Vermont Encaustic Retreats: 15 + 4 More Reasons to Join Us This Summer
The planning of my Vermont Encaustic Retreats started in 2017, but between Covid and other anomalies, the first Retreats were held in the Summer of 2021. They quickly filled with long waitlists, participants itching to get out of their homes to commune creatively in nature with other like minded artists. I’m so thankful to the fabulous instructors who have co-taught with and to my amazing assistant, Brenda Howell for helping to facilitate a warm creative space our participants return to again and again .
Over the years, I have answered many questions regarding these retreats and I’ve also made a few discoveries from my frequent visits to Lareau Farm Inn and Vermont in general, so I decided to compile them into this handy list of answers, secrets and revelations.
If you’re on the fence about registering for a retreat, hop on over that pesky thing and join us!
A Truly Unique Learning Experience
With so many encaustic workshops, conferences and retreats available both online and in person, it seems that there is nothing new under the waxy sun. However, I can guarantee you that you won’t find the content presented in our retreats in any other encaustic learning forum. All content is thoroughly researched and developed by myself and my knowledgeable assistant and accomplished artist, Brenda Howell. It’s a joy for us to present to you a learning experience that is like no other.Healing & Bonding
Many amazing things can happen on an artist retreat. I’ve traveled to Vermont every summer since 2018 and since the very moment I enter the boundaries of the state, my heart relaxes and I can breathe. The air, light and sky are so different from any place I’ve ever visited. You have to see it, feel it, to experience it. There is no place like it on earth and it unlocks the artist in me who wants to capture it all in paint and gesture. Friends who live there insist that there are fairies, forest gnomes and water spirits who inhabit the quiet nature and I can attest I have felt them. It’s the only place where I can hike a public trail and not see another soul for miles, if at all. Many retreat participants come with personal trauma, either recent or in the distant past and between the Vermont calm and the creative retreat outlet, they are a little bit healed when they leave. One thing that can be relied upon is that bonding happens at every retreat I’ve offered at Lareau. On the first day, everyone is a stranger and by the end of it, we’re all family. Its a truly magical experience that becomes more remarkable each year.The Garden
The Lareau Farm garden is one of the special places at the Inn that keeps me coming back-to stroll, think, photograph, sketch and learn. Each year, the garden grows larger with more bio-diverse plants and bio-dynamic sensitivity. The garden feeds the Inn and the American Flatbread Restaurant with lush fruits, vegetables and edible flowers prepared by accomplished chefs. It’s a hands-on community endeavor that at any time during the summer days has groups of volunteer students, garden professionals and environmentalists working diligently to make it a success. During each retreat, we spend many hours soaking in the garden’s beauty while also learning how to incorporate it’s life into our encaustic paintings. Once entering the garden, It’s impossible not to feel it’s contagious magic. Read on about George and follow the links to see how it all began.The Mad River
As it flows steadily by the Inn, it’s rhythmic sounds will lull you to sleep at night, offer a cool respite from the summer sun during the day, inspiration for daily mark-making or just a quiet shady spot to ponder your thoughts as you sit on the hidden bench in the woods (ask me how to get to it!) The river is my personal favorite photo spot at Lareau, with its lush summer long wildflowers, opportunities for rock collecting and gorgeous, ever changing landscape, it’s most inspiring. The best part of the river is the Lareau Swimming Hole, just a short stroll from the Inn. Many of our retreaters take a dip in the healing waters in the morning or to cool off from a day in the studio. Some of our bravest have even jumped off of the big rock with all the Vermont kids! Just sitting by the river with your sketchbook or writing journal gets the ideas flowing and Brenda and I love to take our groups for some creative time near the river, it’s always a rewarding experience.The Trail Through the Woods
Lareau Farm has it all for the outdoors enthusiast and the trail head at the base of the woods is a forest fairy’s dream. When the air feels too hot, enter this mossy green wonderland for a cool, canopy of trees and another inspiring commune with nature. I often take my sketchbook and my portable chair to sketch, photograph the rocks, lichens and fungi or to just sit and breathe in the cool mountain air while waiting for a visit from the forest gnomes. During the spring snow melt, there is a quiet brook trickling by that melts your cares away. Sometimes I purposely get lost on this trail and have discovered many hidden secrets in this special place. If you enjoy early morning or late afternoon exercise-walk, bike or run-this trail will do it all for you as you gradually ascend into the mountains.The Meadow Trail
Just behind the Studio Pavilion is the Lareau Meadow, a quiet, lazy place to find interesting mark-making twigs and stalky wildflowers, many birds, as well as a deer or two in the early morning or late summer dusk. If you’re at Lareau in the early spring, the meadow is full of blooming yellow dandelions waving in the breeze. It’s lovely in the early mornings to follow this easy, flat, circular trail back to where the wedding ceremonies are held, then follow it back to the Lareau garden and the studio. Many retreaters opt for this easy stroll just to regroup, collect inspiration or to take a short break from painting.George
The best kept secret at Lareau Inn is Proprietor, George Schenk. George is a true Renaissance man: chef, restauranteur, entrepreneur, community activist, artist, writer, bio-dynamic farmer, environmentalist, gardner, story teller, hippie, visionary, endlessly fascinating. You can normally find George toiling away in the huge garden at the Farm at Lareau Inn, but he’s never too busy to say hello and chat for awhile. It was during one of these impromptu chats while strolling in the garden that I got to know George and all of his gifts. A few participants and I stood in the rain for over an hour listening to his fabulous stories about the Inn, the garden and his plans for more. Despite being so accomplished, he is exceedingly humble, maybe even a little shy. He’s always thinking about how to benefit others, how to share and how to preserve nature while living off of it. I’m hoping he’ll make a visit to our Retreats this summer to tell garden stories, but it’s difficult to tie him down to a date and time. My favorite thing about George is his watercolor diary series hanging throughout the Inn. Some small, some large-the watercolors depict Farm/Inn life with a penned story underneath. He also faithfully writes a short weekly diary page about the happenings on the Farm. This page is copied and given out to visitors to his restaurant which adjoins the Inn, American Flatbread. George has written these pages weekly for three decades! I’m proud to say that our retreats were mentioned a few times in the weekly diary pages. Someday George plans to create a book of his watercolor diaries spanning over the years and I always tell him I’d be his first customer! Visit the link to read a lot more about George and the fascinating history of Lareau Farm.Studio Space
Because our first retreat at the Inn happened in 2021 when Covid was alive and well, we decided to take the retreat from indoors at the Inn’s Art Barn to the outdoor Event Pavilion. It turned out to be the perfect space to hold encaustic classes and we have made it ours ever since. The pavilion boasts plenty of workspace for each participant, fresh air ventilation for encaustic, sunshine and happy times with twinkle lights, too! The pavilion is also where one of the wood-fired ovens is housed and where the chef’s do their prep work for the Inn and restaurant. It’s wonderful to share a workspace with the wonderful sounds and smells of these accomplished food creatives. Another joyful perk this space offers is that there are usually lovely botanical remnants left over from the weddings held in the pavilion during the weekend before, which we use to decorate the tables and/or incorporate into our creative work.Artist Community
For such a small town, Mad River Valley offers a thriving artist community and the Lareau Inn is a bit of a hub for creatives. The Lareau Inn’s Historic Dairy Barn is a huge venue for summer art shows. After working hard in the studio, its a wonderful pleasure to stroll through the galleries, sipping wine while perusing the work of local artists. Just down the street is Bundy Gallery, which offers interesting art shows throughout the summer. We always book an afternoon at the Bundy for a private tour and talk for each retreat. The little town of Waitsfield is home to Artistan’s Gallery, as well as more than a few artist, photography and creative studio spaces, plus some lovely shops and boutiques. On the other side of the farm is the tiny town of Warren, home of the dynamic and inspiring Warren Falls. Even though the town is small, the Warren Village Shops offer a gallery, a classic Vermont Country Store & Bakery and a boutique consignment shop, owned by local artist, Rita Ioannidis, that is an absolute MUST visit for the fashionistas.Plus 4 More
The Inn has some new Farm Kitties! I met these sweeties last year as tiny kittens when the Innkeeper just brought them home. At the time, they were too small to come out of their little house, but now they’re out and about, learning how to keep the farm in balance. Their names are a nod to the restaurant and the yummy farm fresh food that you can always count on for sustenance at Lareau Inn. Join us this summer to meet Mozzarella, Carmie, Parmesan & Classy!Experience Level
The most asked question prospective participants ask is if their encaustic painting experience level is appropriate in order to attend the retreat. Although it is helpful to have had some experience with encaustic, it is not a requirement to participate. Participants range from beginners to advanced to professional. Because the content is so unique, everyone is learning something, even those who have worked professionally in encaustic for years. There is no judgement, no competition, no comparisons made. I always begin the first day by offering an optional basics demo for anyone who feels they need to brush up on their encaustic painting skills and knowledge. I usually tailor the demo to what the group needs to work on and offer individual attention to those who may need it. The basics demo puts everyone in the class on the same page and eases the anxiety some participants may be feeling especially on that first day.Age
The second most asked question I get from prospective participants is if they are too young or too old to participate in the outdoor exercises. The answer is NOOOOOO! We’ve had participants as young as teens and as old as 90+! We allow participants to do what they can and expect no more or less. If there is something you cannot do, for whatever reason, we create alternatives to every workshop learning activity.Travel
The third most asked question is which airport to fly into and whether you need a car during the week. The closest airport is Burlington Airport (BTV), the one I always recommend and is a quick 45 minute distance to the Inn. As far as needing a car during the week, it is really your preference. There have been many people who have not rented a car and got around just fine between an Uber to/from the airport and/or rides with the other retreat participants. During the workshop week, there is very little use for a car, other than dinners or a trip to the food store. The town of Waitsfield, food and commerce is less than a mile away. Brenda and I have offered rides to town for various reasons and we don’t mind at all. If you like your independence and find you get antsy for a drive (like I do when traveling), by all means, rent a car, but it’s not necessary.Furries, Friends & Spouses
Yes! Dogs, friends, partners, spouses, are all welcome at the Inn. Many participants have brought friends and spouses who accompany them but don’t necessarily participate in class. Many rooms have multiple beds and there is a nominal charge of $35 (plus tax) per night for double occupancy, which includes breakfasts. There are a ton of local activities for your partner to take part in while you’re in the studio or they can relax and read a book in many of the indoor/outdoor/porch nooks at the Inn. Your travel companion is also welcome to take part in any group activities outside of the studio. If you would like to bring your furry friend, please make sure to book one of the four designated pet-friendly rooms. There is also a huge meadow and lots of hiking trails for dogs to run and roam.Vermont Life
There is so much to do in the Mad River Valley, you could spend the whole summer there and not do it all. At the same time, the people and the tone of the atmosphere is totally laid back and relaxing. Right on the Lareau Property are several walking trails, a mountain biking trail, and swimming hole. Just a short distance away are many places to kayak, fish, swim, climb and sit in the sun. During the week while we’re there in Waitsfield, there is a Farmers market on Saturday and Wednesday nights is a block party with music and food. The best thing about Waitsfield is that one of the top three Maple Creemee stands in the whole state of Vermont resides there, Canteen Creemee and I have the thighs to prove I’ve been there many a time! What? You’ve never had a maple creemee? You will when you visit and you’ll crave them for the rest of your life. Also, a visit to Mad Taco for dinner before your Creemee is a must. Here is a complete list of things to do in the Mad River Valley.Expectations
I always preface each retreat by explaining how a workshop differs from a retreat. As I wrote in my article, Workshop & Retreat Guide: Which One is for You, I describe retreats as, “A unique experience that may be offered as a once in a lifetime or as a rarity.” The retreat is more carefully considered by the participant than a workshop and is a time investment organized to feed your mind, body and soul so that you leave rested and inspired. It’s for this reason, we have no expectations of you to spend all of your time in the studio, to make tons of work, to mingle or to do anything you don’t want to do or feel uncomfortable doing. You set the tone for your retreat and we will be there as much as you need us to assist in facilitating a fabulous experience for you.