See Photos of this years event >> The 2010 Vaillancourt Collector’s Weekend was one of the best ever! We wish to thank the over 100 collectors who traveled from all over the United States to our Sutton Studios to attend the workshops, lectures, receptions and dinner, California, Ohio, Texas, and Missouri were just some of the states represented. It was wonderful to see Collector’s we have known for years and those attending for the first time. For the three days, 62 of our most faithful worked with the Vaillancourt Artists to create their own Santa. Most followed the prescribed pattern but several brave and hearty souls ventured into their own designs. Steve and Karen Martin and Wendy and Kate Parrish have attended virtually every painting workshop. Our Friday night Christmas Revels included Judi making “Smoking Bishop”, a spiced punch featured in “A Christmas Carol”. The delicious meat pies and Christmas music by the Borelli’s rounded out a very festive evening. The Saturday Valentine lecture by Bill Wallace and the Halloween lecture by Bruce Elsass were not only entertaining but also extremely informative. Judi surprised both lecturers by creating limited edition pieces based upon their presentations. As usual Judi had the collectors on the edge of their seats with her detailed presentation on the illustrators of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” throughout the years. Saturday evening the attendees of the Reception were greeted by a bigger than life “Cut Out” painted by Judi of Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, which awaited their faces for a great photo-op and lots of laughter. The wonderful “Christmas Feast” featured a lecture by Joel Brattin, of the Fellman Dickens Collection of WPI, on Charles Dickens. Once again a dinner participant was chosen to design a Santa with Judi for the next Collector’s Weekend. This year’s lucky winner was Steve Martin a good friend and long time collector. The evening ended with a robust round of Christmas carols. You cannot end a discussion of the weekend without acknowledging the employees of Vaillancourt who worked diligently on all aspects of the weekend including preparing all of the luncheons and Sunday breakfast using age-old family recipes. Their attention to culinary detail will not be surpassed! Order The Coffee Table Photography Book from 2010’s Collector’s Weekend! Judi Preparing her Presentation for Saturday’s Lecture. Friday, April 23, 2010 9:00am Registration with continental breakfast 10:00am – 4:00pm Painting Workshop #1 Create your own “one of a kind” Santa 12:00 – 1:00pm Lunch Buffet 6:00pm – 8:00pm Dickens’ Christmas Revels and Low Number introductions Saturday, April 24, 2010 10:00am – 4:00pm Painting Workshop #2 Create your own “one of a kind” Santa ($160 + shipping of piece) 10:00am – 12:00pm “America Loves Valentine’s: Valentine’s Postcards Through the Eyes of Someone Who doesn’t Know Much”William Wallace, Executive Director of Worcester Historical Museum “The Illustrators of Charles Dickens”Judi Vaillancourt 12:15pm – 1:15pm Lunch Buffet 1:30pm – 4:00pm “Hobgoblin Halloween”Bruce Elsass: Noted Halloween Collector, Designer and Artist “A Glimmer of a New Idea”Gary Vaillancourt 6:30pm Fezziwig’s Reception and Christmas Feast Sunday, April 25, 2010 9:00am Collector’s Breakfast Buffet 10:00am Painting Workshop #3 Create your own “one of a kind” Santa Looking back at past Collector’s Weekends CW2019 CW2018 CW2017 CW2016 CW2015 CW2014 CW2013 CW2012 CW2011 CW2010 CW2009 CW2008