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North Carolina

Arts at Montreat: Choose Your Own Learning Adventure

Program No. 25731RJ

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Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, this week at the Montreat Conference Center offers the perfect setting for creativity and discovery. Located amidst 2,500 acres of pristine wilderness, this unique program lets you choose your own arts experience — options include fused or stained glass, book arts, fabric arts, metalsmithing and more. Each day, devote your time to developing your artistic skills and learning from local instructors. During independent time, explore Montreat’s peaceful setting by hiking nearby trails. You’ll be surrounded by fellow Road Scholars who share your passions, creating a supportive and inspiring environment. With expert instruction and the natural beauty of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville as your backdrop, your creativity is sure to flourish.

Best of all, you'll...

Choose the date and associated artistic activity that suits you, including fused glass, fabric art and book arts.
Gain expert instruction in your chosen art form in a supportive, small group environment.
Spend independent time pulling inspiration from the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and nearby Asheville.

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General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices will not be available.

Featured Expert

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Barbara Pell

Bobbie Pell, the "Moonstone Minstrel," has been telling stories and writing fiction/poetry for over 30 years. She is a lifelong lover of story who incorporates folklore, myth and faerie lore into her writing, workshops/courses, and storytelling performances. She holds master's degrees in library science/technology and English literature/composition, and an MFA in creative writing. This modern-day minstrel unites song and story in delightful images and universal themes. She lives on Avalon Ridge with her husband Ron and their many golden retrievers.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

Please Note:

These experts may not be available for every date of the program

Barbara Pell

Tracy Bailey

Tracy has been on the program staff of Montreat Conference Center since 1986. She began working with Elderhostel programs in 1989, and in 1997 assumed the additional role of on-site coordinator. A native of the area, she graduated from Asheville-Buncombe Technical College in 1981. Her favorite hobbies are hiking, pottery and reading. Tracy married Sam in 2007, and added three daughters to her family. In addition to her own grown children, she and Sam have been foster parents since 2010. They have four grandchildren.

Deb Guess

Deb Guess is a mixed media artist, wife, mom, gardener, food lover, and mountain girl from Asheville, North Carolina. She spends her days creating jewelry, teaching classes, walking her two lovable but poorly behaved dogs, and enjoying her grandchildren. Deb's website can be found at www.soulwhispersarts.com.

Julie Bagamary

Julie Bagamary teaches textile and fiber art techniques to students of all ages and skill levels. Across the U.S. and internationally, she encourages creativity, exploration, and artistic growth. Inspired by the beauty of the Western NC Mountains, she creates vibrant batik and hand-dyed fabric art. Combining improvisational fiber arts, embroidery, hand and machine stitching, and mixed-media techniques, her colorful, whimsical work is rich in texture and detail and has been featured in curated exhibits and galleries worldwide.

Anne Stone

Anne Stone is a glass artist whose creative path began in childhood with beadwork and expanded through pottery, fiber arts, and rug braiding. She discovered her passion for stained glass more than 25 years ago, later adding fused glass techniques that deepened her artistic range. Working from her home studio in Montreat, she combines precision, beauty, and functional design by integrating fused elements into stained glass pieces. Her work reflects her love of making things and the inspiration she draws from the natural world.

Activity Level

On Your Feet

Walking up to 0.5 miles per day over uneven terrain with occasional inclines and hills. Standing up to 4 hours per day. Sitting up to 4 hours per day. Program will require approximately 1 mile of walking over 4 days. Daily walking up and down a hill to reach the classroom building and climbing a flight of stairs to the second floor where classes are held. Additional walking around the grounds during free time and stretching activities in the mornings according to personal choice. Activity includes a mix of seated instruction and standing hands-on work, with frequent transitions between sitting and standing. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.

Suggested Books and Resources

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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!

Call 800-454-5768

Helpful Links

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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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