Summertime's a Bevy of Creative Souls at duCret

While most people fight their way thru summer induced traffic to a mobbed Jersey shore in attempt to recuperate from a slumped economy, artists and musicians at duCret have found a less crowded haven in Open Studio's every Tues, Wed and Thursday evening....sans the long road trip. You see, artists have long ago figured out ways to connect with nature that doesn't include fighting mobs. Sure, everybody loves the shore, and that doesn mean that artists don't love the negative ions too! But they're also enriching themselves in nature too, via Plein Air painting at local ponds or nature trails...OR... they're listening to sweet music on the Open Studio floors as they peacefully paint and sketch in a creative atmostphere of other artists, who've all discovered that relaxation can also come by giving permission back to one's self - to actually BE creative.

Model Katie Poses on 6/21, 6/28 and
7/5 at 'Portrait' Open Studio

When an individual's dream has been squashed out by cutbacks, job losses and closed art enrichment programs, finding duCret is like finding the lost pieces of the soul again! Rebirthing at duCret is actually occurring, one day at a time. And the regenerative spirit-energy people are culling back to themselves via one night of creativity, helps to make the weekday grind of survival, just alittle bit more bearable too. After all - where else can one go to find inner peace, constructive progress and the rebuilding of lost dreams all for $15.00 a night? The duCret Open Studio Commmunity Program currently has running every Tues, Wed and Thursday evening, a variety of Open Studio's, and each one is so different in nature, that there is literally something for everyone. That includes children and teens because every summer, duCret hosts a Summer Art Camp for our planet's young apiring artists. Whole families are finding a new way to stay cohesive and supportive of one another in Open Studio. Musicians are connecting with artists. Kindred spirits are finding one another. Families are re-uniting thru a love of art. After all...artistic genes do tend to run down the DNA lines and it's actually quite fun to find daughters encouraging their Mom's to start painting again!

Musicians & Artists - A Perfect Blend

If you're seeking to restart a lost dream, restore a frazzled mind, reconnect a splintered family or just want to feel the insiration of others, duCret IS everything a community should be. It's extremely affordable, there's ZERO emotional baggage because that's all left at the door when people come in. Inside one finds peace, laughter, happiness and a slice of Heaven on Earth. And not surprisingly, careers are jump started, art collections are in progress and opportunities are an endless commodity. All one has to do at Open Studio....is grab their old painbox, a sketch pad, some spare change and SHOW UP! We guarantee that by the time you leave your first Open Studio, you'll feel as if you've simply known us forever. The gift of creating creative communities such as this is that so much of what we share with one another is done by silent exchange. One can feel the 'good' vibe once one steps one the floor!  

TUES EVE: 6pm - 9 pm "Portrait & Anything Goes" Open Studio. Live musicians play mellow tunes and sing to inspire artists. Here you can paint, draw or sculpt a live still (clothed & costumed) model, or paint the moving musicians or you can bring in your own unfinished artwork to work on. Models are booked usually three weeks in a row to allow completion of a painting and pose for 20 minutes at a clip. The mood is relaxing, upbeat and artists are encouraged to mingle during breaktime. Beginners to pros all welcome. Fee: $15.00 per / $10.00 duCret students and alumni.

WED EVE - 7pm - 9:30pm "Figure Open Studio". A live nude model poses for five minutes at a clip giving artists the opportunity to fast sketch the full human figure and work on developing skills with regards to all aspects of the human anatomy. Based on classical and legendary art history, the honor of working with a nude form allows a maturity of artristy to unfold. Set to mellow music, this environment is quieter in nature, yet ever inspiring and welcoming of all newcomers. (This Open Studio is drawing only.) Fee: $15.00 per / $10.00 duCret students and alumni.

THURS EVE - 6pm - 8pm "Takumi & Pottery Wheel Open Studio". Remember the movie 'Ghost' with Demi M. and Patrick S? Always wanted to try the pottery wheel? It's SO much fun! Put your hands in clay dug straight up from Mother Earth, and learn how to shape her into something beautiful on the wheel. Enhance your experience with the flavor of Japan's ceramic history shared by our moderator, Simon, a Japan trained ceramics artist. Glaze and fire Mother's clay into editable pottery or plates. That's right - you could even make a dog bowl for your pets to drink from! Fee: $20.00 per w/($50.00 one-time clay/materials fee).


And while you're here this summer, pick up a Summer Art Workshop Catalog too. Or peruse through part of our Summer Catalog on our Open Studio Blog For starting in July there are over 35 very affordable Summer Art Workshops to choose from, that could ultimately one day, enable you to make that 'dream' career shift you always dreamed of!