Autumn Blooms
A Whimsical Women Art Retreat with Joanne Sharpe
October 15-18, 2023

Treat yourself to a creative escape at the Whimsical Women Art Retreat, “Autumn Blooms.” Enjoy this memorable event with like-minded creatives for a joyful art making experience, friendship, and laughter with Joanne Sharpe.
 
Artful hearts will gather and stay on campus (or commute) with all accommodations, meals and art activities provided. Enjoy comfortable, accommodations in the beautiful Holy Family Retreat Center.  Choose a room that suits your comfort level or simply commute for daily sessions.  This event fills up quickly and space is limited to 20 participants.

***This is not a religious retreat, but an art workshop experience in an  inspirational location where we’ve previously hosted Whimsical Women art retreats.  

CREATE! Delight in an artful, colorful adventure each day in FIVE big instructional art and creativity sessions with Joanne Sharpe.  Enjoy brand new themed, heirloom mixed media projects that feature bookmaking, watercolor painting, pen and ink lettering and doodles, collage, and simple art textiles with “slow stitching”. Most supplies and sewing machines will be provided.

PLAY! Bring just a few of your own supplies and then feast on banquet of yummy art supplies at Joanne’s famous “Art Bar”, FREE to use in class and even take home.

EAT WELL!  Enjoy every scrumptious meal and snacks onsite prepared by our outstanding chef. All meals are included in retreat fee. 

BREATHE! Explore, play and nourish your creativity and making art to your heart’s content in our open studio day and night. 

TREASURE!  As always you will be gifted with “presents for your presence”!  Swoon over some very special art swag and supplies gathered just for you to celebrate this artful journey.

EMPOWER! “Art Makes the Soul Visible”. All skill levels welcome! Enjoy personal art coaching and encouragement from Joanne and fellow artists.  We’ll inspire you, empower you and spoil you!   
“The second I arrived on the grounds of the gorgeous Monastery Gallery of Art in West Hartford, CT, I knew this location would be an annual stop on the Whimsical Women Art Retreat offerings.  So simple, so serene, peaceful, inspiration everywhere….When our gathering ended,  I couldn’t wait to come back!
- Joanne Sharpe

SUPPLY LIST
​No worries if it’s not on the list, we’ll have it for you.

COLORS: Think “autumn inspired” colors (oranges, reds, golds, amber, etc) and nature (greens, warm browns)  
  • Watercolor paints- Joanne uses Daniel Smith, Winsor Newton and Holbein.  Any brand is fine, get the best that your budget allows.  Try “VanGogh by Royal Talens, Winsor Newton, or Gambi Kuratake. (Stay clear of the craft store watercolor sets.)
  • Acrylic paint- Craft store acrylics (DecoArt, Americana) are perfect (or artist grade only of you have them). Bring 3-4 colors.
  • Brushes for watercolor and acrylic paint- Simply Simmons brand recommended- Round #4, #8, #12 and ¾” flat
  • Canson Mixed Media Sketchbook- 7”x10” (90lb or 98lb), blue cover
  • Matte medium- 4oz Liquitex brand
  • Black waterproof drawing pens- assorted tips by Micron, Uniball, Pitt, etc.
  • Scissors for cutting paper and fabric. 
  • PVA glue (Lineco 4oz) and a glue stick
  • Pencil and eraser
  • DMC Pearl cotton thread #8- at least 3-4 skeins/or balls in your favorite color combination (available at Hobby Lobby, JoAnns, Michaels, or online).  Joanne brings a big stash of fabric, fibers, threads and needles.
If you have any questions about the supply list email Joanne: jzsharpe@yahoo.com
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ABOUT JOANNE SHARPE
​Joanne Sharpe is a life-long creative artist dedicated to empowering women to embrace their own creativity through national and international workshops and innovative online classes that explore journaling, lettering, textiles and mixed media art. She is the author of the best-selling title The Art of Whimsical Lettering (Interweave 2014), named Amazon’s Editor’s Pick for the Best Craft Book of 2014.

Joanne is proud to be a BERNINA Artisan Ambassador, sharing her love of threads and fabric with an audience eager to learn how to bring these expressive media into their own artwork. Look for her second book, The Art of Whimsical Stitching, and find out more about Joanne and her art adventures on her new website at joannesharpe.com.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
This retreat is being hosted by The Monastery Gallery of Art with space and online registration provided by Holy Family Retreat & Conference Center.  Registration fees cover provided art supplies, accommodations, snacks and meals during your stay. The retreat begins on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. with an overview of planned activities followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m. and will conclude on Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. with a boxed lunch for the road.

​​The following accommodations are available, please register below by making a non-refundable deposit with the unit you would like to reserve. 
Private Room with Private Bath - $ 1,535
​​Private Room with Hall Bath - $ 1,340
Commuter - $830

If you have any questions or special dietary/health-related requests, please contact Beth at beth@monasterygallery.art.