Art retreat planned for 2004

Less than a year from now Rainy Lake and La Place Rendez-Vous will be inundated with women, at least that’s what Pam Hawley and Linda Lovisa are hoping.
After years of brainstorming, planning and a lot of dreaming the two artisans’ idea of holding a women’s art retreat on the shores of Rainy Lake is finally becoming a reality.
But unlike the famous line from the Kevin Costner flick “Field of Dreams” there’s no guarantee that if they plan it, the women will come.
She and Hawley have spent more than five years mulling over the idea of holding a conference such as this and working out every nuance.
“It isn’t just a fly-by-night idea,” Lovisa said. “Last year, things clicked together.”
The two organizers explained that in the past, there was either a lack of interest or facilities or instructors but now they “have all the ingredients together.”
The retreat, named Rainy Lake Visions: Women’s Retreat, is scheduled to run Aug. 16-20, 2004. Their hope is that by promoting it now, they can attract 100 participants into joint them on the scenic shores of Rainy Lake.
“Essentially it was planned as a women’s retreat,” said Lovisa of the retreat aimed at both promoting the natural beauty of this area and benefiting from it economically as well as rejuvenating the cultural and creative spirit of participants.
“Women now have a different role than they had 30 years ago,” explained Hawley. “They work full time; they work in corporate jobs and have long hours and children and housework and all that going on.”
“If you don’t set time aside [for yourself] and get into that [hectic] routine you eventually burn out,” she continued, adding that eventually they’ll realize there is something missing, “It’s the creative thing.”
They added that they idea of providing relief has been embraced by many large corporations in the last several years.
“We’re looking for people from outside the community,” said Lovisa of whom they’re targeting with the retreat.
The workshop is aimed at attracting the working woman from large centres like Winnipeg, Toronto, Minneapolis and Chicago, rather than those from the district.
The two explain that the retreat is to be a full-week experience. Their fear is locals would want to go home after workshops and for meals, thus missing out on the camaraderie.
Though they won’t turn away any local that is willing to pay the $1,200 price tag for the retreat if you’re interested, just plan on being sequestered for the entire time.
“We wanted them [participants] to buy into the whole week thing [including] staying at the Rendez-Vous,” said Hawley, adding that the group experience is part of the retreat.
“[Locals] can still take the workshops at anytime of year,” added Lovisa.
Essentially the conference is for any woman who needs a little rest and relaxation.
“We’re looking for people who want to expand their ways of thinking and enjoy themselves,” said Lovisa. “It’s about different approaches to thinking and working that into [their lives].”
“We’re trying to attract people who are looking for new experiences and meeting new people,” Hawley added. “Pampering the creative inner self.”
One of the key ideas around the retreat is promoting the natural beauty the area has to offer to people who have never experienced it before. “People in town take it for granted what it’s like here,” said Lovisa. “People come here and can’t believe we live in this beautiful place.
And though it is called an art retreat, it isn’t a big deal if you’ve never picked up a paint brush before or played with potters clay.
“You don’t need an art background,” said Lovisa. “Just spend a week unwinding with a group of other women.
“It’s geared for people who have never done art work,” Lovisa added, saying that the workshops will help bring out those skills in participants and show them they can do it too.
“Anybody can do this stuff,” she continued. “Everybody’s creative, they just don’t know it. I have no doubt they will enjoy themselves.”
The conference will be held exclusively at the Rendezvous Resort. The price tag includes accommodations and meals for six days as well as art materials and field trips.
The retreat schedule will have two workshops per day, guiding guests through the basic techniques of water colour painting, drawing, figure studies, sketching, creative journaling, folk painting, pottery and jewelry making.
“We’re using local artists,” said Lovisa, who will do some instructing. One instructor is from Thunder Bay.
“There will possibly be some yoga or dance,” said Hawley. “Some sort of creative expression.”
Participants will rotate through the workshops from day to day experiencing eight unique artistic and cultural projects.
On one day, a field trip is planned at the Manitou Mounds, including a healing ceremony and traditional native dancers.
“We’ll visit the Manitou Mounds and take advantage of the cultural setting [the district offers],” said Hawley. “And we’ll offer kayaking so they can take advantage of the natural setting.”
They explained that the natural beauty of Rainy Lake and area will be an inspiration to participants and it’s hoped the skills learned might motivate the participants to pursue an artistic talent.
The retreat will also feature a schedule with free time allotted for participants to share experiences, have fun and explore the area, enhancing the economic impact the conference might have on the rest of the community.
“There will be lots of chances for people to mix and mingle and share experiences,” said Hawley. “We’re looking at a week that offers a lot to the participants and it will have a lot of spin-offs to the town.”
She explained that one goal of the retreat is to bolster the economic side of the conference. Participants will be provided with a shuttle service so they can explore the downtown area with their free time.
On the Thursday night there will be an art show featuring art from the workshops open to the community for viewing and the Little Theatre will produce a show for participants as entertainment on the Friday night. Other local entertainment will also be used.
“They’re such a great group,” said Lovisa, “whatever they put on will be great.”
Hawley added that she’d like to see something from the Vagina Monologues.
On the Tuesday evening, a community art fundraiser will be held to raise money to be able to bring artists here for instruction in the future. It will include a meal and motivational speaker for around $50, with a portion going directly to the arts.
Hawley and Lovisa couldn’t confirm the identity of the speaker yet, but are working on a high profile arts supporter.