In conjunction with Olinka Broadfoot Gallery (OlinkaBroadfootGallery.com) in Portland, Oregon (USA), AlienBooksPrague.com is proud to present a workshop series with Ms. Broadfoot only 20 min from Prague in historical Slaný, hometown of her former mentor, the late University of Oregon professor and sculptor Jan Zach (1914–1986).

Sculptor and painter Olinka Broadfoot (neé Haberová) left Czechoslovakia in 1948 when her father wanted to distance himself from memories of the concentration camp. She lived in Argentina (1948—1956), New York (1956—1962), and Utah (1962—1971), settling eventually in Oregon, where at University of Oregon she met Jan Zach, who was born in Slaný and never again saw his homeland after 1938.

During 1994—2010, while living several months each year at a TONDACH Brick Factory in Dolni Jircany, Czech Republic,  Ms. Broadfoot created a prolific body of work that has been featured in various exhibitions and includes both her Tondach and Planet Earth series.

“This is an invitation to join me for a unique workshop this autumn in Prague, Czech Republic. You can meet and work with other artists from various backgrounds, with an opportunity to trade ideas and develop or enhance your techniques.” – Olinka Broadfoot

Some of the work you produce (of your own choosing) can be shown at a gallery connected to the Jan Deyl Music Conservatory for Blind Children in Malá Strana, with the intent to auction this work to benefit the school. You will also be encouraged to produce smaller pieces for yourself, which of course you may keep.

Part of the time will include excursions to nearby historical sites (e.g., Melnik, Nelahozeves, or Krivoklat castles, Krusovice Brewery, TONDACH Brick Factory, or ancient Mt. Rip, birthplace of Slavic nations).

The program runs between September 1 and October 31, 2011. Workshop rates are US $750 (or equivalent Czech crowns) for a week-long sculpting workshop, or US $520 for a four-day painting workshop (all materials provided for both), with payment due by August 1, 2011. Cancellations are accepted until August 15, 2011, with tuition refunded minus a US $100 handling fee.

To reserve your space, contact Mirka Načinová by phone at +420 774 178 480 or via email at alienbooksprague@gmail.com.