A Celebration of Creativity: Imagine and Believe
A Whimsical Women Art Retreat with Joanne Sharpe
October 13-16, 2024

You’re cordially invited to our 6th annual whimsical, artfully inspired escape at the Whimsical Women Art Retreat, “A Celebration of Creativity: Imagine and Believe”.  Enjoy this memorable event (not religious) with like-minded creatives for a joyful art making experience, friendship, and laughter with Joanne Sharpe.
 
Our artful hearts will gather and stay on campus (or commute) at the beautiful Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford, CT.  Accommodations, meals, art activities and most supplies are provided.  Choose a room that suits your comfort level or simply commute for daily sessions.  Space is VERY LIMITED; this event fills up quickly.  Registration is now open.

***This is not a religious retreat, but an art workshop experience, inspirational location where we’ve previously hosted Whimsical Women art retreats.  
 
MAKERS GATHER… Delight in a colorful adventure each day with instructional art, samples and creativity sessions with Joanne Sharpe.  We’ll craft a large interactive, dimensional art book with illustrated embellishments and handmade art bits.  Experience an assortment of themed prompts for mixed media bookmaking, watercolor painting, pen and ink lettering and doodles and collage.  Fashion a fabric art bag to treasure your book decorated with “slow hand stitching” or machine sewing. Most supplies, fabrics, textiles and sewing machines will be provided.

PLAY... Permission to explore, play and nourish your creativity, making art to your heart’s content in our open studio day and night. 

INQUIRING MINDS…In addition to your own supplies, feast on banquet of art materials at Joanne’s famous “Art Bar”, FREE to use in class and even take home.

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

GOODIES…As always you will be gifted with “presents for your presence” with special art swag gathered just for you to celebrate this artful journey.

ARTFUL YOU…We’ll celebrate 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
Just bring your favorite supplies on this list, everything else will be provided:
  • Watercolor paints and brushes
  • Watercolor paper- pad of 12 sheets, 9”x12”, cold press, 90lb.
  • Sketchbook- Canson Mixed Media 7”x10”
  • Black waterproof pens- fine and assorted tips
  • Mat medium- by Liquitex, small 4 oz bottle
  • PVA glue and glue stick
  • Bone folder
  • Scissors
  • Corner punch tool for paper
If you have any questions about the supply list email Joanne: [email protected]
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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 - $ 1,545
​​Private Room with Hall Bath - $ 1,350
Commuter - $840

If you have any questions or special dietary/health-related requests, please contact Beth at [email protected].
Registration for this program has closed. If you have already registered and would like to pay your registration balance, click the button below.