Week 1: August 2-8, 2026
Week 2: August 9-15, 2026
Since 1966, the Creative Arts Community has provided unique residential workshops at Menucha. Imagine... summer in the Pacific Northwest... a whole week to focus on art, make new friends, continue friendships, take your art to a new level and rejuvenate your spirit ... that's what happens during Creative Arts Community at Menucha.
In two separate, one-week sessions in August, we offer hands-on explorative workshops with a focus on a variety of arts disciplines including painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, jewelry-making, textiles, creative writing, and more! All skill levels are welcome. Must be at least 21 years old to attend. Read our Guidelines to learn more about our program.
Registration will open Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time
2026 Workshops:
Week 1 - August 2-8
Open Studio – Christopher Shotola-Hardt
Paint Me a Story – Mary Josephson
Clay & Colored Slip – Kim Murton
Multi-color Woodcut – Millie Whipplesmith Plank
Jewelry: Enameling on Metal – Debra Carus
Stitch a Story Scroll – Maude Ann May
Shaping Your Memoir – Anndee Hochman
Lines to Abstraction – Lauren Ohlgren
Intuitive Art Practice – Lettie Jane Rennekamp
Explore Cyanotypes – Claudia Hollister
Open Studio – Bonnie Paisley
Floral Painting in Oil – Trish Harding
Experiments in Printmaking – Robynn Smith
Waxed Powder Painting – Corey S. Pressman
Woven Expressions – Angela Riggs
Starting with Stencils – Linda Berkley
The cost to attend is made up of the following fees and depends on your custom selections:
1. Basic Workshop Fee: $385
2. Class Material Fee: Not every class has one, but those that do will be listed on the class description. You'll pay this fee directly to your instructor.
3. Meals: $367 per week. There is no fee for an alternative diet. If you have dietary needs such as food allergies, vegan/vegetarian, etc., please fill out the alternative diet request after registration.
4. Lodging/Site-use fee: The cost for overnight lodging will depend on your selection of accommodations. All Lodging Rates are per person - choosing a double, triple or quadruple occupancy means you are choosing a bed in a room that will accommodate that number of people. Quadruple occupancy will be in rooms that requiring climbing stairs - we do not have quad occupancy rooms that are downstairs.
Lodging Rates for 2026
| Single Occupancy | $1258 |
| Barn Single Occupancy | $858 |
| Double Occupancy | $629 |
| Triple Occupancy | $420 |
| Quadruple Occupancy (requires climbing stairs) | $314 |
Example of total cost to attend at each lodging option:
| Single | Barn Single | Double Occupancy | Triple Occupancy | Quadruple Occupancy | |
| Workshop ** | $385 | $385 | $385 | $385 | $385 |
| Meals | $367 | $367 | $367 | $367 | $367 |
| Lodging/Site-use fee | $1258 | $858 | $629 | $420 | $314 |
| Total Cost to Attend | $2010 | $1610 | $1381 | $1172 | $1066 |
**The Workshop fee does not include any materials fee - this fee will be paid directly to the instructor. Not all classes have a materials fee.
At the time of registration you will have a choice to pay each choice in full, or to pay half now, half on July 14. Our registration system will automatically schedule the remaining payment for July 14, 2026.
Creative Arts Community is proud to offer two awards and a scholarship program to provide financial assistance towards the cost of our annual residential workshops.
Applications open January 2, 2026. The deadline to apply is February 8, 2026. Notification of awards will be by February 16, 2026.
Optional Purchase Protection
For those concerned with cancellations because of illness or other last minute "life happens", you may want to consider the Optional Purchase Protection that is available only during registration (but not after). You can read the terms and conditions of the Purchase Protection (which is not administered by Menucha) here. This is an additional cost (8.5% of total cost) and is not administered by Menucha.
Cancellation Policy for Menucha Sponsored On-site Programs:
| More than 90 days out | 100% refunded less $50 administration fee |
| 46-90 days out | 65% refunded |
| 30-45 days out | 50% refunded |
| Less than 30 days out* | No refund available* |
There are no refunds once the program has started.
If the event is canceled, the full deposit will be refunded.
Please confirm the status of your program before making travel arrangements. Menucha is not responsible for participants’ travel expenses and/or arrangements.
Cancellation
If a registration is canceled 90+ days out, it results in a full refund minus a $50 handling fee. If 46-90 days out, it results in a 65% refund. If 30-45 days out, it results in a 50% refund. If fewer than 30 days out, there is no refund available. For those concerned with cancellations because of covid, you may want to consider the Optional Purchase Protection that is available only during registration (but not after). This is an additional cost (8.5% of total cost) and is not administered by Menucha.
Alcohol and Tobacco
Smoking is restricted to specific areas. Smokers are asked to be very aware of potential fire danger in the windy Columbia Gorge. Discreet consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted in opaque mugs only. Students may not drink during class or in the dining room.
Visitors
Visitors are not allowed until Friday evening for the Art Walk. You can have a friend or family member help you unpack and pack up at week’s end. As always, you may invite your friends and family to the Friday Night walkabout to see the artwork.
Mobility
We welcome people of all abilities, but please note, the Creative Arts Community does not have the capacity to help participants that need assistance to get around campus. Due to its rustic nature, independent mobility skills are required to navigate the grounds at Menucha. Contract Lori (lori@menucha.org) if you have concerns about mobility on the Menucha grounds.
Workshops
• Studio workshop hours are 9:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm plus a short orientation Sunday evening.
• Instructors are officially off “work” at 4:00 pm and the studios remain open for use 24 hours each day.
• Cell phones must be on silent during class and calls taken outside of the classroom.
• Guests are not permitted in the studio during class hours, but everyone is encouraged to visit the other studios during non-instruction time.
• Students range in age from early twenties to folks in their (70+) and abilities vary from beginners to professional artists. Students must be 21 to attend.
• Student class size is typically between 6 and 12.
• Most campers find that they are free to take artistic risks at Menucha.
• The environment is very supportive and liberating, often focusing on learning a process with less emphasis on the finished product.
Disclaimer of Responsibility
CAC & Menucha reserves the right to not accept applications from students with a history of unsatisfactory behavior. By registering for this program the camp member specifically waives any and all claims of action against CAC and its staff for damages, loss, injury, accident, or death due to negligence on the part of any organization or employee providing services included in the Creative Arts Community Workshops.
Your health matters to Creative Arts Community. We’d like to serve you better and keep you safer by implementing these procedures for painting indoors in an enclosed studio space.
• Gamsol is the ONLY solvent allowed in the studio. It is very different from any other thinner, including the odorless thinners of any sort.
• All containers (other than water) need to be covered during class, and at night.
• Palettes need to be covered when not in use. Yes, oil paint gives off fumes and odor.
• In enclosed studio spaces, such as Ballard and the Greenhouse, mediums are offensive and should be avoided. Even Galkyd and Galkyd lite will off gas. Walnut oil (Graham sells a good product), and Gamblin Solvent Free Gels are good options, covered when not in use.
• Students are encouraged to use oil (such as safflower) for brush cleaning during the painting session. Lanolin soap will be available at designated clean up stations.
• Used rags, paper towels need to be placed in a fireproof container at the end of the day.
• Please be prepared to pack out your used Gamsol, solvent free medium, and oil at the end of the week.
Please ask your teacher if you need additional supplies such as nitrile gloves, protective masks, lanolin soap or have additional concerns about safety.
CHECK-IN TIMES BOTH WEEKS
Sunday 2:00 – 4:00 pm
When unloading, please do not block other arriving campers. You can have a friend or family member help you unpack and pack up at week’s end.
CHECK-OUT TIME BOTH WEEKS
You must be out of your room and studio on Saturday by 11:00 am.
CLASSES
Hours are 9-12 noon and 1:00-4:00pm Monday through Friday.
Studios are open 24 hours, but instructors are off-duty at 4pm.
MEALS
Meals are served at 8am,12 noon & 6pm. Some alternate dietary requests may be accommodated by submitting Menucha's alternate dietary request form after registration has been confirmed. A link to the form will be provided upon registration confirmation. Most buildings have refrigerators and coffee/tea makers.
EVENING ACTIVITIES
Evening programs are held each night in Wright Hall after dinner. We will hold a studio walk around on each Friday night. You are welcome to invite family and friends.
Stuff You'll Want to Bring to Camp
Clothes: weather varies between very hot, pleasant and quite cold or rainy. Think layers, casual clothes, a warm jacket or sweater for chilly evenings. Bring attire for the swimming pool and for walking. Some classes are messy and aprons and “paint clothes” are wise.
Your art to sell in the Bill Murray Pop Up Gallery with an inventory sheet and price tags – you can find the inventory sheet on the Pop Up Gallery page.
Bring a prize for Bingo Night (Something fun.) Wrapped in brown paper.
We have traded our usual Hat Night for Glam Night! Join us however you wish to interpret this idea –clothes, makeup, hair, hat, or all of it!
Beads, charms and anything you can put on a string for the craft table to prepare necklaces for glam night. No glitter!
Shampoo and soap
Hangers
Flashlight, such as one that clamps on to your bunk bed
Work light
Insect repellent/ Benadryl spray (bug bite itch stuff)
Sunblock
Alarm clock
Ear plugs and eye mask for light sleepers
Musical instruments
Cards, board games and books
Camera
Chargers
Journal and sketchbook
Fan (can be useful if it’s a hot summer)
An extension cord can also be helpful
Water bottle and electrolyte drinks
The supply list for your workshop. You can copy it from the CAC website on the page with your class description. Please keep in mind that whatever you bring, you should be prepared to take it home or dispose of it properly. This includes supplies you end up not using, beverage bottles and cans.
Share and sell your own artwork with others during your workshop week!
Learn about the Pop-up Gallery