Trip Summary
Three day lynx art workshop, under supervision of the academic painter, Karmen Bajec, will take place, from 30th of August to 1st of September. Artwork will be created in the heart of nature, in the forests surrounding Stari trg pri Ložu, living area of the lynx. Participants will learn how to design animal figures and paint motifs from nature, while at the same time experts from LIFE Lynx project team will share their knowledge on lynx conservation issues and challenges of coexistence with large carnivores with the participants.
For one day, participants of the art workshops will join an international festival of folk music, theaters, puppets and other visual arts, the Floating Castle Festival and create their art in the courtyards of the village. Workshop will be completed with an exhibition of the paintings and drawings in the Snežnik Castle.
This tour is part of the LIFE Lynx project, which aims to prevent the extinction of lynx in Slovenia through population reinforcement and long-term conservation activities. This workshop will promote lynx conservation through art, which can help to reach new audiences and facilitate new public dialogue.
What do you need: Art supplies like paintbrushes, sketchbook, painting palette, canvas, folding chair, hiking shoes, sun hat, waterproof sportswear, tick repellent, water bottle.
Highlights: painting in the pristine nature with your tutor, learn about coexistence with large carnivores through your art, large carnivore experts, become part of the international festival and local art exhibition.
Nature friendly practices:
• Staying at the bear friendly accommodation Tourism Jure.
Important
- Duration: 3 days
- Physical difficulty: low
- Suitable for beginners and experienced artists
- Location: Dolenje poljane, Stari trg pri Ložu
Your art tutor, Karmen:
Karmen Bajec, academic painter from Stari trg pri Ložu, will be your tutor through the week. She studied at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana under the mentorship of established prof. Metka Krašovec. She has several experiences in art education with adult and children since 2005. She is qualified for cooperation with disabled person in the field of culture, from 2014 she is working as an assistant of Creative Buroeau Cooperate. Since 2016 she is an artist tutor of »Painting in nature« workshops and enjoys working with people of many interests. People can discover some peace around her relaxed personality, with the goal to get in touch with the hidden wildlife nature. Karmen is approaching different media and genres to the students that wish to fulfill holidays with good-vibes as well as with painting knowledge of animals, landscapes and portraits.
LIFE Lynx project:
LIFE Lynx project strives to save Dinaric lynx population from extinction. Currently, the lynx population in Slovenia is small, isolated and extremely inbred. The project will improve genetic diversity of the population by translocating healthy animals from another population. This art tour was developed within the project to promote conservation of lynx through arts. Part of the revenue generated through this ecotourism product will continue to support nature conservation activities and enrich local livelihoods.
Pictures
Itinerary
Day 1
We meet at 9 am at Tourism Jure, Dolenje Poljane.
9:30 Presentation of the workshop and schedule.
10:00 Lecture by Dr. Miha Krofel with field trip.
14:00 Lunch
15:00 Drawing from observation – from sketch to art composition
19:00 Evening snack
20:00 Presentation of the LIFE Lynx project, watching of the documentary Path of the Lynx, socializing
Day 2
9.00 Breakfast.
10:00 Study drawing, shading and painting of nature, animals, plants. Selection of an image for a painting or a drawing.
12:00 Guided tour by Jure Kordiš with nature interpretation.
13:30 Lunch.
14:00 Painting motifs for an independent artwork. We will be creating art in Kozarišče village where an international Floating castle festival will take place. Let’s talk to the locals about art works.
19:00 Evening snack.
20:00 Socializing.
Day 3
9:00 Breakfast.
10:00 Painting in nature. Learning about painting techniques: how to paint animal fur, wet vegetation using brushes and mixed techniques.
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Completion of the independent work. Specific questions related to painting findings and open debate.
17:00 Closing of the art workshop with the exchange of impressions. Selection of pictures and drawings
for an exhibition in the Snežnik Castle.
19:00 Opening of the exhibition in the Snežnik Castle.
Logistics
The art workshops take place in Dolenje poljane, near the town Stari trg pri Ložu, in the Municipality of Loška Dolina, in the south of Inner Carniola, about 60 km south of Ljubljana. When coming to Loška dolina valley from the north and over the Bloška polica plateau into the medieval Lož, the road leads straight into Stari trg pri Ložu, the administrative center of the municipality. Follow the road to Tourism Jure in Dolenje poljane.