Nimrod Hall Summer Arts Program Q & A

General Questions

How do you fill weeks?
First come basis. Register early if you can.

When do I pay?
Send your deposit with your application form. We will collect checks for the remainder of your fees at dinner the first night or breakfast Monday morning.

What about Gratuity?
We customarily give a ten to fifteen percent gratuity of our room and board to be split between the wait staff. Give what you can, but $35 is a common number. The gratuity will be collected Thursday Night after dinner in an envelope marked-you guessed it: Gratuity.

Can I request a specific cottage?
Due to the fact that we have doubled in attendance over the past five years, it just is not possible to guarantee specific rooms anymore. That being said, you can request a room, but be aware that we may not be able to accommodate but will certainly try.

Can I change the room that I am assigned?
If you and the person you are changing with are cool with that then it is fine with me. Don’Äôt change though with someone who hasn’Äôt arrived because I have a whole list of people and specific rooms they have requested (mostly for medical reasons) and it will gum up the works.

Do I have a roommate?
Everyone has a private room with baths to be shared.

Am I the only one who won’Äôt know everyone else?
No way. Out of 100 participants last year we had almost 25% first timers. Everyone does not know each other, but you’Äôll find that a day or two is all you need to know most everyone. Sitting all over at meals will help you meet new people quickly.

Can I receive/make calls?
You are welcome to make outgoing calls on the phone in the dining room. Limit the time, though, because there are a lot of people and only one phone line (Especially in the ’Äúpeak hours’Äù after dinner) and you’Äôd appreciate the same courtesy.

Everyone has emergencies and special situations, but we don’Äôt recommend calls coming in otherwise. If you have to receive a call that is fine, but please try to tell your families that when calls come in after 10 pm it is one line that also rings in Frankie’Äôs condo and wakes her up. Best to make outgoing calls at these times. The number here is 540-862-0531.

Can I smoke?
Sure, but not in the cottages. Use the porches and everyone is happy.

Can you swim in the river?
The best swim you’Äôll ever have. Hop in a tube and hook your toe on the rope and ENJOY! We have Tubing trips where we float down the Cowpasture River as well. Those are announced sporadically and everyone is invited. A normal swim time is before critique in the afternoons but you can swim anytime. There is a pond where you can swim or fish as well but it is COLD!

Can I explore the old camp cabins?
Nope. Some of the best artwork created here have been the cabins painted from a distance-keep it that way.

Can I explore and paint off the grounds?
Yes, within reason. Everyone is very laid back but don’Äôt be foolish. If you aren’Äôt sure then just don’Äôt climb any fences or go into place marked private property.

Are towels and linens provided?
Yes, but if you are towel-picky, you might want to bring your own. Sheets for the beds are provided.

How do I get fresh towels?
Ruth is our wonderful helper and will go around in the mornings and exchange towels. If you have dirty towels leave them outside your door and she will replace them with new. Make us aware if you are not getting enough towels, etc.

What is up with the gnats?
They are pests that is what. Guess what though? If you stay under a porch they will sometimes stay away. Otherwise just coat yourself with bug spray and try to ignore them.

Meal Questions

What time are meals?
8AM, 1 PM and 6:30 PM. Try to be there on time as we eat family style and it is respectful to your fellow participants and Frankie. One other note-if you like to visit at the table after meals then make sure and give all your dishes to the wait staff, so they can get their jobs done in reasonable time.

Are cokes available?
No. BYO Soft Drinks.

Is there an ice machine I can use?
Inside the kitchen door there is a HUGE ice machine. Please help yourself (ice chests are fine) and be sure to put the scoop back on top.

What time is coffee on in the dining room?
Frankie usually has it on by 7am. If you notice a lot of people guzzling at that hour though please tell the staff so they can make more for us who sleep until the bell’ĶIf you carry a mug to your room then make sure and bring it back at the next meal.

Is there unlimited coffee service 24 hours a day?
Nope. If you are a hard core coffee drinker then I suggest you bring a coffee machine for your room. Frankie makes plenty of coffee but some weeks it just seems like the local Starbucks could not keep up with the demand of the wired artist. Coffee is only provided during breakfast.

How are meals announced?
Meals are announced by the ringing of a bell that is jangled up and down the yard. It means the plates of food are about to be put on the table and you have about 5 minutes.

Can I drink alcohol with my meals?
Only if you share’Ķ Sure! A glass of wine or cocktail is just fine to bring down to dinner. An ice-cold beer has always be a favorite at critiques as well. BYOB

I am Vegetarian’Ķ
No problem. Let us know and we will hook you up with some vegetables. We don’Äôt make special meals but can usually find enough good leftovers to satisfy you. If you are Vegan or have other special diet needs though you better bring some vegan snacks as we aren’Äôt set up for that.

Is there a seating chart?
Sit wherever you want. It is a good time to meet people so table-hopping is a good idea. You do not have to sit with your artist in residence participants only and I encourage you not to. It is so high school to only sit with the same people every meal’ĶJ

Can I have food in my cottage?
Can you say MOUSE? Because unless that food is in a Tupperware container you will be’Ķ.Seriously, seal the containers and you will be fine.

Art Questions

What do I paint?
There is so much here that sometimes it seems like there is nothing. Check out the photo album of past years and look at some of the old participant works for inspiration!

Where do I paint?
You can paint anywhere you like, using common sense. Some ideas:

  • Your Porch : The best lighting you’Äôll ever have (Try to stick to your own porch unless you clear it with the artists staying there).
  • Out in the Yard
  • On site (You can drive, just try to move your car as much out of the way of the road as possible-please be smart about this as we have had to disrupt many a morning pulling a well intentioned artist out of the ditch).
  • Your Room
  • Dining Room: This is a popular place for some. Be aware that an hour before every meal, your paints need to be out of the dining room so the kids can set tables etc.
  • Old Post Office (Only in the front during printmaking and watercolor weeks)

Where is critique?
Your artist in residence will tell you for sure but usually it is held in front of the post office or on the porch at Second Sunset.

I am afraid of critique, can I skip it?
Who isn’Äôt afraid of critique? It is scary to show your artwork to anyone at first but I think you’Äôll be completely amazed at the support and help that attending crits will give you. We are all here because we love to make art and critiques should be looked at as sharing your art with the whole group, not something to be feared. It is a valuable part of the experience here and once you attend you’Äôll never be afraid again.

Can I talk to the other artists when they are working?
Nope. Making art is a solo event and everyone is annoyed at the chatterbox who is having trouble getting to work, chatting while you are TRYING to. If an artist is working somewhere public then still assume they don’Äôt want to be disturbed.

What is the deal with the artist in residence and the schedule?
The first night you are here we will have a little wine and cheese party on the lawn to meet each other and your artist in residence. It is a nice ice breaker and it is recommended you come. After dinner that night your artist in residence will collect his or her participants and give you an idea of what you will be doing during the week.

The artist in residence is an artist, just like you, and Nimrod gets their creative juices flowing as well. They will work in the mornings and reserve the afternoons for the participants. Please respect this. Some artists will choose to have sign up sheets for critiques and artists visits and will have them posted in the dining room. But this is your artist in residences choice and they will explain their approach on the first night.

Where do I clean my brushes?
This is a sticky one. There is no great place, but the hose in the front yard is good for the final rinse after you finish turping them. I will try to have a large can nearby for you to dump old turpentine in as well. Just be wise with that stuff and don’Äôt wash them where your bathroom mate is going to be brushing their teeth’Ķ

What is Walk-Around?
We have a tradition here at Nimrod where on Thursday Night we put all of our work out on the porches of our houses and we all get to see what everyone has been up to all week long. We have a little vino or beer (BYOB) and just have fun, leisurely time. The photo albums will show you pictures made from previous years Walk-Arounds. This night will not be a critique but more of a viewing.

What about the art books? Am I allowed to take them to my cottage?
Every year I bring my art books for everyone to look at. John usually brings his as well and we both encourage you to look at them and become inspired. Try not to forget and leave a book in your cottage all week. In fact, overnight is the best idea. We have a sign up sheet where you just jot down your name and what book you have.

I sure hope that is it! If you have any other questions though, don’Äôt hesitate to ask!