Frequently Asked Questions

I've taken all the queries from the Message Board as well as the Encaustic Facbook page and put them in this post. If you have additional questions, please post them in the Comments section below. I'll respond ASAP. 
--JM

Is there an orientation for those of us who are new to the Conference? 
Yes, indeed. We've scheduled a 30-minute session on Friday morning, 10:45 to 11:15 during a special one-hour break between sessions. We'll meet in the Fore'n'Aft room, right off the lobby.

What if I want to register for just one day of the conference?
You need to register for the entire conference. If you decide to attend just one day, that's up to you.

What if I don't like the event I've selected. May I switch rooms?
Sorry, no. Moving around once a presentation is underway is rude to the presenter and annoying to the audience.

What's the procedure for the Hotel Fair?  
Info here and here.

Help! I want to participate in the Hotel Fair but I need to vacate my room at noon.
Don't worry, ou can participate. Just be sure to vacate your room right after the Fair. You can leave your baggage at the front desk.

Are post-conference workshops included in the conference price?
There is a separate fee. 

Do I need to bring materials for the conference demos or workshops?
Conference demos are strictly demonstration, so you do not need to bring materials. The Pre- and Post-Conference workshops are different. Teachers typically provide either a list of supplies that you may bring with you or purchase from conference vendors, or they may provide materials for a fee. Castle Hill or the specific teachers will contact you if you're signed up.Also, it's important to note that our wonderful vendors, including R&F Handmade Paints, Enkaustikos, Kama Pigments and Evans Encaustics, donate a large amount of paint, medium and materials for you to try.

Could I register only for the Post-Conference sessions?
Sure. But you'll miss a great conference!

What if I decide at a later date that I wish to register for a Post-Conference workshop? Possible?
Sure. If there is space, you can register even during the conference if you wish. Please know, however, that the workshops tend to fill up quickly.  Occasionally a spot may open at a late date, but I wouldn't plan on that as a registration strategy.

What are the hours of the post-conference workshops, and where do they take place?
The workshops run from 10:00am to 4:00 pm with an hour for lunch as determined by the instructor. Informal events are planned for some of the evenings. All post-Conference events take place at Castle Hill in Truro, the next town over. At the Conference we encourage those with cars to offer rides to those without. There will be a signup sheet. And on Monday morning I'm in the parking lot looking to match up cars and riders. It's also possible for a group to take a taxi. The ride thing seems confusing but it always works out. Cherie will post a sign-up sheet to help link drivers with those who need a ride. (Be sure to chip in for gas.)

I see you have multiple-day workshops. Is there any chance I could take just one day of, say, the three-day workshop so that I may take different workshops on other days?
Nice try, but the point of multiple-day workshops is to have the opportunity to explore one area in depth with one teacher and the same group of equally committed particpants.

Would you explain how Conference presenters get selected?
I aim for a mix of new presenters and of returning presenters whose events filled to capacity and/or were noted with enthusiasm. I used to issue a Call for Proposals, but we now have such a large ad hoc faculty, all of whom have continually evolving ideas of what they'd like to present--most of whom teach at the university level, and others who are high-level entrepreneurial teachers--that I tend to draw from that pool. I also travel widely and talk with a lot of teaching artists. If I learn of someone who's doing something you might like, I bring her or him in. Also, sometimes I have an idea about an event I'd like to see presented, and I invite someone to present it. I will continue to schedule a mix of new and back-by-popular-demand favorites. I try to give you what you want--and avoid what you don't want. I read every suggestion, comment and complaint that's put into the Suggestion Box.

What's the parking like?
The Provincetown Inn has a very large lot which is FREE for conferees to use, whether you're staying at the Inn or not. Parking in town is less accommodating. There's not a lot of free on-street parking, but there are pay-to-park lots--municipal lots on the hill above town and on McMillan Wharf in the center of town, and another, the rather costly Duarte's, on Bradford St.

Where can I find a map of Provincetown?
Click here for a fully printable map of Provincetown

What about transportation to and from Provincetown?
Getting to and from the conference is your responsibility, but I have provided information about buses, taxis and a car service. Everything's posted here.

How soon can I arrive?
The Inn is fully booked earlier in the week of the Conference. If you donlt have a room and wish to come early, check out the Alternative Accommodations page. It's a great way to take advantage of what P-town has to offer in June: the beach, biking, kayaking, exploring the shops and galleries, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, whale watching, fishing, and satisfying your seafood cravings at fried clam shacks as well as upscale restaurants.


Where can I find information about the Provincetown galleries?
Encaustic-specific info here. Gallery Guides should be available at the Inn.

What's the weather like in Provincetown?
Normally, the temperature range in early June is is in the high 60s to low 70s during the day, and in the low 60s to high 50s at night. But that's an average. It can get hotter or colder. And the weather can turn on a dime.

So how should I dress?
I'd bring a light jacket or a sweater, a turtleneck, a t-shirt and a tank top; pants and shorts; sunglasses and an umbrella. In other words, dress for New England weather, which encompases a meteorological range. You can safely leave the boots at home, however: The only thing you don't have to plan for this time of year is snow.

Is there a dress code?
Nope. Wear what you like, whether it's a sundress, jeans and a t-shirt, a suit, or cutoffs. Your choice. One thing I would suggest is that you have a sweater, shawl or other coverup for the Mayflower room, where the all-Conference events take place as well as many demos. It's a big room, and the cooling is uneven, so to get the warm areas cool, the cool areas may be cold.

Does the Conference provide food?
Coffee and tea are provided all day, every day, of the three-day Conference. A fabulous buffet lunch is provided on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, where you'll find a selecton of meats, cheeses, vegetables. pastas and salads. (Both Cherie and I are vegetarians, so we make sure the food offerings are good.) On Saturday evening there is an opt-in dinner buffet offered by the Provincetown Inn, which allows you to make an easy transition between the afternoon sessions and the evening keynote talk. Info to come closer to the Conference.

For those staying at the Inn there's a breakfast room where you can get a nice selection of breakfast foods. You may be asked to show your room card if the staff doesn't recognize you.

Pre- and Post-Conference workshops do not provide lunch, however there's a good sandwich shop nearby and a Castle Hill staffer comes by to take orders. Lunch is about $10, but that's between you and what you select from the menu.

When will you have information about the opt-in Saturday dinner?
Posting shortly. Look for a link on the Home page.