What if…?
“Maybe we should talk about a retreat.”
It was an offhand comment between a painter and a writer at social event. We were drinking wine, laughing, and painting little wooden hearts. Maybe it was the wine or the hearts or the laughter (because, if nothing else, we are really good at laughing). Whatever it was, the idea stuck and, a couple of weeks later, we found ourselves (now drinking tea) asking the question: What if?
‘What if’ is such a magical question! (Perhaps it is also the question where all art begins?) For us, the question began to multiply: What if, for a week, we brought a bunch of creators from across different art forms into a shared space free of the hurly burly of everyday life? What if we shared our work and our work spaces for that time? What if we talked about our artistic processes and struggles and triumphs? What if we even put our hands and hearts and minds together and created a collaborative work that crossed our artistic boundaries?
The Grove Creative Collective is the child of these questions. By the same token, we design each of our creative retreats to be its own unique artistic community and, as such, a unique attempt to answer those same questions.
And, yes, this is where we double down on the whole “Grove” metaphor, because, well, we think it fits our purpose. In short, we believe creativity is enriched by the symbiotic relationships that develop when you step out of the monoculture of your own artform and create collaborative, diverse communities of artistic practice, each of which becomes its own ecosystem.
Finally, and maybe most importantly, we think communities like this are a whole lot of fun and, if nothing else, we love having fun with other interesting people.
If this sounds like the kind of artistic community that you want to experience, then one of our creative retreats may be for you! We invite you to learn more!
Who Are We, Anyway?
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Lisa Metzgar
Writer, master of spreadsheets, lover of popcorn and ice cream but not together
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Why do you create art? To bring shape to the chaos of the universe—and also to add a bit of chaos into things that have too much shape.
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Where are you most at home that isn’t your home? Outside.
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What is your go-to “guilty pleasure” song? “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan. But I don’t feel any guilt about it.
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When do you feel most courageous? When I do something hard that I have resisted for a long time. Also while skiing through the trees.
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What’s a word in the English language that you love? “Bugaboo.”
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Who are three of your heroes? Ruth Bader Ginsburg, all three of my children (yeah, I know that’s four…).
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Where do you find inspiration? In the broad overlap of human joy and sorrow and in the complexity of our relationships with other creatures, both human and not.
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What is your favorite outdoor activity?Skiing, camping, backpacking. (And yes, I really can count, but I like to bend rules.)
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When you were a child, what job did you think you would have when you grew up? Horse trainer, extraordinaire!
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Jenny Kruckeberg
Photographer, bibliophile, trail hiker with a penchant for getting lost, wannabe improvisational chef
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Why do you create art? To wonder, to notice, to ask questions, to explore, to imagine, to slow down, to pay attention
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Where are you most at home that isn’t your home? In, on, or near the ocean; in libraries and bookstores
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What is your personal “hype” song? “Feeling Good,” by Nina Simone
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When do you feel most courageous? When I share the things that I have created.
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What’s a word in the English language that you love? unfurl
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Who are three of your heroes? A sample from a long, long list: (1) family: my mom; (2) friend: Rosanna; (3) artist: Maira Kalman
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Where do you find inspiration? at student talent shows, in a forest, in conversation, in the pages of books
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What is your favorite outdoor activity? hiking, kayaking (lakes, though maybe rivers someday?), swimming in the ocean
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When you were a child, what job did you think you would have when you grew up? A veterinarian or a poet or both
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Catherine Giglio
Painter; color nerd; red thread weaver; dog, plant and cacao/chocolate obsessed (in that order … most of the time)
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Why do you create art? for peace, understanding and the love of getting lost (and found) in the process
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Where are you most at home that isn’t your home? Beaches of all kinds
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What is your personal “hype” song? “Tusk,” by Fleetwood Mac
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When do you feel most courageous? Giving an artist talk or any public speaking
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What’s a word in the English language that you love? Equanimity
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Who are three of your heroes?
1. Currently, Jose’ Andres for his creativity, his humanity and his ability to ground himself and reach at the same time.
2. Hospice caregivers and nurses
3. My favorite red threads
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Where do you find inspiration? Travel, color, memories and a good horizon line
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What is your favorite outdoor activity? Beach combing… yes, I live in Colorado.
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When you were a child, what job did you think you would have when you grew up? A dancer for the Joffrey Ballet Company