Art Visits Nature–spend time in a living museum!
A quiet time to create and immerse oneself in the great outdoors.
In the quiet of Sandy Neck Beach Park, the rustic cottage at the halfway point stands in the middle of the dunes, marsh and water. It provides solitude, scenic landscapes and an endless source of beauty and inspiration.
The Town of Barnstable | ArtsBarnstable and the Hyannis HyArts and Barnstable Village Cultural Districts in partnership with the Cape Cod Art Center, offers a variety of day excursions & workshops to this unspoiled landscape.
APPLICATION FORM
2026 DATES - SPRING AND FALL
SANDY NECK BEACH ARTIST EXCURSIONS & WORKSHOPS
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Creatives can sign on for a 'traditional' excursion to bring their supplies to paint, photograph or write in this special setting. Prepared with their own art supplies and fortification for the day, participants are able to work and explore on their own.
Workshops are led by knowledgeable teachers with a singular focus and instruction/guidance/critique throughout the program. Artists will bring their own supplies and fortification for the day.
Art Experiences are intended to provide locals and visitors who are creatives at heart, seeking a guided 'creative' experience, time in this 'living museum' with a hands-on opportunity to use a variety of materials for this inspirational journey. All supplies will be provided, including water and snacks.
WHEN CAN I GO?
Trips are scheduled in spring and in the fall as the colors in the marsh are heightened by the sun.
HOW DO WE GET THERE? HOW lONG DO WE GET TO STAY?
Participants will be transported by a Beach Ranger for the 3.5 mile drive through the dunes.
The excursions are a total of four or six hours including the trip to and from the House at the Halfway Point.
RACHEL JONES WORKSHOP INFORMATION
Photography Workshop – Art Visits Nature
Join fine art photographer Rachel Jones on
Friday, September 26, 2026 for a hands-on photography workshop at Sandy Neck Beach Park.Explore the textures and tones of Cape Cod’s iconic dune landscape while developing your eye for composition, light, and creative vision. This experience is perfect for photographers of all levels — DSLR, mirrorless, or smartphone.
Participants will travel by Beach Ranger through the dunes to the rustic cottage at the halfway point, surrounded by marsh, water, and expansive coastal views.
Workshop Highlights:
~ Scenic truck ride deep into the dunes
~ 3 hours of guided + solo photography
~ Group discussion at the House at the Halfway Point
~ Focus on composition, light, and creative visionBring:
Camera, sturdy shoes, water/snacks, optional tripod or filtersApply here:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/TownOfBarnstable1/sandyneckbeachartexcursionapplicationOffered through the Town of Barnstable | ArtsBarnstable, Hyannis HyArts and Barnstable Village Cultural Districts in partnership with the Cape Cod Art Center.
#PhotographyWorkshop #SNK #CapeCodPhotography #ArtVisitsNature #CreativeCommunity
MELLISSA MORRIS WORKSHOP INFORMATION
Conversation with Nature with Mellissa Morris
FALL, 2026, Date TBA
A guided mind-body integration experience to evoke your creativity and replenish your senses.
With gentle presence and kindness Mellissa will take you on an immersive journey through your outer and inner self on an excursion out to Sandy Neck. Mellissa will teach you and lead you to create “art” in dialogue with the Sandy Neck environment and natural elements. Guided prompts, meditations, and insights as to how to re-connect with your playful sensibilities, encounter the world through fresh eyes, an open heart, and restore yourself.
Mellissa invites you to explore shoshin’ philiopshy. Shoshin is a Zen Buddhist concept meaning "beginner's mind". It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and a lack of preconceptions when studying something, even if you are at an advanced level. It's about approaching new experiences with the curiosity and enthusiasm of a novice.
NO PREVIOUS ART or MEDITATION EXPERIENCE NEEDED.
Mellissa is a local established artist. Exhibiting and teaching all over Cape Cod and the New England Area. A Master Artist, certified 500+ Yoga and Meditation Instructor, Certified Yoga Dance Instructor, and Master Reiki Practitioner. Mellissa currently occupies the Old Selectman Building in Barnstable where she is open to the public; providing behind the scenes looks at her art practice, offering specialty classes, and exhibiting a revolving Gallery of her and selected guests Art Work.
More about Mellissa and her work can be found at: MellissaMorris.com
APPLICATION FORM
SANDY NECK BEACH ARTIST EXCURSIONS
& WORKSHOPS
| 2026 Dates | |
|---|---|
| Friday, May 15 | 6 hour TRADITIONAL, 9:00am start |
| Saturday, May 16 | 6 hour TRADITIONAL, 9:00am start |
| Friday, Sept. 26 DUNE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP with Rachel Jones | 6 hour WORKSHOP, 9:00am start |
| TBA - A Conversation with Nature special excursion led by Mellissa Morris | 3 to 3.5 hour EXPERIENCE, 9:00am start |
APPLICATION FORM
2026 PROGRAM DATES!
SANDY NECK BEACH ARTIST EXCURSIONS & WORKSHOPS
FAQs / Additional Information
From the mouths of the artists...
PRIOR PARTICIPANT COMMENTS:
“I thought our time on Sandy Neck was great! We had an extremely high tide and the house was almost completely surrounded by water, as well as some fog, both of which made for some interesting photo opportunities. We also had periods of blue sky, which allowed us to get up on the dunes, for views of both sides of the peninsula."
"I went to Google Earth and found the House at the Halfway Point at:
41 degrees 43’ 56.09”N 70 degrees 19’ 56.07”W. It is easiest to find the road running between the marsh and dunes and follow it along until reaching those coordinates. We crossed the dunes on a road east of the house, which is also visible from Google Earth. “
“Surely a unique opportunity to see a beautiful and remote part of the cape. For me the view from high on the dunes had an other worldly and primitive quality that is difficult to encounter these days.”
“It was truly a great day. Just one of the highlights…while we were high on the dunes, hundreds of swallows were swarming right above us!”
“I spent so much time exploring that I only had time for some sketches, but I just downloaded my photos and everyone could become a painting if I could paint faster! I can’t wait to start working on the sketches and the best of the photos! This experience has been so worthwhile to me. I would love to return as often as possible.”
“It was a wonderful experience! From the time we were out to the naturalists expert commentary on birds, animals, plants, etc-to the beauty of the whole area-I was awe struck. Im so glad I signed up for it. “
“If you like to shoot landscapes, I’d recommend this program. It is a great experience with nice people and an awesome location for photographers."
"I especially like the Great Marsh. The dunes and beach are interesting and beautiful in their own way, but the marsh really does it for me. I hope to photograph the marsh at regular intervals over the course of the next year, in different seasons. I’d like to document the subtle changes. “
“I so enjoyed my art trip to Sandy Neck. I spent the day at the House at the Halfway Point with a small group of congenial painters; the scenery was spectacular, and the weather was cooperative. It was terrific!"
“I loved it. My plan going out was to do a pencil sketch an hour but the colors were so amazing. I couldn’t stand just working in graphite so I broke out my little travel box. So what I ended up doing was a small painting every couple of hours throughout the day. I would wander and photograph whatever appealed to me compositionally, texture or color wise. Then I filled in details back in my studio the day after, while the experience was still fresh in my heart and mind.”