Drum Making • Weekend Beach Retreat
on the Beautiful Olympic Peninsula: NEXT WORKSHOP DATES: October 6-8, 2023 (Fri-Sun, 3 days, 2 nights), or email relax@bullmanbeach.com if you would like to schedule a private workshop.
Photo: 15-in drum made by Melissa Peterson and painted by her friend, using a traditional geometric Ozette pattern.
ABOUT THE RETREAT:
Venture to a secluded beach hideaway for a weekend-long drum-making workshop. The workshop will be instructed by Melissa Peterson, traditional Makah basket-maker and artist with 35-years of drum making experience, and hosted at Bullman Beach Inn (5 miles east of Neah Bay, WA). Travel along the scenic Strait of Juan de Fuca & settle in for the weekend in cozy and clean beachfront lodging. This weekend workshop is designed to offer the opportunity to learn about this unique skill and put it into practice making your own drum. Each person will make a 15-in Deerskin drum, and a beater to play it. If extra time allows, you will also create a miniature deerskin drum ornament. Workshop space is on site at Bullman Beach Inn, just steps away from your room and the beach. Leave distractions behind and immerse yourself in the natural and inspiring landscape while crafting a beautiful keepsake. Materials: All materials and handouts provided. Capped at 6 participants*.
ABOUT MELISSA PETERSON:
Melissa Peterson, tribal name walsebot, is a Makah tribal elder. She is a long time resident on the Makah Reservation in Neah Bay, WA.
Her life work is preserving tribal culture through practicing contemporary and utilitarian basketry, drum making, and various arts and crafts. She enjoys singing and dancing her traditional family tupot.
Melissa is a cultural instructor who shares her culture with interested students who want to experience tribal cultural arts by a tribal member.
Drum making is one of Melissa’s specialties. As a singer and drummer, she knows how to create a drum that works as a musical instrument.
You are invited to experience a drum making class with an experienced drum maker and tribal cultural arts instructors.
Weekend Retreat Workshop includes:
- Workshop led by Melissa Peterson ($175/person – paid separately from lodging)
- Two nights lodging at Bullman Beach Inn at special retreat rates
(Rooms 2, 4 and 5 have one queen bed and a hide-a-bed couch. Room 1 has two twin beds and a hide-a-bed couch. All rooms have full kitchen, living room and full bath. No smoking indoors, no pets. See website for more info & images.) - S’mores by the fire (Saturday, weather permitting)
Retreat and Lodging:
Participants receive $15 off our regular nightly rates for October (see regular rates here: https://bullmanbeach.com/view-rooms/). Rooms sleep 3 people maximum (see arrangements above and on website).
** Participants will not be placed at random with other participants in rooms. Those wanting to share a room must register together.
Retreat Schedule
Friday, October 6
Check-in 2:30pm or after unless arranged in advance
6:00 pm
Meet & greet, materials discussion & prep led by Melissa Peterson
Saturday, October 7
9am – 12pm
Workshop: material prep, begin working on drum
12pm-1pm
Lunch/break (on your own)
1pm – 6pm
Workshop continues
6pm – 8pm
Dinner on your own (Optional order-in dinner from Calvin’s Crabhouse based on availability – not included in registration price) / Free time
8pm
DIY beach bonfire (We will supply wood and s’mores fixings – weather &workshop permitting, you are also welcome to start one earlier)
Sunday, October 8
9am – 11am (12noon if extra time is necessary)
Workshop: Finish drums if not yet complete
11:30am
All rooms must be vacated by 11:30am unless you are staying an additional night.
Ideas for early arrivals / extended stays:
Check-in on Friday is 2:30pm or after unless arranged in advance or unless staying the night before. Some attendees may choose to add a night or two onto either end of the workshop retreat (you will receive the retreat nightly rate for a night on either end). You could even fit in one or two of these activities with a 2:30pm Friday arrival:
– Enjoy the Makah Reservation:
- Cape Flattery (Northwestern-most point in the lower 48) (11 miles away, trail is ~1.5mi roundtrip)
- Hobuck Beach
- Tsoo-Yess Beach
- Shi Shi Beach Trail (13 miles from BBI, ~4mi roundtrip, more if you walk to Point of the Arches)
- Makah Museum / Makah Cultural & Research Center (Give yourself at least an hour. Gift shop open during museum hours. There is a basket exhibition currently on display.)
- Surf, beachcomb, hike, birdwatch
- We also highly recommend taking all the opportunities you have to walk along Bullman Beach or to watch the waves roll in from the warmth and coziness of your room. No need to venture far, or at all 🙂
A bit further away, but also perhaps on the way depending on which way you’re coming from:
- Ozette Trail(s)
- Hurricane Ridge
- Lake Crescent
- La Push
- Rialto Beach
- Hoh Rainforest
Click on the “Explore” tab on our website for more ideas on where and what to explore.
CALL 360.645.2306 to RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
Email or call for questions. relax@bullmanbeach.com
*Depending on interest / room arrangements we may be able to open a couple more spots for participants.