Finding ART Workshops: It Shouldn't Be This Difficult

Give Me a Good ART Workshop

I am art-ambitious and I like art challenges. Nothing has been more fun than taking art workshops in which I learn new things and in which often my art brain is challenged. I love art workshops but why oh why are they so hard to find?

Blame the Internet?

Maybe.
I haven't met too many Google searchable, website, savvy artist promoters. When I first moved here a few years ago, I searched constantly online for art classes and instructors. I found only one place to take classes and that was after vigorous desperate searching. Needless to say, there is a community art group in almost every town here - I have no idea how people find them because they are not finding them online! One group I have joined sends out postcards each month which is nice, but they do not update their website or facebook pages often enough. Social media is more important than ever and I expect to see updates, often!

My next issue is distance!
For a few months now I have been searching for an art workshop. My issue is that I want to find a workshop that is drivable for me. I have a ton of art supplies and even taking only paints, brushes, canvas and easel -well you see the dilemma it is a lot of stuff to take! I found a workshop that I would want to take but it is a 2 day drive --I do not love driving that seems so far! Much too far since it would be 2 day driving there and 2 days driving back. Ugh I am tired already!

Last issue - I Don't Know You

I found a few art workshops that  would be a few hours drive. That seems reasonable, although I am unfamiliar with many of the artists teaching the workshops. One important note is that not all artists make great instructors! A well known artist with beautiful work does not equate to a great art instructor. I always ask my art friends about art instructors and classes and workshops - insight and knowledge are invaluable.

What is the BEST art workshop that you have taken? Who was the artist who taught the workshop?