Field Trips Aren't Just For Kids!

Field trips aren't just for grownups.

This is the time of the year when field trips are typically scheduled for school students. But whoever said field trips are just for kids? Big kids (like me) enjoy an educational trip as well. We like to call them Mini Daycations! Allowing a little time for something extra special can really bring worlds of muse and inspiration to your painting spirit.

Mary Ann Beckwith, who has recently visited Cheap Joe’s to teach an art workshop; got together with a group of her students and took a trip to Lenoir, NC and I decided to tag along. This Daycation destination was a quick trip off the mountain to the Caldwell Arts Council Offices and Gallery. Their location is in a charming two-story farmhouse located in the middle of town. With unique sculptures in the front yard and a flower garden in the back, this was the perfect place to host a very special exhibit. In fact, out of all the big cities that were possible across the nation, the modest Caldwell Arts Council Gallery was chosen to exhibit the National Watercolor Society 2010 Traveling show. One of only five locations that will display these prized works of art throughout the year.

Judy Rider

Well, this honor was not given without some influence within the show. Two of the area’s local artists, Judy Rider, and Kate Worm, both from Hickory, North Carolina, were being honored in the traveling show as well as showpieces in the upstairs gallery. What a proud moment for these two very talented and accomplished artists. We were very proud of them both. Judy and Kate were in great company with such names as Sally Lambrecht, also of NC, George James, Alvaro Castagnet, Keiko Tanabe and many more from across the nation. As it would happen, Judy Rider was a student in Mary Ann’s class and was an excellent tour guide during our visit. She walked us through all of the rooms and even took time to pose with her entry. Judy reminisced about the day she came down to her breakfast room, finding the early morning sunshine streaming across the floor, creating such a glowing composition that she had to grab her camera to capture the inspiration! What a treat! This is the kind of experience artists everywhere can relate to. A real WOW moment, when you just know what you have to paint!

We were all very fortunate to have had the opportunity to make the trip as it was the last day of the exhibit. The show was being packed up the following day to be shipped off to the next hosting location. Judy proudly said her goodbyes to her painting, knowing thousands of people across the nation would also have the chance to appreciate her wonderful artwork. Keep a watchful eye on your local museums and gallery schedules; for you never know when you’ll get the opportunity to see some really unique and wonderful works of art that might just be traveling through your town. Everyone needs a Daycation every now and then; a field trip of sorts to lift your spirits and excite your passion for art. Now, I say… ”Go forth, all ye full of passion and create!” Have a Happy Daycation Day!

Judy and the girls

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