New workshops offer ?art vacations?

The Fairfield Convention and Visitors Bureau invites artists to ?get their art on? with Fairfield Creates, a series of workshops Sunday through July 31.

Residents and visitors, beginning and experienced artists alike, are encouraged to unleash their creativity with workshops offering a variety of art techniques and mediums including pastel, watercolor, mixed media and fiber. Some of the most talented instructors in the region will lead the classes.

?We like to think of this as the start of art vacations in Fairfield,? said Terry Baker, assistant director of the convention and visitors bureau. ?Taking a few of days out of your routine to explore your creative side can be very therapeutic.?

Learn from Fairfield watercolorist John Preston, and explore pastel techniques with award-winning artist Gin Lammert. Intermediate to advanced quilters will enjoy fabric dyeing and free motion quilting with Wendy Read. Fairfield artist Alicia Carradus will lead a class in linocut printmaking, while Elaine Duncan will teach beginning drawing and collage techniques. Intaglio printmaking will be taught by Kella Maschkau, and Ken Dubin rounds out the instructors with a workshop on framing.

A full schedule of classes is available at www.fairfieldcreates.com. Enrollment is limited and advance registration, done on the website, is required. Classes are recommended for individuals 18 years of age and older.

Fairfield Creates is a partnership between the Fairfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Fairfield Art Association, Teeple-Hanson Gallery and ICON Art Gallery.

For information on the workshops, call the Fairfield Convention and Visitors Bureau at 472-2828.