Spas in the News
Guests Hone Artistic Skills
at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa's New Artist's Cottage - Local Artists
Teach Eclectic Arts & Crafts Like Book Binding, Weaving, Haiku,
and Cartooning
OJAI, CA (July 17, 2006) - Ojai
Valley Inn & Spa recently unveiled a hacienda-style Artist's
Cottage as the new centerpiece for its expanded arts program. As one
of the few real art studios at any resort, Spa Ojai combines its world-class
spa experience with programs of artistic self-discovery.
Spa Ojai will soon add an apothecary to the arts program
for mixing hand made lotions, scrubs and creams.
"The popularity of our Short Courses in Living Better
introduced last year-coupled with the resurgence of fiber arts like
knitting-prompted us to broaden our program with classes in a wide variety
of media," said managing director Thad Hyland. "Entering its
9th year, the success of our art program is based on our promise to
impart newly found skills, confidence and creativity to those who claim
little or no art experience, as well as accommodate and inspire accomplished
artists."
Spa Ojai's art program includes more than 30 classes,
ranging from weaving, cartooning, graphite and drawing, to journaling,
printmaking, and wreath-making. Sixteen local artisans teach guests
valuable techniques while allowing for the freedom of individual self-expression.
Cost of the daily 1 ½ - 2 hour art classes is $50.00 per session.
Spa Ojai's 1,200 square foot Artist's Cottage is nestled
beneath a centuries-old oak tree, along a shaded fairway adjacent to
Spa Ojai. A paseo-style tiled patio encircles the cottage allowing for
plein air painting. Expansive windows and doors open the interiors to
the outdoors creating a versatile workspace without walls. The cottage
houses old-fashioned artist's easels, art books for inspiration, high-quality
art supplies, and plenty of raw materials to work with.
Ojai Artist's Cottage Class Highlights
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WEAVING: "Purses with Punch" uses cardboard
looms and castoffs like torn grocery bags, leather strips, typewriter
keys, costume jewelry and feathers to create one-of-a-kind purses
for fashionistas of all ages.
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BOOK ARTS: The ancient craft of Japanese bookbinding
teaches how to stitch together hand-made papers to create a personal
journal.
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FIBER ARTS: A local fiber artist shows how to work
on a pin loom to weave beads, coins or shells into fanciful bracelets
or necklaces.
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HAIKU: An Ojai poet teaches the art of Haiku - the
expression of beauty, love or joy in a mere 17 words.
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CARTOONING: A cartoonist encourages students to draw
characters and develop outlandish plot lines to tell their own life's
story.
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BATIK: Participants will learn the art of Batik, the
traditional process of applying hot liquid wax to fabric to create
resist designs.
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ART OF STORYTELLING: A professional actor teaches
the art of storytelling and monologue.
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JOURNALING: Listen to your inner voice and explore
what it's telling you. Invoke the writer and dreamer within. Draw
upon life, experience, art and the imagination. Play with words and
weave wonderful tales.
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WREATH MAKING: Using flowers and herbs grown in the
resort's gardens, guests will create a beautiful wreath to take home
and display in the kitchen or use in recipes!
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SOAPMAKING: Soap in beautiful colors, fragrant with
herbs and essential oils, hand-crafted by you using a deceptively
simple technique.
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MANDALA: A healing arts practitioner and yoga instructor
uses the Mandala to teach relaxation and reflection. Guests are taught
to consider seasonal, multi-cultural, astrological or numeric themes
to create their own personalized circular symbol of wholeness.
Since 1923, vacationing guests have sought the tranquil
pleasures of the historic Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, located on 220
tree-shaded acres 35 miles south of Santa Barbara. Affirmed by its many
prestigious awards and fresh from a $70 million renovation, the legendary
Inn is one of the nation's unique hidden treasures. Reservations: 1-800-422-6524
(OJAI). Internet: http://www.ojairesort.com
$50-
