workshop fee is $650. This fee includes–besides instruction, of course—all the tools and supplies you’ll need (If you’re a returning alumnus of last year’s advanced workshop and you still have the art supplies I provided you, let me know: I’ll reduce your fee accordingly). Beyond cartography, your fee includes a continental breakfast and lunch each day–and wine and cheese to close Friday and Saturday’s sessions. The workshop is limited to nine attendees, which insures elbow room, lots of personal attention from Hazel and me, and opportunities for camaraderie.
The workshop does not include accommodations or transportation. I live in a little town with no hotels, but in the Connecticut River Valley and along the Connecticut shore are many hotels and B & B’s, ranging from standard-issue hotel chains to luxurious little inns. Depending upon your preference, you’ll stay anywhere from ten minutes away to a half-hour: I’ll send a list when you sign up. This is gorgeous leaf-peeping season, so don’t tarry. If you’re flying to CT for the workshop, here are the airports with distances from my studio: Bradley (BDL), 35 miles; Westchester (NY) County Airport (HPN), 71 miles; T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, RI (PVD), 91 miles; La Guardia Airport in New York (LGA), Kennedy in New York (JFK), 100 miles; and Logan Airport in Boston (BOS), 124 miles. And of course, if you fly, you’ll need to rent a car (Note: if you’re choosing among metropolitan airports, know that I much prefer Logan to Kennedy or La Guardia: Logan is less congested, and the drive from Boston to Durham is less annoying than is the drive from NYC to Durham).
Autumn in Connecticut is beautiful, so you might want to spend a couple of extra days exploring, hiking, or visiting our wonderful historical sites and museums: more on these anon.
The hitch: As I said, the workshop is limited to nine attendees. First come, first served. You’re required to send a $150 deposit when you sign up; the balance, like your homework, is due August 15th. . To sign up or make inquiries, call (860 575 4640) or e-mail me at connie@redstonestudios.com.