Do I need prior drawing experience?

No—this seminar accommodates beginners through experienced artists; exercises scale to skill level and feedback is personalized.

Is lodging included with the commuter pass?

No—commuter pass covers instruction and meals as listed, but lodging is not included so attendees arrange their own accommodations.

What materials are supplied?

Core instructional materials and shared supplies are available, but bring your preferred pencils, erasers, and sketchbook for continuity.

Can I arrive late or leave early on certain days?

The program encourages full participation; you may arrive for breakfast as early as 8am and should depart after evening programming concludes.

Is the venue accessible by car?

Yes—the campus is reachable by road; check seasonal road conditions and parking instructions at the referral link before travel.

Are meals included with the program?

Yes—meals from dinner the first night through breakfast the final morning are included if you opt into meal attendance.

Drawn to Raquette Lake: Six-Day Commuter Drawing Seminar at Great Camp Sagamore | Workshop

On the quiet shores of Raquette Lake, New York, Commuter Pass | Drawing brings six days of concentrated studio practice to Great Camp Sagamore’s 1105 Sagamore Road campus. Set within the Adirondack Park’s glacial lakes and granite shorelines, this drawing seminar balances classroom technique with time spent sketching outside in pine and birch woods. Led by Wes Sherman, an accomplished artist and college art professor, the program moves from basics - line, shape, form, perspective, composition, and tone - into more advanced observational work. Mornings begin with demonstrations and hands-on exercises; afternoons invite students to take sketchbooks outdoors along the lake shore and through old-growth stands to capture light on water and rock. The commuter format is ideal for residents and nearby visitors; day attendees join program sessions from breakfast through evening talks, departing after the final workshop. All regular day and evening instruction and meals are included if you opt in, beginning with dinner the first night and ending after breakfast on the last morning. Class sizes are intimate to allow personalized feedback, group critiques, and material exploration using pencils, charcoal, and ink. Sherman’s approach emphasizes seeing - measuring proportion, building value, and translating three-dimensional forms onto paper - while leaving room for individual creative direction. Beyond technique, the setting is a major draw. Raquette Lake’s glassy coves, exposed granite ledges, and mixed hardwood and conifer forests offer varied subject matter and quiet for focused observation. Expect common sightings of loon calls, and frequent eagle flyovers, plus deer and the small motions of marsh wildlife that animate shoreline studies. Practical instruction covers compositional choices, value studies, gesture drawing, and techniques for working directly from life. Evening sessions include group critique, slides, and demonstrations that consolidate the day’s discoveries. The campus address—1105 Sagamore Road, Raquette Lake, New York—places you within easy reach of trails, boat launches, and the subtle architecture of a historic Adirondack great camp tradition. This seminar is for anyone who wants to sharpen observation skills, develop a reliable drawing practice, or explore new media in a concentrated week. Bring curiosity, a sketchbook, and willingness to receive constructive critique; the rhythm of focused study within living landscapes will change how you look at subject matter long after the workshop ends. Practical notes: plan for variable Adirondack weather, layer up, and be prepared to sketch from damp shorelines. Materials are provided in sessions, but you may prefer to bring favorite pencils or ink. The commuter option keeps lodging flexible while delivering concentrated instruction in a remarkable natural setting. To register, follow the provided referral link and plan travel to Raquette Lake, United States. The seminar marries technical rigor with outdoor observation, making it an enriching Adirondack art experience for committed learners alike.

About Great Camp Sagamore

Great Camp Sagamore is a historic Adirondack retreat on Raquette Lake, New York, celebrated for its preserved late-19th-century architecture and curated cultural programming. Built in 1897 for the Vanderbilt family, the camp comprises 27 historic buildings set on a lakeside estate within Adirondack Park. Visitors find guided history tours, interpretive hikes, paddles from the 1897 boathouse, and seasonal public events that highlight the camp’s architecture, engineering, and natural setting.

Program offerings include weekend commuter workshops and immersive retreats: a couples’ retreat and Imago-based communication workshop; nature-inspired art workshops led by instructor Terri Fraser; and beginner fly fishing weekends taught by instructor Cari Ray. Educational talks and history lectures are presented by historian Connor Williams, covering topics like presidential elections and the origins of the Great Camps and William West Durant’s architectural legacy.

On-water experiences feature a 1.5-hour guided paddle that interprets the landscape and built environment, while land programs range from full-day engineering history hikes to volunteer work weekends. The camp also hosts a free summer concert series supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, with performances in June through August.

Great Camp Sagamore balances historic preservation with public access, offering family-friendly tours with optional lakeside buffet lunches and commuter pass options for daytime participation. As a registered historic site within the Adirondack Park, the camp provides authentic, well-documented programming led by experienced instructors and historians, making it a reliable destination for history, arts, nature, and outdoor learning.

Public programs emphasize conservation, stewardship, and visitor education today.

Drawn to Raquette Lake: Six-Day Commuter Drawing Seminar at Great Camp Sagamore

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