Each year, dozens of quilting enthusiasts migrate an hour south of Grand Junction Colorado to Gateway Canyons.  They gather together for the Alegre Retreat, the premier conference for devotees the fabric arts.  Beginning in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1994, Katie Pasquini Masopust has successfully organized the retreat with the goal of highlighting the variety of quilting methods and specialties in this rich branch of the fabric arts.

Faced with an awkward potential change in venue a few years back, Katie was faced with a decision to either lose a level of intimacy - a key element of the retreat – or close it down.  Maureen Hendricks, an attendee who has missed only one retreat since inception, was dismayed.  Maureen is dedicated supporter of fabric arts and was not willing to let this important gathering disappear and with her husband John Hendricks, Founder and Chairman of Discovery Communications, the number one nonfiction media company, and creator of Discovery Channel, planned a rescue.  As a result, Alegre Retreat was moved to its permanent home at Gateway Canyons.

The Hendricks vision for Gateway Canyons is to establish an intimate destination where life-long learning mixes with enjoyment of the red rock country of Southwestern Colorado, thereby feeding people’s curiosity and thirst for knowledge.  A perfect match of education and intimacy, Alegre Retreat was reborn.  Katie continues as both master of ceremonies and instructor, with additional world-class artists and teachers joining her in this pinnacle quilting event.  This year Alegre Retreat will span March 20 to March 27. The teachers are Nancy Crow teaching strip pieceing I & II, this will be a seven day class so she will include new exercises for a great indepth study of stirp pieceing, Kaite Pasquini Masopust is teaching stitched paintings in the new Paint Horse studio at the Palisade Event Center. Paint canvas in an abstract design then stitched them together and quilt to create beautiful multy textured art pieces.  Rosalie Dace is teaching composition and design and comes to us all the way from South Africa. Judi Warren Blaydon is combine collage and fabric to teach you to create one of a kind art quilts.

Attendees will choose to study for five days, seven days, or two days with one instructor and hear lectures from all four at the lunches and dinners.  In addition, participants will enjoy a vendor night where they setup their own table and sell their creations.  Also new is a two day weekend add-on with Emily Richardson with focus on color and composition, Rosalie Dace will be focusing on the power of line in designing and Katie teaching landscape painting and stitching these painted canvases.

For those short on time, we will also offer a focused Lecture Series.  On Monday March 21st,  Alegre will host a lunch and lecture from Judy Warren Blaydon, offer a tour of the Gateway Colorado Auto Museum,  provide entry into the quilt exhibit and participants vendor mall, and shopping with High Fashion Fabrics.  The day will close with a dinner lecture from Rosalie Dace.  On Wednesday March 23rd, another lecture day will be offered, with a lunch and lecture from Katie Pasquini Masopust, a tour of the museum, enjoyment of the quilt exhibit and shopping with High Fashion Fabrics. This second day will close with a dinner lecture from Nancy Crow.  In addition, attendees will be offered spa discounts from Gateway Canyons. All of this for only 75.00 for the day.

DATES:

Opening reception: March 20th, 2011

Those who attended last year know to prepare for an unforgettable experience. Gateway Canyons, Colorado is a land of stunning views, magnificent rock formations and soul calming rivers. It is an area that has long inspired travelers, from the Indians of yesteryear to the pioneers (and quilters!) of today.  This setting, combined with the resort’s mission to celebrate the finest in Fiber Arts, makes Gateway Canyons the perfect host for the Alegre Retreat.  You’ll also find all the pampering and/or adventures necessary to complete the perfect learning vacation!

COURSES:

Seven day:  March 21st – 27th

Nancy Crow - The Best of Strip-Piecing I & II

Five day:  March 21st – 25th

Rosalie Dace - Erath, Wind and Fire

Judi Blaydon - Collage+Cloth = Quilt

Katie Pasquini-Masopust - Stitched Paintings

Two day: March 26th - 27th

Rosalie Dace - Line Dance

Katie Pasquini-Masopust - Plein Air Painting

Emily Ruchardson - Painting and Composition

One day Alegre Lecture Series

Monday, March 21:

Rosalie Dace Luncheon lecture - Have quilts, Will Travel.

Dinner Lecture, Judi Blaydon Luncheon lecture - Big Rocks and Smart Women.

Wednesday, March 23:

Katie Pasquini-Masopust Luncheon lecture - Quilts and Quilt trips

Nancy Crow Dinner lecture - Opinions of an Artist

Lecture Series days include lunch and dinner with lectures at each, entry to museum and discounts on spa treatments. Cost $75.00

Click here for detailed course information

Click here for Pricing and Information

For additional information or to register by phone, please call: 970-931-2458 or email: info@gatewaycanyons.com

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