Virginia Center for the Creative Art

Thin Cities: Underwater Hockey. Ink + gouache on vellum. 9 x 24 in. 2008.

I've been meeting to write this post since I returned from this heavenly place. If you find yourself unable to set aside large amounts of time to develop your creative outpourings due to family and / or work distractions, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA, http://www.vcca.com/) is my recommended solution. I was there from May 14-May 28, and I met so many extraordinary artists, poets, and filmmakers. Email me at jdietrick@gmail.com if you want more information. I highly recommend this residency program.

Creative Capital

I just attended this amazing artist retreat by Creative Capital. You should definitely attend these workshops if you get a chance.
http://pd.creative-capital.org/

The schedule for their upcoming retreats are at http://pd.creative-capital.org/calendar.html. Maybe you can write your state's Division of Cultural Affairs to support your state's artist by inviting Creative Capital to your community. Florida paid for me.

Not only did the workshop expand my professional network, but it also gave me strategies to focus on goal to work more effeciently and be more financially stable. I'm excited to use their techniques.