Mallard Island - En Plein Aire

The Oberholtzer Foundation invites you to Reconnect with Nature, Enhance Artistic Skills, and Recharge Your Creativity Sketching Nature in Mixed Media with Stephen Henning August 15 - 21, 2004 Ober's Mallard Island (near Ranier, Minnesota) Fee: $250 Photograph of Ober's Mallard Island (on left) Paint with pastels and watercolors directly from nature, then add crayon, colored pencil, markers, metalics and more with popular landscape artist Stephen Henning. Explore your creativity for five days and six nights on this remote island, the wilderness home of Ernest Oberholtzer (Ober). Who was Ober? According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, he was one of the 50 most influential Minnesotans of the 20th Century. Traveling mostly by canoe, he and a Native American companion explored and mapped a vast part of the Canadian interior. An early conservationist, Ober stood up against the powerful industrial interests of the early 20th Century and his efforts saved huge areas of wilderness that would later become Quetico Provincial Park, Voyageurs National Park, Superior National Forest, and Boundary Waters Canoe Area. He also mentored a young Sigurd Olson, who would later become a popular author and voice for the northern wilderness. Ober also was an influential boyhood mentor of Stephen Henning. Mallard Island was Ober's home for over 50 years. Workshop Participants will enjoy: - daily demonstrations by Henning, plus we can learn from each other! - lots of personal attention from the instructor; class size is limited to 8 - thorough discussion of the basics of landscape painting, for beginners as well as experienced artists - beautiful outdoor locations amidst a cluster of islands on Minnesota's wild international border - fellowship and comraderie with other art and nature enthusiasts.
Ober's Main House
Workshop fee includes: - artist fees - shuttle to and from Mallard Island - lodging in one of Mallard Island's rustic (and historic) cabins - use of canoe to explore neighboring islands - access to one of the largest and most unique private libraries in North America. There will be an additional fee (to be determined, but not to exceed $25, for extra materials that will be available to all workshop participants, including: specialty crayons, art markers, colored pencils, etc.). Attendees will share responsibility for meals. Each participant brings his or her own breakfast, and will be asked to provide and prepare one meal during the week for our small group of twelve (12). [Note: 2 caretakers, instructor and spouse, 8 workshop attendees.] Registration Deadline: A nonrefundable deposit of $250 is required by April 15. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Make check payable to the Oberholtzer Foundation, and mail to Mary Swalla Holmes 12480 NW 146th Ave. Madrid, IA 50156. Phone: 515-795-3136 Email: msholm@prairieinet.net Questions? For information on Ober and his island, or about this workshop, contact Stephen Henning at 1-218-948-2288.
	Comments from other workshop attendees: "Stephen is a master painter, colorist, and translator of nature's beauty, and also an enthusiastic instructor. His workshops are inspiring, engaging, and fun!" "He is a gentle and knowledgeable teacher; he pushes us toward the fulfillment of our own potential." "As a beginner I was very nervous at first, but he helped me get into it. I'm looking forward to painting more when I get home." "Henning does a good job attending to the needs of each student. He challenged us and didn't let us stay in a rut or cling to our comfort zone for long."