PORT TOWNSEND — A downtown gallery owner, hoping to encourage artists to tap a more expressive vein through a series of workshops, was encouraged by the inaugural workshop last weekend.

“Years ago, when I was in college, I started to have this dream about art retreats, a therapy-based center where people can create and do other things like yoga and massage,” said Anna Nasset, who has operated Artisans on Taylor for four years.

“This fulfills that dream.”

Twenty-two women from around the nation participated in the first Artology Retreat, subtitled “Sugar and Spice,” a three-day event that ended Saturday.

The women received instruction from three teachers, and participated in discussions and activities to help move the creative process along — and at the end of the workshop left with finished pieces.

“It’s been a beautiful time,” Nasset said.

“I really didn’t know how it would go.”

Nasset had the ambition to organize the workshop for some time, but she was kicked into action after Artfest, which operated out of Fort Worden State Park for 13 years, was discontinued after the 2012 season.

“When Artfest went away, I saw the need to continue with a luxury-based program that took advantage of the Port Townsend location, which is magical,” Nasset said.

She said that several Artfest attendees signed up for Artology without missing a beat.

“I went to Artfest for many years and was really sad when it ended,” said Sylvan Bourgette of Seattle.

“I came to connect with the other women and the other artists and take some time to remember what keeps me inspired.”

Ginger Deverell, a graphic artist from Vancouver, British Columbia, said it was helpful.

“I’ve learned to relax,” Deverell said.

“I’ve learned to let go of my art rather than hold it closely, which is a different kind of challenge for me.”

Part of the relaxation process is to experiment with background techniques and “to use colors that you are highly uncomfortable with,” Deverell said.

Any participants willing to pay the $680 fee (plus lodging) can join in. There are no entrance exams.

“A lot of people come into the gallery and say ‘I wish I could do that,” but anyone has the ability to create,” Nasset said.

“They just need the opportunity, which we give them here.”

Participants range in age from 30 to 60 and include skilled artists making a living in the field to people who have never done it before.

Nasset hopes to sponsor several workshops a year, and some of them will allow men.

“This kind of event tends to attract women,” she said.

“Along with the new techniques they learn, they develop new friendships and open up to each other,” Nasset added.

“The sharing process has been an incredible experience,” she said.

“I think we could have men in here in the future, but the sharing and the storytelling and the art tends to be more feminine.”

During the workshop, many who participated were mothers, Nasset said.

“They are saying, ‘All the rest of the year, I have kids crawling up and down off me.

“This time is for me.’”

For more information, see http://artisansontaylor.com/.

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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.