Join the James Renwick Alliance for Craft and Around Art Spain for a week-long tour of Spain. Enjoy private tours of museums, special studio tours, and visit neighboring villages to learn more about Spanish craft art.

Cancellation policy: If you have to cancel, you must submit your cancellation in writing to admin@jra.org no less than one month before the trip. A portion ($800) of your registration fee is non-refundable.
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ABOUT TRIP ORGANIZER, SOFIA BARROSO
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Sofia Barroro is the President of Around Art, a consulting firm that provides unique and exclusive experiences by introducing travelers to historical and private homes, private art collections, artist studios, and behind-the-scenes museum visits.  Sofia has directed summer programmes for Syracuse University Centre in Spain (1992-2004); was head curator at the March Foundation Contemporary Art Museum in Palma de Mallorca (1995-1997); has directed the ARCO Collectors Programme for eight years and was member of the Board of Friends of ARCO from 2000 to 2006. She was also involved with the Collectors Programme for Art Cologne Palma. Presently on the Board of the Jakober Foundation, Zuloaga Foundation and Anar Foundation. She is the delegate in Spain for the National Museum of Women in the Arts committee. She has been organizing cultural travel since 1984.​

New Mexico Treasures, including Santa Fe, Abiquiu, and Albuquerque. Tour private collections, spend time with studio artists, visit a number of established galleries, and trace the life of prolific artist Georgia O'Keeffe. Enjoy some of the finest cuisine New Mexico offers.

Questions about this trip can be sent to info@jra.org

Included: transportation to all planned events, some meals, all museum entry fees
Not included: transportation to and from New Mexico and during free times​, some meals, lodging
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ARTIST STUDIOS
Artist visits include: 
- The contemporary Cochiti Pueblo ceramic artist Diego Romero
- Blown glass artist Flo Perkins who creates botanical works
- Paper and mixed media artists Gail and Zachara Reike
- Intricate wearable beadwork artist, Claire Kahn
and more!

COLLECTORS HOMES
These days, collections often run to investment portfolios or trophy-hunting accumulations of this season’s must-have objects. However, we will be visiting the homes of at least three dedicated arts supporters, who are connoisseurs, in the old fashioned, admirable sense of the word. 

LOCAL CULTURE
At the Nambe Pueblo, we will visit the home of a well-known potter. Time on our own allows us to explore the Museum of International Folk Art, Spanish Colonial Museum, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture or The Wheelwright Museum. We spend time at the home and studio of Georgia O'Keeffe and see the landscapes that inspired her famous paintings. 
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UNIQUE CULINARY EXPERIENCES
Experience award-winning restaurants that are the cornerstone of the culinary landscape in Santa Fe and learn about the architectural background of some of these striking spaces.
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​​Learn all Houston has to offer with its cultural institutions, public art and more. Visit the premier Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; tour local artist studios; and have exclusive access to the region's top private craft collections.

Questions about this trip can be sent to info@jra.org

Not included: transportation to and from Houston, lodging, some meals

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Meet Executive Director, Perry Price, and enjoy a guided tour of the May exhibition and 4 resident artist studios, followed by High Tea hosted by HCCC.

Collectors Tours
The Houston Center for Craft will be arranging 3 or 4 exclusive private collectors' homes.

The Silos & Sawyer Yards, Arts District Houston
Arts District Houston is a state-recognized cultural district in Houston with one of the highest concentrations of working artists in the United States. We will be visiting the craft artists' studios. 

Glassell School of Art
New gallery and building across from HMFA. Studio and gallery tours.

Museum of Fine Art, Houston
Wander through a private guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, created especially for the JRA. The MFAH is home to some of the country's most revered craft collections including the Helen Drutt English jewelry collection and the collection of past JRA president Mel and Lee Eagle. 

Asian Center
Tour and lunch at one of the best buildings in the city. 

Foelber Gallery Jurying and Farewell Dinner
Foelber Gallery is the only ceramic gallery in Houston. We are jurying an exhibit of Texas ceramists for the JRA visit. They will also have the opportunity to vote for two artist and the prize will be a solo show at the gallery. Foelber has a back yard and will be having an outdoor dinner for the JRA and a tour of the school and firing area.
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TERMS & CONDITIONS

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
All cancellations must be made in writing to the James Renwick Alliance at admin@jra.org. Refunds, less a cancellation fee and the non-refundable JRA contribution, are made if your notification is received at least one month in advance. No refunds will be made after this date except in the case of a medical emergency.

RESPONSIBILITY
Neither the James Renwick Alliance or any of the participating partners accepts liability for any expenses incurred by tour participants in preparing for the tour. We require that all participants be in good health. If you have a medical condition needing special medical attention, you must report it when filling out your application form by sending an email to admin@jra.org. We retain the right to refuse any applicant whose health, in our sole judgment, would negatively affect their full participation in the trip. Regardless of your health condition, we strongly recommend that if your current insurance does not cover medical costs while you are traveling, you insure yourself for the costs of medical care including, but not limited to: medical evacuation, baggage damage or loss, accident, and sickness. While we take every precaution, neither the participating partners, nor the James Renwick Alliance shall be responsible or liable for any loss, death, injury, illness or damage to or loss of property suffered or incurred by any person in connection with this trip.

​Artist studios, galleries and collectors' homes fill this trip to Durham and Raleigh, NC. Visits include the home and studio of ceramic artist Eric Serritella and other private collections, as well as a downtown gallery tour.

Questions about this trip can be sent to info@jra.org

Included: Lodging, lunch on Thursday-Saturday, dinner on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
​Not included: Transportation to and from Durham, breakfast, dinner on Friday
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Sleep at a contemporary art museum: 21c Museum Hotel (hotel is included in your registration fee), with our own private tour of the changing exhibits around every corner. 
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See a bit of the American Tobacco Historic District, where JRACraft member Barbara Lee Smith lives and has her studio. She will show us her large wall pieces – often atmospheric landscapes – and discuss her processes of painting, collaging, and stitching them. 

Be welcomed by collectors Steven Burke and Randy Campbell, who have about 1200 miniature American folk art buildings, featured in the N.Y. Times and a recent documentary.  Also see the impressive collection of JRACraft members Mina L. Levin and Ronald Schwarz. 

Visit the home and studio of JRACraft Distinguished Artist Eric Serritella, where he will explain the techniques involved in his tromp l’oeil clay sculptures.

Other artists we will visit include: 

• Bryant Holsenbeck – environmental artist who makes delightful animals out of discarded materials 
• Barbara McFadyen – exquisite jewelry and book art 
• Theresa Arico – mosaic sculpture and furniture 
• Madonna Phillips – mixed media wall pieces with a shimmering glass surface 
• Sharron Parker – JRACraft member who does handmade felt wall pieces

​Explore the North Carolina Museum of Art, with its Judaic Art collection, a stick installation done by Patrick Dougherty (one of the Renwick’s WONDER artists), Beth Lipman’s Bride piece, and an extensive African Contemporary Art exhibit. 

Wander the halls of Artspace in Raleigh, which will have a contemporary craft show in place, other exhibits, and studios of 35 artists. 

​Enjoy browsing the work at Cedar Creek gallery in Creedmoor, Frank Gallery in Chapel Hill, and the galleries and public art within walking distance of our hotel in downtown Durham.
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**ITINERARY MAY CHANGE**
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Join James Renwick Alliance for Craft, the Society of North American Goldsmiths, and the Baltimore Jewelry Center on a day trip to Baltimore, MD to see distinct collector's homes, tour an artists studio, visit The Walters Art Museum for a tour of the Betty Cooke retrospective led by the artist, and end the day with a private reception and tour at the Baltimore Jewelry Center. 
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Questions about this trip can be sent to info@jra.org

Vaccination and masks will be required.

​Included: Transportation around Baltimore, lunch
***Attendees can leave their cars at 24 Village Square, Baltimore, MD 21210 or drive themselves to each visit​

​HIGHLIGHTS:

• Visit Betty Cooke's shop 
• ​Tour the collection of Vivian Fliegel in the historic Highfield House Condominium building
• Lunch at Gertrude's Chesapeake Kitchen
• Tour the studio of Jill Orlov
• Tour of the Betty Cooke retrospective led by the artist
• ​Tour & reception at Baltimore Jewelry Center featuring visiting artists Everett Hoffman and Adam Atkinson​

This year, in honor of the 40th anniversary of JRACraft and the 25th anniversary of the Center for Craft, we combine our most well-known programs for one celebratory season. Four JRACraft Distinguished Artist Series encore artists will be paired with four emerging artists recognized by the Center for Craft's Windgate-Lamar Fellowship to present a collaborative weekend exploring commonality and materiality. Each weekend will be hosted online and include a virtual Saturday demonstration/studio visit and free Sunday lecture.

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ARTIST DEMONSTRATION / STUDIO VISIT
Saturday, June 11| 1 - 2:30pm
Virtual Zoom event
$25 members | $30 non-members
$85 for all 4 workshops, members only

FREE PUBLIC LECTURE
Sunday, June 12 | 2 - 3:30pm
Virtual Zoom event


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JENNIFER TRASK
Jennifer Trask attended Massachusetts College of Art completing her BFA in Metalsmithing in 1993 and later graduated the State University of NY at New Paltz with an MFA in 1997 and is a full time studio artist. The elaborate objects and sculptures made of found materials like bone, wood, and antlers point to the Dutch tradition of Vanitas and at the same time addressing the traditional practice of isolating examples/ideals of beauty stylization of nature, "in effect a death of the real, the imperfect, the individual."

Examples of Trask’s work can be found in many public collections including the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC; the Museum of Art and Design in New York, NY; CODA Museum, Apeldoorn, Netherlands; Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia. 

SHENEQUA BROOKS
SHENEQUA is an Artpreneur who received her Masters of Design in Fashion, Body, & Garment at School of the Art Institute of Chicago under the mentorship of Nick Cave. Founder of Weave Your Dreams Into Reality Studios LLC, she highlights her gifts, services, knowledge, and shares her stories with the world one thread at a time.

A featured artist for Ties that Bind in American Craft Magazine and the Kansas City Star, she often speaks about her process of weaving synthetic-hair in relationship to the African American hair experience. Notable lectures include the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco, the Surface Design Association, and the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. She was 2014’s Windgate Fellow of the Center for Craft and 2017-2018’s recipient of the inaugural YoungArts Daniel Arsham Fellowship, presented by the Ridinger-McLaughlin Family.

This year, in honor of the 40th anniversary of JRACraft and the 25th anniversary of the Center for Craft, we combine our most well-known programs for one celebratory season. Four JRACraft Distinguished Artist Series encore artists will be paired with four emerging artists recognized by the Center for Craft's Windgate-Lamar Fellowship to present a collaborative weekend exploring commonality and materiality. Each weekend will be hosted online and include a virtual Saturday demonstration/studio visit and free Sunday lecture.


ARTIST DEMONSTRATION / STUDIO VISIT
Saturday, April 9 | 1 - 2:30pm
Virtual Zoom event
$25 members | $30 non-members
$85 for all 4 workshops, members only

FREE PUBLIC LECTURE
Sunday, April 10 | 2 - 3:30pm
Virtual Zoom event

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JOSH SIMPSON
Josh Simpson has been an independent glassblower since 1971. From his studio in the hills of western Massachusetts, Josh Simpson has been fascinated with glass for more than 45 years. An artist whose work has been shown in group and solo exhibitions around the world, his name is synonymous with the beautifully crafted planets he produces. Simpson’s work and color palette are inspired by the sky and its many permutations throughout the day, including his fortuitous chance encounters with the aurora borealis as he adjusts his furnace at odd hours of the night. His work is in the collection of The Corning Museum of Glass and the White House Collection of Crafts.

GEOFFREY BOWTON
Augmenting his previous career methods of metal fabrication and military service, Geoffrey R. Bowton informs his current studio practice by applying the investigation and illustration of his ideas in glass. Combined with the fragility of glass, he creates work that embraces tension between these contradictory materials and multi-faceted experiences—to promote conversation about identity, trauma, damage, repair, and healing. These skills, combined with creative mold making and Pate de Verre casting, transform materials into a visual landscape of the soldier’s life. Geoffrey utilizes mixed media and the power of craft to provide insight, support, and representation of the military-veteran community.