Native American Arts Festival at Idyllwild

[OLChemist]

Has anyone attended the Native Americans Arts Festival at the Idyllwild Arts Academy in Idyllwild, CA? I was wondering if anyone here had gone or taken classes there?

Native American Arts Festival

[Joe's Dad]

At $725 a class??????

[Spiritflight]

At $725 a class??????

That's about the rent I pay for two month in a bedsit.

[OLChemist]

At $725 a class??????

Yeah, it's pricy But, silver and glass have always been expensive arts to pursue.

That's actually about normal for 40hrs of intensive professional silversmithing instruction in CA. Particularly with artists of the caliber of those who are teaching the two silver classes. The going rate in the DFW area for that kind of workshop, with that level of instruction and hours, is around $950. Penland, Haystack, Arrowmont, Peter's Valley, etc run in the $550-$750 range too.

[Joe's Dad]

So what is the estimated cost including airfare, car rental, hotel and food?

[Joe's Dad]

I forgot to mention they do look like they have high quality instructors.

[AmigoKumeyaay]

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[AmigoKumeyaay]

Summertime hotel rates are high up on top of the mountain, IF you can find a vacancy.

It's about 25 to 30 miles down a twisty mountain road to town of Hemet, CA where plenty of reasonable hotels, big and small types.

If you fly into Palm Springs, rent a car, it's about an hour driving the Pines to Palms HWY 74 over to Idyllwyld.

Or fly into Ontario Airport, drive about an hour to Morongo Resort Casino.

From Morongo, it's about an hour drive up the mountain to Idyllwyld on the Super Twisty HWY 243. Very twisty

I will put this event on my list to visit this year, I like the Cahuilla lands ( Idyllwyld ).

[OLChemist]

So what is the estimated cost including airfare, car rental, hotel and food?

On campus room and board is between $550-$750. I don't know about airfare.


The program intrigues me. I've taken classes at other craft schools. Yes, they've been a chunk of change. But, no more than a nice week long vacation at a resort or theme park.

They have been incredible experiences. For me, it was an investment in finding *my* voice in silver. In my youth, I was trained and mentored by Navajo and Comanche smiths. So much I learned was borrowed forms and techniques. There isn't a strong metalworking vocabulary in the Northern Plains. Coming back as a mature woman and getting professional instruction, allowed me to begin to realize the kind of pieces I dreamt about. I learned so much from the instructors and the professional 'smiths in my classes. Being in a creative community -- albeit a non-Native one -- with artists working in many media was magical.

While every class draws different kinds of students, in many ways the school sets the overall tone for the interaction. As an undergrad minoring in studio art in an Appalachian college, the mountain culture rooted schools of Penland and Arrowmont were part of the fabric of the artistic community. They had fostered many of the visiting artists and instructors that I trained under. So, when I took classes at Arrowmont, I had an inkling of what to expect. Idyllwild and that area of CA are unfamiliar to me. I look at this place and have no idea what the larger experience would be like should I take a class there. Hence, I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with the flavor of that community.

[Joe's Dad]

Well...you'll be right next door the the Outlet Malls. lol. I just bought a copper inlay silver piece for my sister at the 29 Palms powwow. Wanting to get a silver roach spreader (which is different that the silverware you speak of).

California is pretty that time of year. Heck, California is pretty ANY time of year. Morongo is not too far from there...and...according to the commercials...you can make your money back gambling! Hope you get in the class.

[subeeds]

I would love to take that glass class-and the inlay one, too. :) Keep up posted, OLChemist, if you go.

[OLChemist]

Now glass blowing will set you back, LOL.

You've got to be more of a team player than I for glass blowing. I took a three hour workshop -- made a paperweight -- at the glass blowing school around the corner from me. I don't suppose it is impossible to work alone, but it would be really hard.

[subeeds]

I would be happy to be able just to do some lampworking or fusing. Playing with fire and melting stuff without going to jail sounds like so much fun. LOL!

[OLChemist]

Playing with fire and melting stuff without going to jail sounds like so much fun. LOL!

I know. I've been using a propane/air rig for years, because of insurance concerns it can be kept in a storage locker in my backyard. But, I covet a Silver-Smith or Handi-Heet acetylene/air torch. MORE BTU's! *insert Tim the Toolman Taylor grunting noises*

My cousin uses a Hot Head with MAPP for doing beads with COE 104 glass. (I don't think you can do boro with it.) She's made custom twists and stringers in COE 96 glass for fusing with it. They aren't too expensive or too space consuming.

[subeeds]

I know. I've been using a propane/air rig for years, because of insurance concerns it can be kept in a storage locker in my backyard. But, I covet a Silver-Smith or Handi-Heet acetylene/air torch. MORE BTU's! *insert Tim the Toolman Taylor grunting noises*

My cousin uses a Hot Head with MAPP for doing beads with COE 104 glass. (I don't think you can do boro with it.) She's made custom twists and stringers in COE 96 glass for fusing with it. They aren't too expensive or too space consuming.

Oooh, boro. I hung out on a lampwork forum a while back and learned a lot just from reading their posts. The more BTU's the better!!!!