I just got the class book for the ANG seminar in Baltimore in August. I will never again complain about the cost of classes at CATS. Taking classes at ANG could easily run you $500-$1,000. Plus, if you want to avoid the $180/night hotel, there's a commuter charge - you have to pay $80 if you don't stay at least 2 nights in the convention hotel. I've been to CATS a lot of times, and found every class and the merchandise mart to be great. Are the ANG classes worth the cost? A four day class can't be 4 days of lecture/instruction. I assume you spend most of the time working on the project, and getting help when needed. SueW
Actually, a four day class is indeed four days of lecture and instruction, and they are very full days. Most four day classes are very complex, with lots to learn. I have never taken a 4-day class that I thought should be shorter, but I have taken several 2-day classes that I wished were longer. These classes usually go into great detail with both techniques and their place in the design. If you have never been to EGA or ANG, I recommend you do so at least once. It's worth it!
Pat > I just got the class book for the ANG seminar in Baltimore in August.
I've been to a few of the ANG seminars, and with the exception of 1 class thought they were well worth it. The pricing is packages for numbers of days - as in 1 day,5 days, etc. You have to read the brochure carefully, and you could get on the ANG discussion list to inquire about classes from any particular teachers that are interesting you.
ANG is pretty serious about the qualifications, etc for teachers at National. It takes people several tries, and demonstrated experience working up the ladder from local teaching, regional, etc to get into the National Seminar - I'd assume it's the same as at EGA.
The ANG seminars tend to cover a wide variety of techniques, and it's not about selling at an affiliated sales expo - which is part of the difference.
Going to the classes there - most of it is learning the techniques, so usually it's not getting the project finished, but getting a taste of all the techniques, with instruction, and help rather than a marathon to get the project stitched. There are 24 hour stitching lounges, and people doing stitching around.
My personal experience - the first time I took classes every day. After that - it was too much, so I took 1 4 day class, a studio class for 2 days, and a couple of shorter classes - having the studio class was more relaxed. And I definitely had at least 1 totally free day. Personally - I don't do "project" classes to just do a cute thing anymore - but I do classes for something different, or a technique I want to learn, or an instructor whom I'd like to take a class from, etc. And I did the teaching and judging classes from them as I'd been thinking of going into the teaching certification program.
WRT the commuter thing - a lot of conferences do that. They pretty much have to in order to cover the hotel arrangements, etc - working out costs of the services that the hotels provide - set-ups, water - break areas, etc - vs what the hotel is expecting in revenue from rooms. I haven't decided what I'm doing - probably will go and stay in the hotel for a couple of nights - just depends on the new job, etc.
Very true. My first 4 Day class - there was homework! You had to get some more work done to be ready for the next day's work. And some classes have pre-work. Think of those as stitching university kind of work. OTOH, there are some really sweet just project classes that people have a lot of fun just doing something they like.
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