Workshops are an investment. Participants set aside time, money, work schedules and family duties to attend. New ideas and techniques are explored. Skills are honed, materials explored, friends are made and creative energy fills the air. Workshops should be a wonderful and enriching experience for everyone who attends.
I’ve been teaching workshops 20+ years and I've learned a lot along the way. Let me share my thoughts and experience with you.
Workshop Skill Level
(Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
Be honest with yourself about your skill level. You’ll avoid disappointments. It’s not possible for a teacher to bridge a lack of skill and experience in the short time we have together. Skill will be achieved by the amount of time you spend outside the workshop sketching and painting.
I do my best to give everyone equal time. Don’t expect a teacher to be your private instructor in a workshop. Don’t expect participants to help you. They came to be immersed in the workshop experience, not to be your teacher. If you’re struggling speak to me privately.
Socializing
Workshops are a social event for many, but not for all. Be courteous and keep talking to a minimum as well as volume. You have opportunities to visit with each other before, at breaks, lunch time and after class.If you're very sensitive to noise or talking bring ear phones to block out noise or listen to your music.
Come Prepared and Ready to Learn
Arrive on time and be mentally prepared.
Turn off your cell phone in the classroom. If you must talk on the phone (family emergency…) take it outside. This includes lunch time.
......
Bring what you need but not your entire studio.
Set up your watercolor palette with paint before the workshop.
Pre-cut your watercolor paper.
Photography, Video & Audio
All teachers have guidelines about photography in the classroom. Is it okay for you to photograph or video their demos? Photograph paintings that are for sale? I allow students to photograph my demos, but not paintings I bring for sale. NO Video or Audio is allowed. I make my wishes known the first day of the workshop. It's a uncomfortable situation when I have to stop a demo to ask someone to stop taking a video. Respect your instructors wishes and expect them to respect yours.
Morning Set Up
Give me time in the morning to prepare for the day. I come in early in to set up for the day, not to socialize. I'm often asked, “Can I have just a minute?” I'm happy to answer questions during the day but the morning is devoted to preparing for the day. Give me 20-30 minutes to set up and I will give you an entire day of undivided attention and instruction.
Give me time in the morning to prepare for the day. I come in early in to set up for the day, not to socialize. I'm often asked, “Can I have just a minute?” I'm happy to answer questions during the day but the morning is devoted to preparing for the day. Give me 20-30 minutes to set up and I will give you an entire day of undivided attention and instruction.
Lunch
I enjoy eating lunch and socializing with workshop participants. It's fun to learn about you, hear your stories, experience, thoughts, families...
I enjoy eating lunch and socializing with workshop participants. It's fun to learn about you, hear your stories, experience, thoughts, families...
Lunch time isn't a good time to ask me to review your portfolios, sketchbooks or view paintings on your phone. It's time to eat and recharge.
In closing I’d like to say, Workshops should be a magical experience. Come prepared and with realistic expectations of me. I'll do my best to guide, encourage and instill my knowledge.
Happy Painting!
Brenda
Thank you so much for sharing this perspective Brenda. You hit each "nail on the head" perfectly. This is great enlightening advice for attendees of any creative workshops. We love our students to pieces and we strive to provide a memorable and cherished experience. As a fellow instructor, I applaud and appreciate your putting this into a clear thought. See you next year!
ReplyDeleteJoanne, Thank you for your support on this topic. I worried about coming across controlling. The response has been overwhelming positive. Brenda
DeleteI agree with this totally. I’ve taken classes where there’s too much talking and it’s distracting to the other students and the instructor.
DeleteI've begun instructing classes and workshops myself, and I can relate to these guidelines for making the experience most beneficial for all involved. Especially about giving the teacher setup time and recharge time at lunch. I've already had the experience of showing up early to set up and early-arriving students seeking my attention. It's natural and I can understand it, but I want to be properly prepared mentally and logistically. How to handle it gracefully...that's an art unto itself. And yes, as an introvert, it takes a lot of energy for me to teach (being new at teaching is also a factor) and the recharge time at lunch is so helpful.
ReplyDeleteStacy,
DeleteExactly!! How to say I need alone time to prepare or recharge is a tricky situation. Glad you and I are are the same page...I'm not alone!
Brenda
Brenda, you are a wonderful workshop presenter, and definitely deliver everything you promise! What a joy to work with you this summer at Cheap Joe's in Boone, NC. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBrenda gives everyone a great workshop experience, I attended a workshop of hers in Boone a couple of years ago and was inspired by her. Thanks for the suggestions Brenda on giving an instructor space and time to recharge, I will keep this in mind for future workshops.
ReplyDeleteElaine,
DeleteThank you for your kind and understanding words!
Happy Sketching! Brenda
Thanks for this perspective, Brenda. I have recently started instructing watercolor classes for beginners and I find the un-said expectation that somehow I as the instructor will bridge the skill or lack thereof in the class magically is stressful! You said it beautifully that practice and diligence outside the class will turn the page on this one! And it's true! Thats how I have progressed in my practice! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGlad to be of help! We all perform better when we know what's expected of us 😊
DeleteBrenda, you did a wonderful job explaining to everyone what the perfect workshop should be. I wish every workshop participant could see this. I have taken many a class that has had some or all of these things happen, I wish I would of had teachers like you......
ReplyDeleteBless your heart 💕Thank you!
DeleteWhat a helpful post, Brenda. Expectations of students need to be realistic, many should find your words wise and encouraging. I adored the workshop of yours I took a couple years ago, it was wonderful and you have set the bar high. I also appreciate the reminder to respect the teacher's prep time and recharging breaks. I hope all your future workshop attendees realize what a treasure you are and love their experience as much as I did. Keeping my fingers crossed that I will get to do another class with you one day. :-)
ReplyDeleteKatie,
DeleteThank you for your sweet words. Thankfully most participants understand. It's the few and far between that need the reminder.
Brenda such wonderful tips that I hope I remember when I take a future workshop. Have a super day.
ReplyDeleteHaving realistic expectations is smart 😊
DeleteI would add that some instructors travel through various time zones- be aware of their possible exhaustion at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteYes! That’s a good point.
DeleteYour guidelines come from lots of experience! Do you share these perspectives with your students before each workshop gets going?
ReplyDeleteYes. I recently decided to include it as a link in my workshop registration and/or supply list
ReplyDeleteYour comments sound as though you've had some bad experiences. I think though the way it's worded sounds quite angry and if you sent that as a pre workshop link it might be off putting. I have never found your writing in your blog to be this way so I was surprised. Laura .
ReplyDeleteLaura,
DeleteNot every topic is one I enjoy writing...this is one. But it needed to be said all the same. I labored over the wording a long time not wanting to offend but voice realistic expectations of me and workshop participants. It's unfortunate you felt it was angry... That was not how it was written.
Brenda
Not angry....just matter of fact, which unfortunately is sometimes needed for those whom "getting the hint" doesn't come easy. Then the class becomes more pleasant for all--instructor and other classmates alike. I've often taught or taken classes that were monopolized by people whose neediness threatened to overwhelm the experience for everyone. If the situation doesn't get nipped in the bud or prevented beforehand with a hand-out like yours, it can become difficult to recover the class. Doesn't happen often, but enough so that preventive care is needed, just in case. Thanks for this!
DeleteI appreciate your input. You words show experience and wisdom on a topic that is hard to address without being thought of as angry or controlling... I am simply trying to set the grounds rules for a pleasant and rewarding experience for all who participate.
DeleteThank you!
Brenda
This is very well said, as someone who has been involved in hosting or attending multiple workshops, I think you set some very good and reasonable guidelines. A possible addition: Your instructor and / or classmates may be somewhat chemically sensitive. Please refrain from wearing strong perfumes or colognes that could trigger allergies or asthma and negatively impact the environment for others.
ReplyDeleteYes, Brenda, teacher's time is very valuable! Thank you for writing this. I was wondering if you are planning any abroad workshops for the next year? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Iryna,
DeleteThank you for your positive comment!
Yes I am returning to Europe next year...Tuscany October 2018. You can find details on my website under “Workshops” www.swensonsart.net
Brenda