Working in Vernacular Architecture:
The Olson House

August 31 - September 6, 2008
Maine Media Workshops, Rockport, Maine

The Olson House in Cushing Maine is classic vernacular architecture: an American farmhouse expanded and changed over its many years of being lived in. Between 1939-1968 its occupants, Christina and her brother Alvaro, as well as the house itself became the focus of a large body of work by Andrew Wyeth. His drawings and paintings of the house, its environs, and its owners capture what many of us to think of as the quintessential Maine. The house was donated to the Farnsworth Art Museum in 1991 and is now open for tours from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.

Since 1991, students from the Workshops have been allowed occasionally to visit and photograph within the house. Every class that I have taken to the Olson House has always asked for another opportunity to photograph inside. This workshop will provide just that opportunity. Twice a day for the whole week we will have access to the interior of this structure in both morning and afternoon light. We will be able to photograph the exterior of the property during the time the building is open to the public.

During the workshop the Olson House will be the subject and focus of the class assignments. This is a rare opportunity for us to use this location as the subject, as a studio and as the backdrop for an intensive week of work. We will be able to examine an idea, make preliminary photographs and craft our way to a unique portfolio of work. Utilizing inspiration from the work of Andrew Wyeth and other artists who have worked in this location, each participant will explore their own creativity through landscape, portrait, architecture, still life and abstract assignments. The purpose of this workshop is for each student to create their individual portfolio of photographs, which utilizes their personal vision of and response to this location. Although final prints will not be made during the time, it is the focus of the workshop that students will return home with the images they need to create a final portfolio.

All formats, film and digital are welcome in this workshop. All levels of experience are welcome, although it is expected that you will be familiar with your camera and film requirements. Whether you have been photographing for years or are new to the art form, this is a workshop that will challenge how you work, how you think and how you see. I hope you will join me for this unique opportunity to explore this extraordinary environment.

Workshop Fee: TBA, www.theworkshops.com
Register at: registration@theworkshops.com