Art and History at St. Marys

St Mary’s Art Center is 45 minutes from Reno, but 134 years in time. This building began its life during the heyday of the Comstock Lode silver rush, opening its doors in 1876. It was a Catholic hospital, then abandoned, but has been reincarnated as an art studio, as it has been since the mid-nineteen sixties.

I first started my workshops in St. Marys in the 1990’s and have been drawn here ever since. The building is beautifully renovated in period decor. The rooms in which workshop attendees reside are throughout the building, the art studio is on the top level with panoramic views of Virginia City and Six Mile Canyon.

The meals are not included in the lodging but we have communal dinners in the two dining areas and huge kitchen, the original wood stove from 1876 is still there, and used sometimes. There are modern facilities so you don’t have to rough it with wood heat or cooking. Usually what happens is we form meal teams and each night one team is responsible for producing the meal. The rest of the time they kick back and enjoy. On Tuesday evening, the day prior to start, I do an enchilada dinner as a welcome to St Mary’s.

This year’s workshop will be about thinking outside the box a bit, as far as watermedia  is concerned. Stretching materials ideas and new formats will be the watchword. Although we can use subjects in the area we are not limited to that. So, more studio work and less being out in the elements. St. Mary’s has always been an exceptional workshop, both intriguing and stimulating.

The combination tuition and lodging package makes this a great deal, very affordable, if you add up what you would spend finding other lodging or food, this becomes extremely attractive.

Tuition and lodging $500. single  $485. with roommate that is registered in class