A view of the the HCESC Campus at Hoffman's Crossing. Photos by Dennis Balodis.

A view of the the HCESC Campus at Hoffman’s Crossing. Photos by Dennis Balodis.

Picture a beautiful campus of rolling hills, woodlands and fields on 47 acres where you can paint, photograph and immerse yourself in the arts. A bucolic, peaceful setting, far away from the traffic and daily distractions, that inspires you to take your creative talents to an entirely new level.

Sounds great, huh?

This splendid experience is now available to everyone because the Hunterdon Art Museum and the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission’s Campus at Hoffman’s Crossing are teaming up to create an ideal place where art and the environment can intersect. The sprawling campus at the Califon-based Hoffman’s Crossing will allow the Museum to expand its already wide variety of classes and workshops.

The Museum is particularly excited to be offering programs that utilize the gorgeous landscapes of Hoffman’s Crossing, said Marjorie Frankel Nathanson, executive director of the Hunterdon Art Museum.

Registrations are now being accepted for fall workshops in photography, painting en plein air, encaustic painting and eco-printing. The Museum’s staff of professional artists and teachers will conduct these programs at Hoffman’s Crossing.

In addition, future programs focusing on ceramics, fiber arts and other mediums will take advantage of several large open rooms in two campus buildings.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the HCESC Campus to offer a variety of wonderful new art programs in a picture-postcard setting of verdant fields, farmlands and hills,” Nathanson said. “We feel the programs offered at Hoffman’s Crossing are ideal for inspiring everyone who wants an exciting new way to explore their creative side.”

“The Hunterdon County ESC is excited to partner with the Hunterdon Art Museum in offering arts programming to our community,” said Marie Kisch, Superintendent of the HCESC. “Our collaboration allows our organizations to leverage our strengths and work together in expanding our programs for the enrichment of our community.”

The campus at Hoffman’s Crossing serves as an on-site academy and field site for partner schools and groups. Its many amenities include a pond and pavilion, a main building that can accommodate 150 guests, and space for classrooms, exhibitions, community receptions and breakout rooms for professional development.

An 1840s barn and pastures are home to alpacas and goats, a center piece of its Feed to Fiber program, a curriculum that integrates animal science, environmental stewardship and the arts.

A nature trail offers access to the scenic Ken Lockwood Gorge, and the nearby Columbia Rail Trail offers additional opportunities to enjoy the area’s natural beauty.

Workshops offered this fall are:

Plein Air Painting Workshop with Oscar Peterson (Tuesday, Sept. 20; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) – Come paint the breathtaking views at Hoffman’s Crossing. Students will learn the techniques to start, establish and finish a painting en plein air. Fundamental principles of capturing color, light, planes and structure will all be covered. Adults and teens; ages 16 and up. Rain date is Sept. 27.

Landscape Photography with Nancy Ori (Saturday, Oct. 1; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) – The colorful landscapes at Hoffman’s Crossing offer the perfect backdrop to learn about composition, natural lighting, landscape and close-up photography and much more. Adults and teens; ages 16 and up. Rain date is Oct. 8.

Encaustic Painting Workshop with Joanna Platt (Sunday, Oct. 9; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) – This introductory workshop teaches the processes and procedures of encaustic painting. Students will learn the basic techniques of mixing medium, applying the “paint,” scraping and scratching the surface, embedding mixed materials and collage elements, and a simple printing technique. Adults and teens; ages 16 and up.

Eco-Printing Workshop with Kathy Metaxas & Cristin Riccardo (Saturday, Oct. 22; 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) — Create your own scarf from nature by learning the process of decorating a silk scarf with found objects and plant materials. Adults and teens; ages 16 and up.

To register, visit the Hunterdon Art Museum’s website at www.hunterdonartmuseum.org or call 908-735-8415. For more information about Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission Hoffman’s Crossing Campus visit www.hunterdonesc.org. The campus is at 37 Hoffman’s Crossing Road in Califon, New Jersey.

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