renewingwkshp Dresses_056_1Trade River Retreat Center
Near Grantsburg, NW Wisconsin
Assignment/Response Workshop
with Douglas Beasley 
September 24-27, 2015

This workshop is custom designed in response to each of those in this very small group. It is a unique opportunity to examine your own creative process, develop ways to deepen your self-expression and find new paths for creative growth. The focus is on creative renewal, expanded vision and developing a sense of photographic purpose. With Doug’s guidance, helping each other to unlock blockages and avoid creative sabotage will be encouraged. We will also explore the notion of what it means to be lost or stuck and how this fertile ground can be used to explore who you are as an artist, what your artwork is about and how you can use this new information to move your career or artistic direction forward in a more direct or intentional way. Our inspiration will be sparked by a balance of conversation, photography, writing exercises, photo demos, critiques, shared readings, poetry and personal reflection. Numerous photographic exercises and assignments, chosen for our specific group, will be custom planned to unlock creativity, with much individual attention given.

There will also be time to enjoy the river, take a wood-fired sauna, or walk in the woods, as downtime may also be necessary to recharge but most of our time will be devoted to strengthening our creative process. Fun, laughter, serendipity, good food and camaraderie are to be expected.

This workshop is held at Doug’s cabin, The Trade River Retreat Center in NW Wisconsin, 20 miles North of St Croix Falls and 7 miles South of Grantsburg. It is a beautiful hour and half drive to this very private North woods setting on the Trade River. Delicious, healthy meals will be prepared for you by our own chef from fresh organic or locally-sourced ingredients and served in a casual, relaxed setting. The cabin has modern amenities such as a full bathroom with hot and cold running water and a modern kitchen but preserves a cabin-like atmosphere with a natural comfortable interior. The extensive grounds, surrounded by woods, are kept in a natural state with many Japanese Garden touches providing numerous photo opportunities. The shallow river has a strong current, nice sand bottom and is a great place for creating photographs. Everything at the Retreat Center is designed to encourage and enhance creativity.

Arrive between 4 and 6 pm on Thursday. Our workshop starts with a very casual dinner at 6 pm on Thursday night. The rest of the evening will be spent getting to know each other and sharing photos brought from home. Friday morning we start in on photo exercises and assignments. The workshop ends at 4 pm on Sunday. If you are flying in, the closest airport is MSP (Minneapolis/St Paul, MN). We can help arrange car-pooling or even pick you up from the airport, so no car rental is necessary.

Who should attend: Open to all levels of experience with a good working knowledge of camera operation but best for those looking to expand their creativity and vision, rather than to increase their technical abilities. Must play well with others.

Student testimonials from this workshop:
“I am always impressed with how you are able to bring out the creativity in people and help photographers move to the next level with themselves and their work. While you teach, you are so completely yourself — hard working, focused, creative as well as silly, relaxed and intuitive. You are so good at going with the flow, giving complete attention to each person when their turn comes up.” – Rebecca Pavlenko, Saint Paul, MN
More Testimonials

“This highly personalized workshop allowed me time and space to rediscover my artistic compass. I will be forever grateful for the acceptance and insights I gained.” — Margaret Grosspietsch, Minneapolis, MN

“Just wanted to thank you for your insight, inspiration and instruction! I love the way you put so much of your soul into your work and your teaching methods! Thanks so much!” – Mary Hendricks, Mora, MN

“My thanks to all who attended, each of us had things to contribute and things to learn. I feel my vision has grown because of this experience. I am more confident of my ability, and can see new possibilities of where to go with this Art form. Special thanks to Doug Beasley. A kinder, gentler instructor/guide could not be imagined. Doug’s Zen like philosophy and lifestyle is an inspiration.” – Jef Murphy, Portland, OR

“This last weekend was an answer to prayer! To put the intention out there and it comes truly amazes me.  Thank you for the safe and warm environment you created.  Thank you for sharing yourself.” –Tracy Frederick, Owatonna, MN

“I wish to thank you dearly for sharing your gentle spirit we experienced throughout the workshop. Not only did that week help my ability for stillness in photography but overflowed into my everyday living. Thank you for that.” – Marti Corn, graphic designer and photographer, Houston, TX

“Came home smelling like a bon fire and a BIG shift from ‘I take pictures’ TO ‘I am an artist’. I can ‘fix’ the bon fire smell (tho really don’t want to). I don’t need to change anything about the ‘shift’ to artist. Thank you for being a huge part in making that shift happen.” – Roberta Roth. Minneapolis, MN

“I can’t tell you how much this did for me, really made me feel alive again.  Forget the photography, it was a great experience in terms of my overall well-being.” – Blake Martin, Philadelphia, PA

“Your workshop is life changing to me. I am already planning on attending your Zen and the Art of Photography in Sept. You are such an inspiration and you do such a great job with choosing the right poems – words of depth and soul searching. The flow of assignments building on to each other and pushing us to stretch were incredible. You are continuing to master the art of growth for others and I very much appreciate your wisdom and experience.” – Gigi Johnson, Coos Bay, OR  

“I find myself taking photographs that perhaps I never would have taken before. Emotional content has improved. The freedom to fail and courage to create are as strong now as in the first days of picking up a camera. NEW JUICES FLOW! I have more patience behind the ground glass, if I can’t feel it I shouldn’t shoot it, the emulsion is becoming my best friend. I wonder where it will lead me and try to remain open as possible to the journey.” – Brian Droege, Minneapolis, MN

“I am hanging on to the new skills and way of thinking that you have instilled in us. Some of it I think will stay with me forever.” – David Pitzer, Portland, OR

“I feel like my work has really catapulted to a new level, and my energy and creative flow are so much smoother.” – Annie Frantzeskos, Eugene, OR

See some student photography from this and other Vision Quest workshops

See some of Doug’s images from the Trade River Retreat Center

Location: Vision Quest’s Trade River Retreat Center, near Grantsburg, WI

Dates:  September 24-27, 2015
Starts with 6:30 PM dinner on Thursday September 24                                                Ends Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM

Class Limit: Only 5 students!

Workshop Fee: $625.00 Includes lodging at the Trade River Retreat Center and delicious home-cooked meals All food will be organic and/or locally sourced and healthy. Vegetarian options available.

Deposit: $200

PayPal also accepted. Account is under ‘doug@douglasbeasley.com’

Renewing Your Creative Spirit

  • Deposit required for workshop registration. For additional security send last 4 digits of credit card with expiration date in a separate following email. If you want to submit registration form by mail: Print out this page, fill in the form and mail with your payment payable to: Vision Quest Photo Workshops, 2370 Hendon Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108-1453. You can also fax this form with your credit card information to 651.644.2122. Questions or late registration, call Beasley Photography, 651.644.1400. Directions and list of what to bring will be sent following receipt of deposit. A portion of proceeds goes towards environmental preservation. View our Payment/Cancellation Policy (as a PDF).

 

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