3-day Encaustic Painting Retreat
September 25–27
Take Flight!
A 3-day Immersive for Encaustic Painters
McGuffey Art Center, Studio 22B, Charlottesville
This intimate retreat is for encaustic painters ready to strengthen their technique, develop their visual language, work in a series, explore scale, and give sustained attention to their practice.
With just 6 spots available, this long weekend offers generous work time, individualized support, technical guidance, and time to pursue a cohesive series of works. (4 spots remain)
What experience is required?
If you are already familiar with the encaustic painting process and are ready to deepen your practice - this is for you! For those of you who are new to encaustic painting start with one of my all-level workshops first (register HERE), then come back for the Immersion Retreat! There's one in August!!
What you’ll leave with
- A clearer direction developing a body of work
- Meaningful progress on a series of 2–3 pieces
- Practical strategies for keeping a series visually cohesive
- A start on an encaustic sketchbook for musings and experiments
- Guidance on setting up your encaustic studio safely
- Renewed energy, clarity, and creative confidence
Retreat flow
Friday: Arrival, orientation, intention setting, studio setup, and first marks
Saturday: Exploration, demos, individual work time, and one-on-one feedback
Sunday: Refinement, finishing, closing group review, framing and polishing
What’s included
- Guided instruction and individual feedback
- Technique demos
- Daily intentions/mindfulness/stillness time
- Coffee, tea, and snacks throughout
- Encaustic medium and paint (excluding any specialty colors)
- Griddles, brushes, and collage materials
- Friday wine & charcuterie, Saturday coffee & treats, Saturday lunch, Sunday coffee & snacks. (Saturday group dinner not included. Optional)
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Full schedule sent upon registration
What to Bring
- 2-3 panels/substrates up to 20" x 20"
- Any specialty encaustic colors, including metallics or favorite custom color mixes
- Any favorite tools or collage materials
- A mixed-media sketchbook (medium to heavyweight paper)
A full list of optional materials will be sent upon registration.
Tuition + Registration
Tuition is $400 plus a $30 materials fee, for a total of $430.
You can either:
- Pay above in full: $430 upon registration
- Pay a deposit above: $75 due at registration, with the remaining $355 due by August 20
Your spot is confirmed once you register and submit payment. Register above. 4 spots remain.
Cancellation Policy
Your $75 deposit or full payment of $430 is refundable until August 20. If you choose the deposit option, your remaining balance of $355 is due on August 20. Beginning August 20, payments are refundable only if your spot is filled from the waitlist or you transfer your registration to someone else.
A Closer Look at the Retreat
The schedule will unfold organically around the needs of the group, but here’s the general shape of the weekend:
Day 1 | Friday, September 25 | 1:00–4:30 PM
Arrival + Vision + Set Up
- Welcome, introductions, and studio orientation
- Conversation on working in a series
- Grounding and intention setting for the weekend
- Individual concept mapping
- Beginning your encaustic sketchbook
- Studio setup, panel prep, and first marks
- Wine and charcuterie at 4:00 PM
Day 2 | Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Concept Exploration + Creative Expansion
- Morning grounding and reflective journaling
- Technical demos as needed
- Individual work time
- Mixing encaustic medium
- One-on-one support and feedback
- Continued work time
- Group lunch included
- Optional group dinner at Monsoon at 5:00 PM (not included)
Day 3 | Sunday, September 27 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Refinement + Integration
- Coffee, water, and snacks available throughout the day
- Grounding and intentions
- Extended work session
- Closing group viewing and review
- Finishing, framing, and polishing
