Places to go for In-Person Art Retreats!

I am Kristin Williams and a HUGE fan of in-person art-making and learning. I owned and ran Ephemera Paducah in Paducah, Kentucky for about 10 years and am currently taking a “Gap Year” in 2023 to focus on friendships, travel, family, and art-making. 

I am pleased to report that so far in 2023 I’ve had two delightful experiences with small group get-togethers making art! One was a long weekend in Tennessee with some teacher friends who I thought should know each other better. We ate, drank, hiked, and sat around in the evenings and created. It was blissful and informative. Organically, each person shared information or expertise that ended up helping out someone else on the trip. The best report was everyone went home and had the same conversation around their kitchen table the first night back - not one person got on each other’s nerves. Bwahahah! #winning

Sunny Carvalho's journal spread about a lady we found in a year book. 

A few weeks ago, one of my Paducah Art Tribe assembled a small group at her house -- friends we made through Ephemera Paducah -- and we sat outside on a gorgeous Spring day painting fabric. It was glorious and I have a great stash of original fabric to use in my stitching. Win-Win. 

I'm so happy to be painting with friends I didn't notice it on my face!

Making art with friends is the best. 

If you are missing hanging out at Ephemera Paducah, here are some ways to ease that pain and make art with some old or new friends!

Starting “at home” please get on the email lists of your local library, Ag-Extension Office, art center /museum, and art stores. You will be surprised that there is probably a local class you would enjoy. Or, consider teaching one!! My guess is if you’ve been into Mixed Media or Art Journaling for a while, you know more than you give yourself credit for. Offer up a 2-3 hour afternoon class to explore something like Stenciling or Art Journaling. 

One of those places probably also has a room for rent at a reasonable price if you’d like to have a regular meet-up for mixed media lovers. Imagine a weekly or monthly play date with your art buds. Heaven!

Since closing up shop, I’ve fielded messages from folks yearning for the in-person instruction we provided at Ephemera Paducah and the opportunity to find other creatives. I started compiling a list, and the good news is there are more places than I had originally estimated.

I thought it would be useful to share it with you and, PLEASE, add others in the comment section as I am sure I left some off.

This list ranges from once-a-year events to 2-week International Trips to plain old fun weekend get-togethers to hang out and work on your projects. So many of these places are on my "Bucket List" to visit. 

International Art Retreats

The Blue Walk - My husband, John, and I had a WONDERFUL experience with the Blue Walk tour company in 2019 when we went to Greece and Mary Beth Shaw was the Artist Instructor for the trip. And just got back from Amsterdam and Paris with the same tour guides and teacher. Jeanette and Suzy are the co-owners of the company and curate a “trip of a lifetime” every time. Mary Beth has taught for them in Italy, Paris, Amsterdam, and Greece and is teaching in Spain and Switzerland in 2024!!! The Blue Walk’s forte is “walking vacations based on a balance of adventure and relaxation. Art vacations cultivate immersive and inspiring experiences. This is what we offer. Our tours are soul-satisfying vacations enriched by the opportunity to grow physically and creatively.”

The Blue Walk tour in Greece, 2019

Essence of Mulranny - Mary Beth will be back in Ireland in 2024. She RAVED about this experience and place after teaching there in 2022. Mulranny is a small seaside village on Clew Bay in Co. Mayo. It is located at the dramatic western edge of Ireland, the end boundary of Europe. “Here, land and sea meet at the threshold of a powerful creative adventure.” They have an impressive lineup of 2023 Art Retreats.

Perigord Retreats in France - painting retreats hosted in the Perigord and Quercy, France. Includes everything in a luscious setting. StencilGirl Designer Rae Missigman is teaching there in June and in October you can catch Designer Cathy Nichols!

United States

A Work of Heart owned by Andrea Chebeleu in San Jose, California. I’ve taught at Andrea’s Shop/Studio and she has a fantastic set-up. On top of a wonderful library of online workshops and events, Andrea has in-person workshops that she and traveling artist-instructors teach. She has been in business for more than 20 years!

Way Art Yonder Studio owned by Jana Freeman in Jamul, California is about 25 miles east of downtown San Diego. Jana offers a variety of classes and a stellar lineup of instructors. Hospitality is very important to Jana and they curate a wonderful experience on their home property. 

2 Kat Studios is owned by Kat Kirby in Prescott, Arizona. Kat is a Soul Collage Facilitator, Bookmaker, Mixed Media Lover, and Creativity Coach. She teaches as well as hosts traveling artist-instructors. 

Everything Scrapbook and Stamps is owned by Michele McCosh in Wellington, Florida. Just announced that Dina Wakley is teaching there at the end of June!

Artistic Artifacts - Artistic Artifacts is a creative resource for fabric, fiber, and mixed media art products sold online and in our shop in Alexandria, VA. StencilGirl Designer Gwen Lafleur has a workshop coming up soon!

Jeanne Oliver Studios in Castle Rock, Colorado. Exquisitely curated workshops in Jeanne Oliver’s home. 

Studio Joy is owned by encaustic artist Amanda Jolley in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri. The studio was once a repair shop until Amanda and her husband converted it into the perfect live/work space. 

Yellow Brick Road Studio owned by Kerry Molina is getting ready to host its 7th Annual Creativity Camp July 17 - 21 in Gainesville, Virginia.

Kara Bullock Art School in Tustin, California offers monthly in-studio workshops featuring oil, acrylic, and portrait painting. She and traveling artist-instructors teach in the heart of wine country. 

Hunter Moon Homestead - in central Idaho. “Our artist retreats and healing workshops are designed to nourish your inner artist, guiding you through a journey of self-reflection and producing original artwork under the expert guidance of our instructors. Choose from our range of pond view cabins, furnished canvas glamping tents, or pitch your own tent on a raised wooden platform and experience a moment of tranquility in the heart of nature.”

Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. Mary Beth Shaw has taught here a number of times and absolutely raves about the facilities. She has a class coming up July 28 - 30, 2023 called Living Mixed Media. They have a huge catalog of classes from fiber to mixed media to voice!

Not to confuse you, but 

Shakerag Workshops offers a series of arts classes for adults in June each year atop the Cumberland Plateau in Sewanee, Tennessee. Instructors from around the world offer classes in a variety of media - knitting, basketry, book arts, clay, digital arts, felting, fiber, mixed media, jewelry, wood carving, and painting.

Art & Soul Retreats run by Glenny Moir 2023 & 2024 in Portland, Oregon. They have tons of great instructors over about a week. Lots of opportunities and Portland is such a cool arty town. Before I started Ephemera Paducah I enjoyed numerous Art and Soul Retreats. 

Craftin’ and Chatting with Lori and Elaine - These gals put on fun crop-style weekends in Georgia where you “craft, eat, sleep, and repeat!” Bring whatever you are working on and create away with other artistic and crafty folks. You’ll see scrapbooking, junk journaling, card making, and even diamond dot art painting and knitting. The next one coming up is Glamping! Join their Facebook group to stay in the loop. 

ArtHaus New Haven in New Haven, Missouri is opening the first week in June. Stephanie Gutierrez and Kathi Bell are embarking on an exciting new venture. Keep an eye on their website which should be live in early May. "ArtHaus New Haven is an innovative art studio that offers a holistic approach to inspire your creativity through mixed media, fabric arts, sculpture, watercolor, collage, art journaling, and more. They will offer weekly and monthly art classes, workshops, and retreats for beginner and seasoned artists, designed to nurture your emotional health and well-being."

Art Makers Denver run by Helen Rice, is a 3-day event in July in Downtown Denver, Colorado. Painting, metalsmithing, mixed media, and even doodling!

Sacred Makers Retreat at Squam at Rockywold Deephaven Camps in Holderness, New Hampshire, and hosted by Kiala and Damon Givehand June 7-11, 2023. Fiber, Mixed Media, Bookbinding, Paper Cutting, and Maker-in-Residence, StencilGirl Designer Tiffany Goff-Smith. Of course that is going to rock!

Squam - Spring and Fall gatherings at Rockywold Deephaven Camps in Holderness, New Hampshire. Knitting, fiber, and soul-searching in a rustic setting.

Dillman’s Art Retreat Workshops in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin (a resort on the White Sand Lake in Northern Wisconsin 12 miles from Minocqua) is featuring over 20 internationally known instructors teaching courses in watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, mixed media, collage, sketching, marketing and more in lakeside studios in 2023. 

Hudson River Valley Art Retreats in upstate New York. Originally founded by the Stevens Family, Hudson River Valley Art Workshops (HRVAW) began welcoming painters and instructors from around the world for summer art workshops and retreats in 1982. When current owners, Kim & Mark LaPolla, took over the business in 2005, they not only expanded the season but introduced art quilt and fiber art workshops to the region as well.

Madeline Island School of the Arts is offering workshops in multiple locations including Santa Fe, New Mexico, and La Pointe, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior. They world-class workshops in studio painting, plein air painting, quilting, photography, fiber arts, mixed media, and writing.

Pacific Northwest Art School in Coupeville, Washington is dedicated to bringing exceptional visual arts education to our community and beyond, by bringing nationally and internationally known faculty to their students in the mediums of fiber arts, mixed media, painting, and photography. 

Mabel Dodge Luhan House hosts a variety of artists in charming Taos, New Mexico. As a historic inn and conference center which offers retreat-style meetings and artistic, literary, and personal growth workshops, the Mabel Dodge Luhan House continues to build on its 80-year history of personal, intellectual, and artistic innovation and creativity. 

Penland School of Craft is located about an hour from Asheville, North Carolina in Bakersville, North Carolina. Each summer, the school offers about 100 one- and two-week workshops in books and paper, clay, drawing and painting, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking and letterpress, textiles, wood, and other media.

John C. Campbell Folk School is located in Brasstown, North Carolina (in the western part of the state) and offers year-round weeklong, and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, and more.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Their workshops are designed to provide creative opportunities for anyone who wants to learn new skills and be energized and inspired. Weekend, one-week and two-week sessions offer a concentrated experience of working in a professionally equipped studio with dedicated and talented instructors and other students. Currently they are offering everything from basket weaving to figure painting to chair making to glass jewelry. 

Those are the ones I am aware of, but please, add others in the comments where you enjoy attending or teaching in-person workshops & retreats!!

Whatever you do, keep creating!!!

Xoxo

Kristin 

Be sure to snag these 31 projects from "The Artful Holiday"

Mary Beth has teamed up with Julie Fei-Fan Balzer of Balzer Designs and 17 other artists to help you get a jump on your holidays with a joy-filled workshop called The Artful Holiday. 

Act now and use the code EARLYARTFUL to get 15% off! 

This project-based online workshop could also have been called “The Art of Celebrating.”  All 19 talented artists involved were asked to think outside of the box — beyond the usual holidays and the usual projects — and share their best ideas with you.  

This self-paced online workshop offers a wide range of projects — printmaking, collage, assemblage, sewing, mixed media, painting, and more!  

And then each Wednesday, Julie will offer a “mash-up” project.  These are step-by-step video tutorials where she borrows techniques, materials, and ideas from the previous lessons and transforms them into something totally new.

Other details: 

• You have lifetime access to all content.  Watch anytime.
• A new project tutorial will be released every day in August 2022.  If you sign up after the start date of class, you will get immediate access to any lessons that have already been released.
• Lessons are delivered via video, with several teachers also offering supporting PDF instructions and information.
• This workshop is an easy way to learn from a wide range of teachers and try out some techniques or areas of art-making that may be new to you.
• Although this class is project-based, we believe you will find yourself returning to all of the wonderful art-making techniques over and over again, no matter what you make.
• You can watch and rewatch the videos, speed them up, and slow them down.
• There are more than thirty step-by-step project tutorials.  Hours of art instruction that are sure to inspire you!
• You get true mixed media content — printmaking, collage, jewelry-making, paper arts, book arts, sewing, assemblage, and more!

Don't forget! Use the code EARLYARTFUL to get 15% off! 

Reserve your spot today! 

New Virtual Class: StencilGirl Explores Claybord

"Everything is an opportunity in art." 

~ Mary Beth Shaw

Claybord is a magical substrate for making mixed media art. In this project-based class, you will learn how to use ink, pens, pencils, paint, a silhouette, and StencilGirl® stencils as you decide what you want to build in each dramatic layer. 

• Stylish silhouettes that work well for this mixed media project
• Carve, paint, and ink a richly layered background
• Enhance the artwork with pencil and pen marks
• Add grunge and fluorescence 
• Bonus 1: Delve deeper into carving
• Bonus 2: Experiment with resist techniques
• Learn to make stenciled elements yours

This is an online class via StencilGirl Studio. 

Students have lifetime access and may download the video and PDF.

MORE INFO/ SIGN UP

Art Bundle for Good 4 is on sale right this minute!

StencilGirl is so pleased to tell you that Art Bundle for Good #4 is here and Mary Beth is super excited to have contributed her Simple Improv Bookmaking and Gel Printing & Printmaking classes to it.

Even if you have Mary Beth's 2 classes, this is an amazing opportunity to get 96 more art resources at about $1 per course! 

This sweet deal and investment in your creativity is available NOW, but it won’t be around for long. The sale ends in 5 days. 

There are $4000 worth of courses, workbooks, and other resources on topics like painting, watercolor, calligraphy, drawing, mixed media arts, creativity, and more all bundled together for one low price.

25% of the Art Bundle profits are going to support Courageous Kitchen, a Bangkok based charity helping refugees. Get some top art learning resources from many of the top artists AND do some good at the same time.

Here is the link to the website:

GO TO THE ART BUNDLE FOR GOOD

The Art Bundle for Good is the perfect investment in yourself.

PRODUCT LIST Compassionate Flow ~ Tamara Laporte Abstract Mojo - Unit 1 ~ Tracy Verdugo One Volume of Real Time Live ~ Flora Bowley 25 Days to Better Drawings ~ Matt Fussell Starting out with Pastel Pencils ~ Colin Bradley Gel Printing & Printmaking ~ Mary Beth Shaw Wisdom Journal Class ~ Jennibellie Soulful Portraits III ~ Renata Loree Watercolor Dreams ~ Katrina Koltes Perspective & Architecture Drawing Course Bundle ~ PencilKings Child Portraiture in Encaustic ~ Lora Murphy Bye Bye Perfection - Just Go for a Walk ~ Jenny Grant Wedding Calligraphy Bootcamp ~ Loveleigh Loops Close-Up Art Workshop ~ Annie Hamman Cosmic Earth Allies: Exploration of the Divine Through Art ~ Beth K. Bedbury A Year Of Rumi ~ Effy Wild Dreaming on Canvas ~ Deanna Jinjoe 8 Simple Techniques to Create Dynamic Texture in Your Paintings ~ Donna Jean Engstrom Victorian Lady Pastel Course ~ Colin Bradley Ink Markers: Food Drawing and Illustration ~ Maha Atef Adorable Watercolor Faces for Beginners ~ Kimma Smith Rainbow Journal ~ Iris Fritschi-Cussens Sirona ~ Mystic Spring Studios The Emergency Kit for Artists and Dreamers ~ Andrea Schroeder Tiny Portraits, Tiny Palette ~ Jerney Marisha Beginning Steps to Beautiful Hand Drawn Mandalas ~ Jane Snedden Peever Cosmic Portal Animation Artistry ~ Diana Riukas Paper-Cadabra ~ Cathy Nichols Birds in Colored Pencil ~ Val Webb Paint Yourself Happy! Intuitive Painting Course ~ Debby Stroud Paint your own Traditional Christmas cards ~ Andy Walker Photo Therapy ~ Shelley Klammer "Cats" Online Class ~ Carla Sonheim 30 Days of Grace ~ Alena Hennessy Mother Nature ~ Katrina Koltes Cat Portrait Pastel Course ~ Colin Bradley The Birth of a Venus Workshop ~ Renata Loree Spring Magnolias ~ Sue Young - sujatistudio.com) Connecting With Color: Color Theory for Nature Journaling ~ Kelly Johnson - Alcohol Ink Zendoodle Fluid Art with Pen and Ink ~ Kellie Chasse Petals & Portraits ~ Renee Mueller Wild Roses ~ Laly Mille Working with Card Decks in Your Visual Journaler Practice ~ Terri Altschul The Magic of Tissue Paper in Mixed Media ~ Shawn Petite Escape into the magical world of the fairies ~ Alex K 20+ Magical Watercolor Techniques ~ Kimma Smith Ink and Watercolor Botanicals ~ Shai Bearden Make Realistic Floral Necklaces Using Polymer Clay ~ Maha Atef How to Paint Contemporary Acrylic Paintings ~ Malcolm Dewey Pencil Drawing - The Guide to Graphite ~ Matt Fussell Drawing Frida - A Pastel Portrait Workshop ~ Juna Biagioni Watercolor Workout ~ Angela Fehr Painting as a Spiritual Practice: Entering The Creative Flow ~ Angela Gollat - angelagollat.com) - Value $76 Autumn Fairy ~ Tamara Laporte Creative Souls Sketchbook: A Song For You ~ Christa Forrest Simple Improv Bookmaking ~ Mary Beth Shaw The heART of Autumn ~ Andrea Gomoll Create Your Own Affirmations ~ Amanda Coates Flamingo Moon Dance ~ Christina Miles Mixed Media Intuitive Art Journaling ~ Nadine Larder Simple Steps to More Stunning Mandalas ~ Jane Snedden Peever Art Journal Shots: Atomic Lotus ~ Shinjini Mehrotra Starry Nights: Paint the night sky with me! ~ Nikol Wikman Nature Art Seasons ~ Ildikó Karsay Abstract Art ~ inspired by Jackson Pollock) ~ Patricia Petersen Mastering Skintones in Acrylics ~ Ashley Picanco Art and Nature ~ Francessa ~ Lou) Chalmers How to Pick the Perfect Color Palette ~ JoDitt Williams Simple, Effective Drawing Methods for Hands ~ Matthew Dewey The 30-Day Journey Within ~ Kiala Givehand 7 Layouts for Dynamic Composition ~ Donna Jean Engstrom Pen and Ink Cottage with Watercolour Pencils ~ Colin Bradley - colinbradleyart.com) - Value $19 Transparent Layers in Mixed Media ~ Shawn Petite Posca Beginner Painting Course ~ Drew Brophy Paint It Black ~ Jerney Marisha Project Planning for Creatives ~ Jessica Sanders Birds in Watercolor & Beyond ~ Val Webb How to Digitize a Hand Drawn Design Or Coloring Book Page to Publish and Sell Online ~ Shelley Hitz Teacup Christmas ~ Mystic Spring Studios Poster Journal Class ~ Jennibellie Drawing From Photographs Using The Grid Method ~ Robin Slee The Secrets to Drawing ~ Matt Fussell Birds with Ildy ~ Ildikó Karsay A Heart Full of Happy ~ Tamara Laporte Magic Colors ~ Shalina Chranya Girly Faces: A Drawing/Coloring Activity Book for All Ages ~ Cat Whipple Tell your story ~ Katrina Koltes - katrinakoltes.com) - Value $38 Stamp Carving 101 ~ Angela Goodhart Make Projecting Animals Pendants and their Molds ~ Maha Atef Paint your own Contemporary Christmas cards ~ Andy Walker Paint a Castle with Watercolour ~ Colin Bradley Motion of the Torso with The Bean | Figure Drawing ~ Stan Prokopenko 5 Ways to Create Glorious Texture with Gesso ~ Donna Jean Engstrom Create Beautiful Watercolor Palettes with Ease ~ Kimma Smith Draw By Number - An Easy Way to Create Awesome Art ~ Jane Snedden Peever 10 Ways to Bring Back Your Creativity ~ Keren Tamir Sunset Watercolor Painting for beginners ~ Kellie Chasse Freehand Mandalas for Meditation ~ Sacil Armstrong

GO TO THE ART BUNDLE FOR GOOD

The Art Bundle is backed by a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Try out the courses for a couple of weeks. If you are not happy, John B., from the Art Bundle for Good, will refund your money.

Adventure into Mixed Media with Mary Beth during Wanderlust 2020!

You, yes you, I feel you yearning for a year filled with mixed media celebrations.

YOU are cordially invited to adventure with Mary Beth Shaw (and 26 other magnificent, internationally recognized teachers)!

Hurry and take advantage of  $99 early bird pricing while you still can!

Wanderlust 2020

Mary Beth says, "This organization (Wanderlust) is top-notch and the instructor line-up this year is unbelievable! So strong! I like this organization and I am honored to be a part of the teaching line-up."

If you are one of the first 2,000 people to sign up, you'll save big! 

The course is $99 right now.

There's even a limited -time bonus from Host Kasia Avery for anyone who signs up in the first week of the sale, September 1 - 8th.

Wanderlust is perfect if you:

• feel stuck in your own style and want to embellish your art bag of techniques
• enjoy crafting but are yearning for advanced skills
• believe variety wears the crown
• want to establish a regular art practice but need extra support and motivation

As a Wanderlust adventurer, you'll receive year-long classes from 24 guest teachers + 3 hosts for a total of 61 video lessons! 

Wanderlust 2020 begins January 3 however, 

there are a whole bunch of bonuses available as soon as you sign up!

The content is streamable in HD with lifetime access! You can even download them in standard definition.

If you are not one of the first 2,000 video adventurers, the cost is $175. If you ever wanted an early-bird special, this is it.

You’ll get weekly video lessons, bonuses, and handouts that will make your practice free, regular, explorative and varied. Wanderlust teachers will deal with your inner-critic in a laid-back and loving atmosphere of our Community and Facebook group. Click here to check out all the details.

The teacher line-up: