Creative Arts Community at Menucha

Will there be a Pop-Up Gallery this year? 

Yes!

 

What is the Pop-Up Gallery and who can submit items?

All Arts at Menucha participants are welcome to offer their work for sale in the Pop-Up Gallery held on the main floor of Wright Hall—off the main hall and in the library. Items that sell best are under $100 and easy to transport home.

 

Who sets the price? 

As always, you set the price. Attach a removable price label with your 3 initials as a code and the price to each item you with to sell. If your work is 2-d and ready to hang, please put the price tag on the edge where it will be visible when hanging.

 

Who does the selling?

CAC will handle gallery display and all sales.

 

When do I bring and pick up items for the gallery?

Inventory is accepted on Sunday and needs to be picked up on Friday, after the evening’s studio visits or by 9:00am on Saturday. Items not picked up are boxed and left with the Menucha staff.

 

Is there a commission? How do I get paid?

By the end of August checks are mailed to participants with CAC keeping a 30% commission. Funds raised are used for both scholarships and operating expenses. In addition to works of art, participants may also sell art making materials and books about art.

 

Do I need to let you know I’ll be bringing items?

Yes, before July 29, please fill out an “Intent to Sell” form, the link is below. Knowing what types of work you’re bringing, an approximate quantity, any props you have for displaying your work and when your work will be offered – first week, second week or both weeks, is much appreciated. After filling out the digital “Intent to Sell” form, you will get confirmation and further directions.

2023 Intent to Sell Submission Form (this is a Google Form) Link is in Reminder Email #2

 

Do you accept In-Kind donations? 

We are very happy to accept donations that can be included in a raffle or auction to further support CAC. These include works of art by you or others, art making supplies or books relating to art, art making, poetry, etc. If you have items to donate contact Connie Cheifetz, (email address is in Reminder Email #2) by July 29th. Thank you!

 

I have another question about the Gallery, who should I contact? 

Maureen O’Hara, her email is in Reminder Email #2

Sunday (July 30 for Week 1, August 6 for Week 2)

2pm - 4pm Arrival and Check In

Arrive at Menucha between 2-4pm.

Check in just outside Wright Hall for your room and studio locations. When you check in, you will pick up your name badge, which is your entry into all CAC events. Then you’ll have time to unpack, move your car to the parking lot, and walk around the beautiful grounds before the Meet & Greet at 5:30pm. You are welcome to have a friend or family member help you unpack and get situated.

4:30pm New Student Tour

This is an opportunity for first time participants to learn about the facility and tour the grounds. We’ll meet on the patio behind Wright Hall.

5:00pm Welcome & Menucha Orientation

Everyone meets in Wright Hall for a welcome and orientation with the Menucha Staff.

5:30pm Meet & Greet

Join us for a Meet & Greet Sunday on the patio behind Wright Hall. It’s a chance to see everyone that is attending this year, greet returning friends and meet new friends. We’ll serve light snacks & beverages.

6pm: Dinner

7pm: General Orientation

Meet in Wright Hall to meet our camp coordinator, board members and others that can provide help. You’ll get a review of the week’s guidelines and schedule. After the orientation, you will briefly meet with your instructor and fellow students. Any lab fees will be paid directly to instructors.

Monday- Friday Daily Schedule

• 8am: Breakfast
• 9am-12pm: Morning workshop session
• 12pm: Lunch
• 1-4pm: Afternoon workshop session
• 4-6pm: Free time (Pool is open!)
• 6pm: Dinner
• 7pm: Evening program (details to come)
• After 8pm: Free Time

 

Menucha’s kitchen staff will provide delicious, nutritious food that will delight you and keep you fueled for all the creativity.

 

Are meals being served family-style?

Yes. This means you should arrive at the time a meal starts because volunteer meal servers will bring the food in serving bowls and plates to the table so people may fill their own plates, we do not serve meals buffet style.

It will be good to continue what’s always been a good practice – wash your hands well before you come to meals!

 

What if I filled out an Alternate Dietary Form? Do I do anything different?

If you have dietary needs you shared with us on the form, you’ll wait a few minutes until the serving bowls and plates have gone to the tables, then go to the kitchen window, tell them your name and they'll give you your meal. You can get your water/tea/coffee while you wait.

IF you have NOT filled out and Alternate Diet Request form, please do so as soon as possible if you registered requesting an alternate dietary plan. Alternate Dietary Request

 

Can we sit on the terrace?

Yes. There are small number of outside chairs and tables with umbrellas. Clear your table as you would if you were sitting inside.

 

We used to sign up to be Volunteer Meal Servers, are we doing that this year?

Yes! We’ll have the sign-up sheets available at registration and in Wright Hall.

 

What’s a Volunteer Meal Server?

Someone who arrives in the dining hall 10 minutes before the start of a meal. These people will set the table with the provided silverware and plates, bring the dishes of food to their table, ensure people at their table know where water/tea/coffee are located, and make sure the table gets bussed after the meal.

 

Coffee, tea, water?

Yes! We'll have them at meals. Coffee stations in the buildings will be available for use. Menucha staff will bring water coolers to outdoor studios.

 

What to bring?

Linens and towel are provided by Menucha in all rooms.

Menucha also provides blankets that can be used outside, and pool towels. Both blankets and pool towels are found in the entry to the Office building. 

• Clothes: It’s summer, there’s not much air-conditioning. weather varies between very hot, pleasant, chilly or rainy. Think layers, casual clothes, a warm jacket or sweater. Bring attire for the tennis court, swimming pool and for walking. Comfortable shoes are a must! Some classes are messy and aprons and “paint clothes” are wise.
• Refillable water bottle - Be sure to tag it with your name
• Shampoo and soap
• Hangers
• Flashlight
• Clamp-On work light
• Insect repellent/ bug bite anti-itch gel
• Sunblock
• Alarm clock
• Ear plugs and eye mask for light sleepers
• Musical instruments
• Cards, board games and books
• Camera and chargers
• Journal and sketchbook
• Fan - Be sure to tag it with your name
• An extension cord can also be helpful. Be sure to tag it with your name.
• Bring a prize for Bingo Night (Something silly is good.)
• The supplies listed for your workshop. You can print it from the CAC website on the page with your class description. Lab fees will be paid directly to your instructor.

Please keep in mind that whatever you bring, you should be prepared to take it home or dispose of it properly. This includes supplies you end up not using, beverage bottles and cans. Menucha does have some recycle bins at Wright Hall.

Creative Arts at Menucha is not just about the class time. The friendships formed are priceless. Those happen during class, over meals, and in the evenings.

 

What happens in the evenings?

After dinner, there are presentations by teachers at 7pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

After the evening program, about 8pm, folks sing, play scrabble and card games, engage in warm conversation, stargaze, or go back to the studios to work. Gathering places include Wright Hall, the patio behind Wright Hall, and Ballard Porch.

Quiet time begins at 10pm.

 

That's not all the evenings, what happens on Wednesday?

Wednesday is what we call "Glam Night" Come to dinner and evening festivities all glammed up. We will have some accessories to help you complete your ensemble.

Then at 7pm we'll play Bingo. If you choose to play, please bring a prize to add to the selections.

And we'll end the evening with a movie at 8:30pm (which one? ...to be announced at camp)

 

What about Friday evening?

Friday we'll celebrate everyone's creativity by walking around to see each studio's work. Only student work is displayed. Beginning at around 7 pm students and guests walk an informal tour of the studios to celebrate the week and the work accomplished. Family/friend guests can come for this evening, just let us know they are coming. Please invite them to come at 7pm for the Walk About, but not for dinner.

 

What buildings are being used for housing this year?

Participants will be staying in Wright Hall, Ballard Hall, Boyd Hall, Beam House, and the Barn. You can see pictures of these buildings on our website.

 

When will I find out what room I'm in?

Room assignments are based on requests that were made known and types of lodging chosen. We'll let you know what room you are in at check-in on Sunday.

 

Do I have to bring a sleeping bag or my own linens or towels?

No, sheets and towels are provided for all participants. If you are "pillow-picky" you might want to bring your own favorite pillow.

 

Can my friend/family come see me during camp?

Sunday through Thursday, no. Please do not invite guests at mealtimes nor for the evening presentations in Wright Hall. As always, there are no accommodations for unregistered overnight guests.

 

Do I have to wear a mask?

Please gauge your own comfort level and needs -wear one if you would like to and would feel more comfortable. Many of the studios are outdoors, and all of them will have the windows open.

 

Will there be a Pop-up gallery this year?

Yes, if you missed it, see email #2. Please respond using the form by July 29 if you wish to participate.

What do I need to remember about workshop instructors and spaces?

• Studio workshop hours are 9:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm plus a short orientation Sunday evening.
• Instructors are officially off “work” at 4:00 pm and the studios remain open for use 24 hours each day.
• Cell phones must be on silent during class and calls taken outside of the classroom.
• Guests are not permitted in the studio during class hours, but everyone is encouraged to visit the other studios during non-instruction time.
• Students range in age from early twenties to folks in their (70+) and abilities vary from beginners to professional artists.
• The learning environment is supportive and liberating, often focusing on learning a process with less emphasis on the finished product and thus allowing most students to feel comfortable taking artistic risks.

 

Where are the class supply lists?

If you need the supply list for your class, they are on this page (scroll down) and they are below the descriptions on the Creative Arts Community website. Click to your class and scroll down to the end of the class description where you will find the link to the list. If you need assistance let me know.

 

How do I pay the materials fee?

Please pay your instructor directly. Not sure how much your materials fee is? Here's the list:

• Open Studio with Ruth Armitage  - none
• Experiential Drawing with Linda Berkley - $10
• Spill Your Guts with Leanne Grabel - $15
• Discovering Composition with Christopher Shotola-Hardt - $25
• Jewelry with Natural Materials with Junko Iijima – $45
• Text on Textiles with Bonnie Meltzer - $12
• Personal Narrative with Alison O’Donoghue - none
• Printmaking with Dawn Endean - $50
• Watercolor Portraits with Trish Harding - none
• Open Studio with Sandy Roumagoux - none
• Contemporary Collage with Dayna Collins - $25
• Clay Vessels with Jennifer Hill - $30
• Natural Encounters with Sondra Holtzman - $45

 

 

Where are the studios? 

• The Greenhouse
• Ballard Hall Meeting Room
• The Grove (on the volleyball court under the big oak trees)
• Upper Barn
• Lower Barn
• Beam House Garage
• Beam House Living Room

Some things to remember while you are here:

The Menucha grounds include a swimming pool, tennis court, wooded and paved trails and Gorge viewpoints for sunrise and sunsets. There is a grand piano and we encourage you to bring your own musical instruments as well. Wi-Fi is available in Wright, Ballard, Boyd, Beam, McCall but not in the Barn or The Grove studio.

 

Oops! I forgot my toothbrush/paste/something small?

As part of our renovations of Wright Hall, and the staffing changes, we have closed our Menucha gift shop for the time being. We do have small toiletry type items available in the office should you find you have forgotten something.

 

Lori, I enjoy a glass of wine, can I bring some?

Yes. Menucha neither encourages nor prohibits alcohol. We do ask your cooperation in being discreet, caring for those among us who are in recovery, by using an opaque cup rather than bottle or can. Alcohol is not permitted in the dining hall, nor on the grounds. Please enjoy it within the building(s) (or the porch of said building) your group is staying in.

 

Is smoking permitted?

No smoking is allowed inside any Menucha building, nor within 10 feet of doors and windows. Smokers are asked to be very aware of potential fire danger in the windy Columbia Gorge. Menucha is a marijuana-free campus.

 

Coffee, Tea, Mugs, Water?

Conversations are better over a cup of coffee, tea, or water which is why Menucha has such a great collection of mugs. Each building will have a place to find your favorite mug, fill it with a beverage of your choice. You'll have to make the coffee, or pick your tea, but they'll be there!

 

Is there a refrigerator I can use?

Yes, in each building there is one. You'll want to label your items so others will know to whom it belongs.

 

Lori, I have an electric vehicle, can I charge it while I’m there? 

Right now the answer to that question is no. We are not equipped to allow electric vehicle charging – we’ve had several breakers tripped so far this summer when guests try to do this. There are several charging stations in Troutdale which are within 10 miles of Menucha. The Outlet Mall at exit 17, and the Walgreens parking lot at Stark St and 257th are the closest charging stations.