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. The first day always includes an optional basics demo for anyone who feels they need to brush up on their encaustic painting skills and knowledge. The demo is usually tailored to what the group needs to work on and individual attention to those who may need it. The basics demo puts everyone in the retreat on the same page and eases the anxiety some participants may be feeling.

No matter the subject of the Retreat, all retreats include the following teaching points for a well-rounded creative learning experience.

• A library of inspirational books specific to your Retreat subject.

• Learn how to use encaustic’s strengths (layering, transparency, luminosity) to tell your story.

• Color, composition, scale, balance and other painting and design considerations are discussed.

• Mark-making exercises with simple or complex marks to generate a personal language.

• The option of an Individual Consultation/Critique discussion with each instructor. Bring a piece of work, a question, a concern, a problem and discuss it with the instructor(s).

• Guided meditation time and planned walks will relax and open your mind and spirit to the land, helping to support and nurture your unique creative voice. These walks are very short, easy and are do-able for all experience levels.

• An optional slide talk with examples of contemporary artists whose work applies the ideas and concepts discussed in the workshop is offered for inspiration.

•. Lots of open studio time to explore and interpret the inspiration gained from the meditations, exercises and walks.

Monday 6-9pm Orientation

Tuesday-Friday, 9am-4:00pm Workshop Hours

Tuesday-Thursday, 6:00-9pm optional night studio hours

**Each retreat includes optional late afternoon activities. A detailed itinerary specific to your retreat is listed on each Retreat Page and is also emailed a few weeks before the retreat start date.

The Retreat fee includes accommodations for 4 nights at Lareau Inn, daily breakfast and lunch, one dinner, daily afternoon snacks and first night orientation, plus most workshop materials. A list of available rooms with links to images is listed on each of the Retreat pages below.

$2900 Per person includes all of the above accommodations, food, snacks, most workshop materials and FUN.

Payment of 50% of the workshop fee ($1450 if paying via check, Zelle or Venmo, $3005 if paying via Paypal is due at the time of registration with the remaining 50% ($1450) due approximately 6 weeks before the Retreat start date. Please contact Lorraine for payment details.

Not Interested in Lareau Inn Accommodations, breakfast or lunch?

$1900 includes workshop fee and most materials.

Repeat Retreater?? You ALWAYS receive a discount. Email Lorraine for details.

1. Scroll down to view links to each of the three Retreats offered in 2026 and click the Learn More button for your Retreat.

2. Once on your Retreat Page, you will find a list of available rooms with links and images. Choose your room from this list.

3. DO NOT book your room from the Lareau Inn web site. All rooms have already been booked in advance for our Retreats.

4. Contact Lorraine via email with the name of the room you’d like to book and for payment details.

In the event that you need to cancel your workshop, please notify Lorraine via email.

Cancelations made 30 days or more from the workshop start date will be refunded their deposit (minus $100 processing fee).

Cancelations made 30 days or less from the workshop start date will be refunded their deposit (minus $100 processing fee) only if the space can be filled. If the space cannot be filled, no refund will be issued.
In this circumstance, a credit of 50% of the deposit may be applied to another Vermont Retreat Only. The other 50% of the deposit will not be credited or refunded.