PINE MOUNTAIN, GA (8/24/07) – It’s time to enjoy cooler temperatures outside, take pictures, be inspired, or just enjoy nature at Callaway Gardens. Callaway’s fall programming includes:

Digital Photography Workshop Series

Taking Your Photography to the Next Level: Creative Photography Beyond the Auto Mode – Raptor Shoot
Saturday, September 15, 2007, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This course is designed for the beginner or experienced digital photographer who is interested in moving beyond the camera’s auto mode into the world of creative photography. You’ll get the fundamentals of photography in an easy-to-understand manner. Explore many of your camera’s features that are unlocked when you move beyond the auto mode. Practice these skills in a photo shoot inside Callaway Gardens featuring the Birds of Prey. After the shoot and a working lunch, there will be a discussion covering a number of mini-topics, a question and answer session, and a preview of upcoming classes.
Instructor: Jim Henderson, award winning “serious amateur” photographer of LaGrange, GA.
Fee: $60*; includes lunch and course syllabus.

Mastering Exposure: Intermediate Topics in Digital Photography – Raptor Shoot
Saturday, October 6, 2007, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This workshop is designed for the experienced digital photographer interested in using the camera’s advanced features to get perfect exposures in every shooting situation. The course includes a brief discussion of the fundamentals of photography, understanding and using the histogram to evaluate your exposures, understanding how metering works and the various metering modes, using exposure compensation, using exposure bracketing, using exposure lock and more. The instructor illustrates the various concepts and shows their practical use. Ample time is allotted for questions in the afternoon session.
Instructor: Jim Henderson, award winning “serious amateur” photographer of LaGrange, GA.
Fee: $60; includes lunch and course syllabus.
Bring your digital camera, owner’s manual, plenty of charged batteries, and storage media. Dress casually in layers for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.

Mastering Flash Photography: A Limited Enrollment Workshop in Advanced DSLR Photography
November 10 – 11, 2007: Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
This two-day workshop was designed for the experienced DSLR photographer with an interest in mastering flash photography. Flash Photography is perhaps the most challenging topic in all of DSLR photography. Through the effective and knowledgeable use of flash, modern DSLRs are capable of offering the photographer the ability to get the shot in any lighting situation. Unfortunately, flash systems are overly complex and require adjustments by the photographer to achieve optimum results.
The workshop begins on Saturday morning in the classroom for an extensive coverage of the equipment, concepts and theory of flash photography. A number of flash techniques will be presented. After lunch, the participants and instructor will work together to practice and master these techniques in real-life simulations. Due to the amount of hands-on assistance from the instructor, the workshop will be limited to no more than twenty participants. On Sunday morning, participants will have an opportunity to work with a number of techniques to get accurate white balance and color in the field. The workshop will conclude with a demonstration of digital post-processing techniques using PhotoShop CS2 to enhance and prepare portraits for printing.
Limit: 20 pre-registered participants (no refunds unless participant’s slot can be filled).
Instructor: Jim Henderson of LaGrange, GA
Fee: $110 includes course syllabus and Saturday lunch.
Bring your DSLR camera, external flash, camera & flash owner’s manuals, tripod (optional), laptop computer (optional) and plenty of charged batteries.

Chinese Brush Painting Class Series

Chinese brush painting, with its emphasis on the beauty of simplicity, flowing brush strokes and graceful designs, reflects time-honored principles of Chinese philosophy and culture. Practicing Chinese brush painting helps one quiet the mind and expand creative self-expression and discipline. You will learn to work with bamboo brushes, using water color on rice paper. You will develop confidence in your painting through demonstrations, individual instruction and practice. These classes are ideal for adults and students with or without previous art training.

The classes are open to all ages. Students under the age of 9 should sign up with a parent. The 2nd member of the same family will enjoy a 20% discount on class fee. All tools and supplies will be available for purchase for the class session. The beginner’s set ($30) includes 2 large bamboo brushes, 1 small bamboo brush, 1 brush rest, 1 color mixing plate, 4 tubes of Chinese water color, 20 sheets of 11”x14” rice paper, and 1 portfolio. Returning students may bring their own supplies and pay $5 for the consumables, such as rice paper, mounting paper, sumi ink and water colors supplied in class.

Hydrangea Blossom
August 25, 2007, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Composed of many little flowerets, orchestrating the abundance, hydrangea is very attainable by any beginners. Let it be the sneak preview of the plum blossom. Indulge yourself with this elegant simplicity.
Instructor: Tehwan Tso, long-time student, now artist has been teaching Chinese brush painting for the past 20 years.
Fee: $60 plus materials
Minimum: 10; Maximum: 25

Romancing the Roses
Saturday, September 22, 2007, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Decorate our life with moments of romance. Remind ourselves to stop and smell the roses. Let our heart be awakened by their fragrance. Entrust our feelings to the roses as we paint them.
Instructor: Tehwan Tso, long-time student, now artist has been teaching Chinese brush painting for the past 20 years.
Fee: $60 plus materials
Minimum: 10; Maximum: 25

Brilliant Sunflowers Brush Painting
Saturday, October 20, 2007, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Let’s paint the brilliant sunflowers to our heart’s content. Grow them on paper from the buds to the full bloom under the command of our brushes. Watch them sway in the wind.
Instructor: Tehwan Tso, long-time student, now artist has been teaching Chinese brush painting for the past 20 years.
Fee: $60 plus materials
Minimum: 10; Maximum: 25

Plum, Peach and Cherry
Saturday, November 10, 2007, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Flowers on the branches, with or without budding leaves, cherry stems hold them out, the same flowers in different trees. The earliest blossoms in the spring, heralding many blooms.
Instructor: Tehwan Tso, long-time student, now artist has been teaching Chinese brush painting for the past 20 years.
Fee: $60 plus materials
Minimum: 10; Maximum: 25

Art and Garden Workshop Series

Mosaic Garden Art
Saturday – Sunday, September 15- 16, 2007, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. both days
Keep color in your garden all year long! Learn a quick and easy technique to create a unique mosaic turtle or frog sculpture. Participants will go home with a garden ornament and with the skills and knowledge to make more for home or for gifts. No experience necessary.
Minimum: 12; Maximum: 20
Instructor: Joel Landsberg, of “The Glass Bichon” folk art and garden mosaics
Fee: $45

Pine Needle Baskets
Saturday – Sunday, October 6- 7, 2007, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. both days
In the class, you will learn how to use pine needles from long leaf pines to make baskets and various other items using coil basketry techniques. This is a beginner’s class that will cover the basic skills needed to make a pine needle basket. When your project is complete, you will have a basket reflecting your own taste and design. All the supplies needed to make your basket will be included.
Minimum: 4; Maximum: 12
Instructor: Talitha Norris, Opelika, AL
Fee: $65

Fall Watercolor Landscapes
Saturday, October 13, 2007, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Join artist Ralph Taylor as he shares the secrets of fast flowing landscape painting. In this one-day workshop, you will complete at least three paintings in the “wet on wet” method. You will learn methods of using more pigment and color in your paintings. Open to all skill levels. Supply list will be sent with registration confirmation.
Minimum: 6; Maximum: 20
Instructor: Ralph Taylor, Phenix City, AL
Fee: $65

Gourd Bird Houses
Saturday, October 20, 2007, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. register for one session only
Invite a flying pest-eradicating fleet to your garden with the addition of a gourd bird house. Purple Martins are beautiful birds that are a welcome addition to any garden. They happily nest in dried gourds, and feed on insects. In this workshop, you will create and decorate a gourd-eous bird house and learn more about gourd art.
Instructor: Billie Strickland, Claxton, GA
Fee: $40 all materials included

Create your own Dream Catcher
Saturday, October 27, 2007, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Native Americans believe that the night air is filled with dreams. The dream catcher when hung over or near your bed, swinging freely in the air, catches the dreams as they flow by. Good dreams know how to pass through the dream catcher, slipping through the outer holes and sliding down the soft feathers so gently that many times the sleeper does not know that he/she is dreaming. Bad dreams, not knowing the way, get tangled in the dream catcher and perish with the first light of a new day. In this workshop you will learn how to construct your own Dream Catcher.
Instructor: Tauna Pierce, Environmental Education Callaway Gardens’ Birds of Prey
Fee: $35 all materials included

Rubber Stamping 101
Saturday, November 17, 2007, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Stamping has become a popular, relaxing hobby and is great for making scrapbook pages more original. Learn basic stamping techniques using My Acrylix™ stamps. You will leave this class with lots of products to play with and some great artwork. Completed projects will include all-occasion and Christmas cards, in addition to more ideas for you to work on at home. All supplies will be provided and you will take home a paper sampler, inkpad, acrylic stamp with block and a marker.

You will learn these techniques: seasoning a stamp, masking, solid stamping or first generation stamping, outline stamping, using markers for stamping, heat embossing, kissing, chalk popping, stamp rolling. A birth certificate shows you were born, a death certificate shows you died, a scrapbook shows you LIVED!
Minimum: 5; Maximum: 10
Instructor-Barbara Hudson, Independent Close To My Heart® Consultant, LaGrange, GA
Fee-$45

Cool Season Flower Box
Saturday, November 17, 2007, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Winter truly is the “cool season” for gardening- less weeding, watering and insect problems; more time to take in the beauty! Learn about layering bulbs and annuals to have a symphony of color to carry you through the grey days of winter. You will create a flower box to take home!
Minimum: 5, Maximum: 15
Instructor: Katie Cook, Interpretive Horticulturist
Fee: $35 all materials included

Holiday Wreath-making Workshop
Saturday, December 1, 2007, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit by rolling up your sleeves and creating your own custom-made wreath from fresh greenery. Our experienced horticulturists and volunteers will help you with the design. Join us and make as many wreaths as your jolly fingers can handle! Make one for your home. Or, make two, one to keep and one to give to a friend or family member. Remember to bring your pruners! Instructors: Patricia Collins and Katie Cook, Callaway Gardens’ Education Department Fee: $40 per wreath

Christmas Centerpiece Workshop
Saturday, December 8, 2007, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Create an evergreen holiday arrangement for a tabletop or fireplace mantle display. We’ll adorn an oasis form with sprigs of fresh pine, juniper and cedar that will last through the holiday season. Berries, seeds and fruits of the season will complete the design to bring holiday cheer to any home. Remember to bring your pruners!
Instructors : Patricia Collins and Katie Cook, Callaway Gardens’ Education Department
Fee: $40

Enrollment is limited and preregistration is required for all programs. Programs fill quickly, so register soon. Workshop fees include admission to Callaway Gardens. To register call the Education Department at 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292)
ext. 5153, 706-663-5153 or email education@callawaygardens.com.

For overnight accommodations at Mountain Creek® Inn for any of these workshops, please call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292).

Callaway Gardens®, a premier travel and meeting destination in the South, is owned by the non-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foundation™ (ICCF). Within the 13,000 acres of Callaway Gardens is a resort, preserve, almost 100,000 square feet of meeting space, 931 guest rooms, restaurants, shops, golf, tennis, fishing, shooting club, gardens, butterfly conservatory, horticultural center, chapel, inland beach, nature trails, and additional attractions. For more than 50 years Callaway Gardens has provided “a place of relaxation, inspiration and a better understanding of the living world” for millions of visitors. Callaway Gardens is committed to its mission of environmental education and land stewardship for the benefit of future generations.

In January 2005, Noble Investment Group (Noble) was selected by the ICCF to use their management expertise to oversee the day-to-day operations of Callaway. Noble is an integrated real estate investment management, operating and development organization focused on the North American lodging and hospitality sector. Through its private equity funds, Noble is a value-added, active investor in luxury and upscale hotels and resorts. By strategically utilizing the organization's in-house property management and project development core competencies, Noble has achieved premium risk-adjusted investment returns since 1993.

Noble and its predecessors have acquired and developed over $1.5 billion in assets and in 2006, the company made an aggregate of $500 million in lodging investments including the Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens. Noble’s current discretionary private equity fund represents $310 million of equity commitments and expects to invest over $1 billion in assets during the next three years.

Noble's development division leads the planning, programming, construction management and realization of complex lodging development, re-development and conversion strategies. Currently, Noble is actively developing more than $1 billion of urban, resort and mixed-use hospitality projects throughout North America.

Noble's management division is an award-winning operator of independent destination resorts and branded upscale hotels affiliated with Marriott, Starwood, Hilton, Hyatt and IHG. Currently, Noble operates more than 7,000 hotel and resort guest rooms, convention and conference centers with over 800,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, as well as championship golf, day and resort spa’s, upscale restaurants, and branded retail coffee stores. For further information, please visit www.nobleinvestment.com.

Callaway Gardens®, is in Pine Mountain, Ga., 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus. For additional information, call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) or visit www.callawaygardens.com.
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