SCAD!

This post is dedicated to my fun week at the  SCAD Summer Educator Forum.  I wanted to document my adventures in Savannah, but also give a peek at the program in case you are an art teacher that has stumbled upon this post that may want to go but maybe you weren't sure what to expect.

Would I reccomment SCAR Summer Educator Forum? 100% YASSSSSSSS!

while  
Honestly, I have been wanting to attend this program for a while.  The main deterrent for me was always money as I knew I would be paying everything out of pocket. This past fall, when I was at the FAEA conference, I passed the SCAD booth in the vendor hall per usual and got some info from the table.  I saw that there was a $100 off coupon on the marketing...okayyyyy.  Maybe that was a sign?

When I got back to my hotel room I saw that one of the classes being offered was FASHION ILLUSTRATION!  That was definitely a sign.  When I returned from conference I registered for the SEF- and I am so glad that I did. 

​If you are 'always on a budget' like me let me assure you that this really is a great value.  For the cost of registration your lodging is included.  Now, it ain't the Hilton folks- it's a dorm, but it sure better than the dorm rooms I knew back in the day!  You also get ten meals at the dining hall (which is right next door...many food options, and it's good!)  They also had an opening and closing reception with drinks (!!) and passed hors d'oeuvres and I gotta say- it was pretty fancy.  There are afternoon and evening activity options that add to the value of the experience (both monetarily and overall).  Materials are included for your two workshops.  Literally, you could just show up and everything you need will be there.  Oh, and transportation while you are there is taken care of- and believe me, you will appreciate those moments in the AC...Savannah in the summer is hottttttttt!

A view of the dorm at Boundary Village. It is basically a four-bedroom apartment, each room has a door with a separate key. There is a shared kitchen and living room and two bathrooms with a shared double sink area.

(Left) I was worried there wouldn't be a shower mat or curtain- there was. I actually brought two small rugs from the Dollar Tree to put in front of the sinks. (Middle) The bed is a Twin XL so either pay for the linens from housing or bring some...and bring a nice thick blanket! The AC works great, and if you like to bury yourself in a blanket in a cold room then you will be in heaven. And believe me- you are going to want it to be cold. (Right) Pic from my room after I got settled in a bit. I planned it where I would get there early enough to unpack, shower and take a NAP before any planned events.

​That first day is really just getting there and getting moved in.  They had a general meeting for everyone at the art museum with a really inspirational speaker and then a reception in the lobby area.  I headed out after with my roommates Jen and Heather to get pizza.  We made sure to get back and get some rest for our first full day.

Up a little late, not too bad...gotta work on my daily art

​Day 1- Monday

Optional yoga class (I made a Kroger run because I forgot some things...if you do choose to do the class buy some gnat spray, my roomies said the gnats were in full effect), didn't go to breakfast because of the aforementioned Kroger run, hopped on the NICE COOL BUS and it was off to my first workshop selection- fashion illustration!

Now let me tell you, I brought SO MANY MSC ART SUPPLIES WITH ME.  But let me also say- you really do NOT need to.  They literally give you what you need.  I didn't believe it, but they really do.  We only had three people in our 4BR unit, so I laid out all of the supplies I brought so my roomies could have access to them as they wanted, which that was fun, but if you are flying or just don't want to bring a ton of stuff- don't, you'll be fine.

The only thing that I needed for my first day in the fashion illustration workshop was exactly what SCAD/Lara provided; a large sketch pad, a kneaded eraser and a pencil.  Perfect.  I was so excited about this workshop- it was the reason that I signed up for the SEF in the first place.  I felt pretty okay about my skills, I have probably made at least five hundred or more fashion illustrations over the years...but ya'll, it's all self taught.  I never had a formal class in fashion illustration.  I have just applied what I knew from my own drawing and figure drawing classes in college, from books and tutorials and from my own aesthetic to drawing fashion and accessories.  I know that I have spent hours upon hours pouring over fashion magazines and watching Project Runway, sketching what I see...but I definitely still had a major 'impostor syndrome' moment or two...or three...

It was tough for me to go from just jumping in a intuitively drawing to trying to actually fit the proper proportion for a proper croquis.  I know that I can take artistic license and add my own exaggeration and flair to the figures, but I was trying my best to do it the right way. I gotta tell you, I was feeling a little doubtful.  But Lara is an amazing instructor and by the end of class I felt less discouraged and more excited about what I still could learn to improve my work.

The class was from 9-1 with a break...I definitely wished it was longer.  The bus came to pick us up, dropped us off at the dorms and then it was up to us to use our time for lunch, etc.  That particular day the dining hall was REALLY busy and I felt overwhelmed...so if you go pay attention to the hours, you don't have to go at the busiest time.  Also, there is a little door on the exterior that leads to a convenient store, you can use your meal voucher for up to three items.  

Day 2- Tuesday

 
For my second workshop option I chose the Leather Bag class with Angela Bacskocky.  I had NO previous experience working with leather but I enjoy hand sewing and accessories so I figured it would be a good workshop for me...and I was right.

Highlights of the day...getting' kicked out of our assigned building because of all the hammering (or 're-assigned' for the next class..you can't use those mallets quietly, just ain't possible), meeting Melissa in person, beginning my leather bag...and tea at the Gryphon!  I had no idea what the Gryphon was and I almost didn't sign up...but it was the BEST!  If you go- sign up for this activity.  Better yet, wear a fun hat and some white gloves- it's super fun and fancy.

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Day 3- Wednesday
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Back to my fashion illustration class. They switched us to another classroom upstairs in the fashion building and it was PERFECT.  Huge tables, sewing machines lining the walls, big windows/natural light, display areas, dress forms, a platform for the model surrounded by easels AND an assortment of clothes for her to wear for the poses.  Today I definitely felt much more confident because I felt I could be a little looser and play a bit more.  I can tell you one thing- I forgot how intense it is to stand at that easel and sketch, definitely felt it in my shoulder but it was well worth it!

Later that night after lunch (and I can't remember if that was the day that Jen and I went to Blicks...?) The buses picked us up to head over to Tybee Island for dinner.  They had a nice area set aside for us on the pier with catered food.  If you are reading and you go to SCAD for the SEF here's a tip, definitely buy one of those gnat sprays and bring it with you...and make sure that you walk to the end of the pier and also out onto the beach, it's really calming and will give you a few minutes to quietly reflect on how lucky you are to have this experience.

Go ahead, TRY to imagine a better space- I'll wait.

A view from the Tybee Pier.

Day 4- Thursday
The final day!
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Where did the time go?  Seriously, I blinked and the week was already almost over.  On the last day it was back to making my leather bag with Angela.  They relocated us t the textiles building which was great because we got a chance to see another beautiful space...but no one was really hammering anything on the second day so we wouldn't have bothered anyone anyway!  Oh well...

Long story short, instead of finishing my other strap I finished the one and learned how to do the final stitching and then turned my attention to embellishing the unfinished bag with some scraps I brought in, determined to get that part complete.  I totally did!  Did my hands hurt?  YES.  Ouch.  But- it felt great to know that I made that leather bag from scratch with my own two hands...which really did hurt, did I mention that?

After that final workshop I spent time by myself walking around downtown Savannah, checking out the squares, wandering in shops and just doing whatever I wanted at my own pace.  I even took myself out for tacos #TreatYoSelf

That night was our final event, each person had a small piece in the show.  Food, drinks, a dj, cool space...and then it was time to get packed up (and work on my daily art, of course)

Friday-Time to head back to Florida
​...and plan my next trip back to SCAD for another Summer Educator Forum!
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So that's my time at SCAD.


Would I go again?  Absolutely.

Would I recommend it you another art teacher?  You bet.

Do I want to go to LaCoste and or the Hong Kong trips...also yes!

Were my cats happy to see me?  Yes!  They even helped me unpack!

​CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THE SCAD SUMMER EDUCATOR FORUM!