"Art, when really understood is the province of every human being." ~Robert Henri, 1923

The Art Spirit is a soul awareness where landscape, emotion, and imagination connect to empower a unique capability for self-expression in every human being. The American artist, Robert Henri expanded this concept in his book, The Art Spirit published in 1923. The book is known to be a master class on creativity and inspiration, and this tour follows his inspiration.

"When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressive creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and he opens ways for a better understanding.” ~ Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

The Art Spirit Experience – Wyeth Country is a two-day experience that will explore the concept and the practice of allowing a landscape or subject combined with a creator’s deepest emotions and ignite the imagination allowing for raw and true self-expression.

Whether it is painting, poetry, music, dance, photography, or any other art form, the creation embodies the Art Spirit if it’s connected to the artist’s deepest emotions.

 One artist who embraced the Art Spirit is Chadds Ford artist, Andrew Wyeth. This Art Spirit Experience will follow the path of Andrew Wyeth and the Wyeth family and how they were inspired by the Brandywine Valley landscape and how they allowed their deepest emotions to inform their art. Then guests will explore how to draw on their own emotions to express themselves through art.

This two-day experience, led by travel writer, Mindie Burgoyne will invite guests to explore the concepts of the Art Spirit as defined by Robert Henri, and will take guests on an inner journey as well as a physical journey that will awaken their own Art Spirit. Guests will immerse themselves in that magical landscape that inspired the art of Andrew Wyeth and his father, N.C. Wyeth as well as his siblings and his son, Jamie Wyeth. They will visit the Brandywine River Museum of Art, which houses the most extensive collection of Wyeth art in the world. Guests will also visit the places sacred to the Wyeth artists – the family home, art studios, and the Kuerner farm.

Every human being has the Art Spirit within them. Whether you are a painter, writer, actor, musician or someone who doesn’t practice a particular conventional form of art, everyone has the power of creativity and imagination within them. The Art Spirit Experience will help ignite that creativity within and aid in finding methods of self-expression. You don’t have to be an artist to gain spiritual enrichment from this experience. 

 More about the Wyeths 

Chadds Ford artist, Karl J. Kuerner who was mentored by Andrew and Carolyn Wyeth, and whose family farm – The Keurner Farm – was the subject of over 1000 works by Andrew Wyeth, will be a featured speaker and teacher in two separate sessions of this Art Spirit Experience. One session will be a lecture and the other a practical teaching session at the Kuerner Farm.

Karl J. Kuerner – a third-generation farmer,  has his studio on the famous “Kuerner Hill” overlooking his family’s iconic farm.  Karl has written five books and his work has been featured in exhibitions all over the world. All Art Spirit Experience guests will receive a copy of Karl’s book “Beyond the Art Spirit” published by Cedar Tree Press. (retail cost $45) Karl will sign the copies.

"Silence of the Night …if you can put that down you’ve got something." ~ Karl J. Kuerner

This tour is uniquely timed to coincide with a Karl Kuerner show at the Brandywine Museum of Art entitled “The Continuity of Creativity”  which features nineteen original works by Karl J. Kuerner – some of which are on loan from private collections. Guests will have this exhibit as part of the Museum tour on day one. 

The cost for registering for the Art Spirit Experience is $449 per person. The Experience includes the following activities, that take place from June 27th -29th – ending after dinner (approx 8:30 pm) on June 29th. Guests are free to leave on Sunday morning after breakfast on June 29th. 

The Art Spirit Experience begins at the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford at 10 am on June 27th and ends after an evening meal on June 28th (8:30-9 pm).  There is a block of rooms reserved at the Hampton Inn Suites in Chadds Ford – about 3.5 miles from the Museum, accommodations there include a hot breakfast each morning. 

Guests will need to make arrangements for two nights – June 27 and 29, and may want to add June 26th if they are coming in the day before. To book your room at the Hampton Inn, guests can call the hotel at 610.358.9540 and make a reservation using the group code CHH503. The Reservation is under the company name Travel Hag Tours.

The cost of a room at the Hampton Inn is $186.49 per night for a single and $205.54 per night for a double. These prices include the 9% tax charged by the State of PA on hotel rooms. Please email us at contact@thinplaces.com if you’d like us to make the hotel reservation for you. There is no upcharge for that.

Guests will want to sketch pads, pencils, a journal or writing paper, or whatever he or she uses in the practice of art that is easily transportable. Weather permitting, there may be an opportunity for plein air. 

The Brandywine Museum of Art is conveniently located off Interstate Rt. 1 near the intersection of Rt. 202

Nearby …
Philadelphia Airport – 30-minute drive
Wilmington Airport – 30-minute drive
Amtrack SEPTA Station, 30 minutes

NOTE: Transport to and from Chadds Ford and the Airports and Train stations must be via Uber, Lyft, or rental car. The drive is about 30-40 minutes. There is no easy-access public transportation from these locations.

QUESTIONS:
Please email contact@thinplaces.com with any questions. 

There’s so much to do in the Brandywine Valley just 30 minutes from Wilmington, DE, and Philadelphia, PA.  In close proximity to our home base in Chadds Ford, PA are Longwood Gardens; Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library; the historic Battle of Brandywine Battlefield, historical sites and mansions, winery and brewery trails, and unique shopping opportunities.  Check out the Wilmington and Brandywine Visitor Website.  Plan your day, see some sites, check into the hotel, and join us at 6pm for a Welcome Reception. 

6 to 8 pm: Welcome to The Art Spirit Tour in the Brandywine Valley!

Meet your fellow guests at a private reception just for you. Complete your registration, pick up your supplies (goodies), and learn more about what you will experience over the next few days.

Complimentary, Wine, soda, and snacks will be served. 

Morning – Hot breakfast is served at the Hampton Suites (if you’re staying in our room block) or another option is near the Museum – the Oso Sweet Bakery Cafe

10:00 am: Meet at the Brandywine River Museum – visit the gift shop and get a briefing on the day’s activities

11:00 am: Guided Tour of the Brandywine River Museum of Art

12:00 pm: Boxed lunches served in Museum Café (included)

1:15 pm:  Tour of N.C. Wyeth House & Studio

2:30 pm: Tour of the Kuerner Farm

4:00 pm: Session with Karl Kuerner on The Art Spirit – conference room at the hotel

6:00 pm: Group Dinner at Antica short walk from the hotel (included)

8:00 pm: Relax in the hotel – drinks in the lobby for those interested

Morning – Hot breakfast is served at the Hampton Suites (if you’re staying in our room block) or another option is near the Museum – the Oso Sweet Bakery Cafe

10:00 am: Meet at the Brandywine Museum of Art

10:15 am: Group tour of the Andrew Wyeth Studio in Chadds Ford

11:30 am: Museum and Gift Shop wander, lunch on your own in Millstone Café

1:00 pm:  Session with Karl J. Kuerner at The Kuerner Farm – practical techniques and insight implementing principles of The Art Spirit. Opportunities for questions and answers.

3-5 pm – flexible time  (options are…)

• Car Pool to Chadds Ford Winery (award-winning)
• Visit Earth, Wind, and Fire Metaphysical / Crystal Shop, (next to the winery)
• Plein Air opportunity along Brandywine Creek – or the grounds around the Museum
• Spend time in the gym or pool at the hotel – relax

5:00 pm  Group Session with Karl J. Kuerner on the Art Spirit at the hotel

7:00 pm:  Closing Dinner at The Brandywine Prime.

9:00 pm: Retire – unless you want to linger in the hotel lobby with the other guests

Morning – breakfast is on your own with many options but none are so good as the Oso Sweet Bakery Cafe just steps away from the hotel.  Check out of the Hotel

10:00 am:  The Brandywine River Trail: explore Plein Air opportunities in this magical setting starting with a guided meditation.

12:00 pm: Lunch in Millstone Café, last chance to visit Museum and Shop

1:00 pm: Second session with  Karl J. Kuerner

3:00 pm: Say goodbye for now – Tour is ended.