Brenda Clark, Painter and Instructor at Glen Arbor Arts Center

The Glen Arbor Arts Center venue brings a unique art experience for participants. It showcases our historic rural county through a special venue at Thoreson Farm Campus, within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park Shoreline. The subject matter within Thoreson Farm itself is abundant. As an instructor, I can take the group outside the main art shed to experience a plein air approach or be inside the shed while looking outside upon the old farm. 

Teaching within various art centers diversifies who is reached and choose to partake in my painting workshop. The Arts Center is easy to work with and always has an impressive variety of workshops year-round. I like the assortment of barns, house and landscape within the main venue at Thoreson Farm. It allows me to offer a variety of subject matter and approaches to capturing structures or countryside options. The surprise view above the farm where you see the Manitous Islands over big blue is a bonus. Another bonus is the option to be in Glen Arbor at the center as an alternative workshop space if desired.

Many Arts Center participants have stayed in touch with me. We who have taken the time to stay in touch to this day and continue to bond over our rich connection around painting is a huge success moment for me. It’s truly wonderful to witness excitement and confidence grow in a workshop. I have found success in launching artists to continue their painting endeavors to painting, whether going on to be full-time artists, teachers or just taking the time to paint or support the arts.