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New Orleans, Louisiana USA
May 14-19, 2023

Folklore & Fairytales
Art, Culture, Adventure Retreat

Join us May 14-19, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana, for
Folklore & Fairytales, an art retreat adventure, hosted by Tracy Buechler,
Be Brave Studio and Theresa Ratcliff, Blue Tulip Designs.

During this retreat each participant will create a Soul Sister, art doll and a fine silver Talisman that will uniquely reflect the creators' personality through color, embellishments and creative story.  Participants will also be treated to a guided city tour, a ghost tour and a riverboat dinner cruise.

The Soul Sister, art dolls, will be constructed and sculpted under the tutelage of Artist Tracy Buechler, Be Brave Studio.  Tracy will guide each participant through the assembly process using Styrofoam forms, paster cloth and paper clay.  Each artist will then use provided paint, ribbon, jewels, sequins and many other decorative items to adorn and give unique character to their creative art doll.
The Talisman will be constructed and refined under the tutelage of Artist Theresa Ratcliff, Blue Tulip Designs.  Theresa will guide each artist in shaping and making a fine silver talisman (charm) for both their Soul Sister and themselves using PMC (Precious Metal Clay) Silver.  Each artist will individualize their personal talisman using provided tools, stamps and cutters, to create a unique charm that can be added to a bracelet or worn on a chain as a necklace.
At the end of the retreat, artists will be led in a creative writing session in which they will name and create a fun, original back story for their Soul Sister and how she came to be part of Folklore & Fairytales.

The guided city and ghost tours are private events that will both entertain and enlighten participants to the rich history and culture that is found nowhere else in the world but New Orleans.  To finish up this unique, creative experience, artists will be treated to a Jazz Dinner Cruise on board the Creole Queen paddle boat along the Mississippi River.

This art adventure will be held at the Hotel Provincial in the French Quarter.  The Hotel Provincial is a boutique hotel located in the quiet 1000 block of historic Rue Chartres, just steps from the famous Ursuline Convent, a 4-minute stroll from Jackson Square and a block away from the French Market.
Hotel Provincial | New Orleans French Quarter Hotel

 

Sunday May 14th

3:00pm - Arrive & Check in

Guests arriving at the Hotel Provincial are met by the secluded courtyard and transported in time to a private world of elegance and serenity.  The restored historic structures surrounding the lobby offer tastefully appointed, oversized guest rooms.

Amenities include the comfort of Sealy Plush mattresses and feather pillows, and the attention to detail is reflected in the soothing hotel color palettes.

Additional in-room conveniences provided include:

 

  • Flat-screen LCD televisions

  • Free wireless internet

  • Mini refrigerators

  • In-room safes

  • Coffee maker

  • Iron/ironing boards

  • Hairdryers

  • Voicemail


​Extra nights lodging before or after the retreat can be booked at additional cost.
4:00pm - Meet & greet with light refreshments

Monday May 15th
8:00am - Breakfast
9:00am - Doll assembly
11:00am - Talisman preparation
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm Continue doll assembly
4:00pm Talisman forming
5:00pm Finished for the day

Tuesday May 16th
8:00am - Breakfast
9:00am - Doll refining
11:00am - Talisman refining
12:30pm - Lunch
2:00pm - City tour
5:00pm - Finish for the day

Wednesday May 17th
8:00am - Breakfast
9:00am - Doll painting
11:00am - Talisman polishing
12:30pm- Lunch
1:30pm - Doll embellishment & details
5:00pm - Finish for the day
9:00pm - City Ghost tour

Thursday May 18th
9:00am - Breakfast
11:00am - Talisman design & beading
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm - Create your Soul Sister story - Creative Writing
2:30pm - Final touches on doll & talisman (if needed)
3:30pm - Finish for the day
6:00pm - Dinner Cruise

Friday May 19th
8:00am - Breakfast
11:00am - Check out






 

The Cost for this Art, Culture, Adventure is $3,500.00 USD
If paid in full before January 1, 2023, you will receive a $300.00 USD discount, paid in full including discount $3,200.00 USD.

Payments can be made in three installments:
First installment is a Deposit of $650.00 USD, due January 1, 2023
Second installment of $1,425.00 USD, due February 1, 2023
Third installment of $1,425.00 USD, due March 1, 2023



Please note that due to the amount of planning and cost that goes into hosting this event, $325.00 USD of the deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.  Please see full cancellation policy before registering 

What is included in the cost of Folklore & Fairytales
Transportation from and to the New Orleans Airport
Lodging for 5 nights (double occupancy) at the Hotel 
Provincial
Light refreshments for the meet & greet (Sunday Afternoon)
Breakfast for 5 days (including Friday before check out)
Lunch for 4 days
Daily refreshments for 4 days
All supplies needed to complete both projects
Project instruction, direction and support
Admission to both scheduled tours
The final dinner on Thursday night (Jazz Dinner Cruise)


What is not included in the cost of Folklore & Fairytales
Airfare and travel expenses, including insurance, to and from New Orleans, LA.
Nightly dinner for 4 days (Sunday - Wednesday) We encourage to explore the city and some of its most wonderful restaurants
Personal expenses incurred outside of the retreat

There is limited space available!!  For registration information, contact Tracy at the Be Brave Studio email tracyb.brave@gmail.com or Theresa at Blue Tulip Designs theresaratcliff@gmail.com


 

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