This is in response to Tia Mary's disappointment about no stitching festivals.
Just down the road from Atlanta is Callaway Gardens. Every January they host the Callaway Gardens School of Needlearts. I have been attending for ten years and have taken classes from Tony Minieri, Jane Zimmerman, Joyce Lukomski, Gay Ann Rogers, and Betty Chen Louis.
When I started going, I did mostly cross stitch and very little needlepoint. I have learned so much more by attending these classes. Most of the EGA and ANG seminars are too far for me to go, but Callaway is about a 5 hour drive for me. This year I took a class in gold work from Deborah Wilson. It was all new to me, but I learned so much from her, and it will cross over into any other venue I decide to stitch.
They have a fantastic judged exhibit every year with over 100 pieces of needlework entered from all over the country. Tristan Brooks brings all their luscious threads, canvasses, kits, etc down and operates a store for us while we are there. The Georgia Chapter EGA hosts a bookstore and sells books from Ruth Kern.
The teachers participating this year were: Gay Ann Rogers, Sue Kerndt, Dorothy Lesher, Tony Minieri, Marnie Ritter, Deanna Powell, Michele Roberts, Joan Thomasson and at least a dozen more.
Room and board is included in the price. You can room alone or have a roommate. The restaurant is there on site as well as the conference center where the classes are held. Having attended national seminars thru EGA and going to Callaway, I prefer Callaway. It is an easy drive for anyone living in the southeast.
Their catalog for 2008 will probably be coming out early summer. To get on their mailing list call,1-800-763-3353.
Not affiliated in any way, just a happy attendee and stitcher!
Jean