Rio Chama Pastel Workshop

July 24-28, 2008 – The trip begins with an after dinner get-together Thursday evening at the Abiquiu Inn in Abiquiu (the very heart of Georgia O'Keeffe country) for a cocktail reception and preparatory information from Kevin Gorges, the workshop instructor, and SFAV. You will spend the night at the Inn, eat breakfast early the next day, and depart for the Rio Chama for 4 days and 3 nights on the river. There will be 2-4 hours daily of art instruction, and the rest of the time will be devoted to getting down the river and camping. Experienced guides will prepare all meals. Depending on the desires of the group, you may have the option of floating in an oar-powered raft, paddling in a paddle raft, or paddling your own inflatable kayak.

The cost includes the cocktail party, room and tax, and breakfast at the Abiquiu Inn; all workshop instruction; all camping/boating gear and guide services (the customary tip of $10-15/day for river guides is not included); and a meal before returning to Santa Fe.
TOTAL COST: $1615 | DEPOSIT: $300* | Make Reservation»

Itinerary

July 24: Transfer by Kokopelli van to Abiquiu Inn. Welcome reception, evening (dinner on your own).
July 25: Raft/workshop session
July 26: Lay-over day for two workshop sessions and hiking, same campsite as night before. Lay-over could be next day depending on campsite availability.
July 27: Raft/workshop session
July 28: Raft; take-out late afternoon; drive back to Santa Fe.
Note: The above is for example only; river and weather conditions can affect daily schedules.

The Workshop

Instructor Kevin Gorges will lead you in four workshop sessions, which will focus on different approaches to plein-air pastel journaling. You will explore pastel as a convenient medium for landscape sketching or as a means of gathering information that may be used on more developed works in the studio. Consider the class as a note-taking excursion. We will look at examples of fine landscape painting and drawing that show how nature may be simplified and composed.

The following materials list is finalized. You can download it to use as a checklist for acquiring and packing your art supplies.

Download Art Materials List»

The River Trip

The Wild and Scenic section of the Rio Chama flows through magnificent sculpted sandstone. The 31-mile trip begins at El Vado Dam about 90 miles northwest of Santa Fe in ponderosa pine country. The Chama flows through a 1500-foot deep wilderness canyon that is remote and difficult to access, ensuring that wildlife and birdlife are plentiful and that scenery is unspoiled. The trip is a mixture of mellow floating combined with moderate class II and III rapids.

This trip can be taken in oar powered or paddle rafts. There is also the option of inflatable kayaks or "duckies" for the more adventurous. All camping/boating equipment (tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, PFDs, etc.) and meals are included. You must bring your personal clothing and effects (see list below); optionally, you are welcome to bring your own sleeping bag or other gear.

Recommended Personal Packing List

*Reserve with $300 deposit by June 8. Balance is due no later than June 15 (later reservations accepted on a space-available basis). Prices include applicable taxes, all meals on the river, and all transfers.

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