Castle &Canvas

1 Day Creative Holiday Retreat

Saturday, December 14th

A 1 day creative retreat

Join us for a day of inspiration, from exploring a real castle, sketching on the grounds, posing for photographs, lunching in a charming village with new friends, setting goals for 2025 and sketching the live costumed model while sipping hot cocoa. Collaborate, create, connect and be inspired!

Inspired by the European castles of old, a candlelit holiday party, and Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol…

In this 1 day creative retreat, we will go on a journey, from a castle adventure built by an artist in Doylestown, to a nourishing meal at a Dickens-esque village decked in holiday cheer, to an inspiring session with snacks and hot chocolate at the Artist’s Retreat House in Wayne, PA where you’ll create inspiring goals and plans for the new year and end the day with a life drawing session of a live model costumed as the ethereal Ghost of Christmas Past from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

In the Castle and Canvas holiday retreat, we are inspired by castles and the holiday cheer and ethereal beauty of Christmas Past, and the inspiration and connection of each other as we plan for our artistic dreams in the new year.

Morning

We gather in the morning at 10:30am at Fonthill Castle in the cozy visitor’s center for our tour. Meet new friends and mingle! Suggested attire is European-inspired, Outlander-chic, or Dickens Village aesthetic, but wear whatever makes you feel great! Bring your sketching gear and a blanket or yoga mat to sit on for after the tour.

Next, sketching the castle!

After exploring the fascinating interior of the castle decked out for the holidays, we will head outside! There, will will spend some time sketching the castle and taking pictures. This is a perfect chance to collaborate with new friends and make new connections with artists, models for your artworks, and various creators from different artistic fields. Bring your sketching supplies and a blanket or yoga mat to sit on! Artist Jessica Libor will be on hand should you want guidance for your drawing.

Lunching in the village…

At 1pm, we head over to the quaint town of Doylestown for a delightful lunch at one of the the restaurants there, and enjoy the company of artistic minds as we forge new acquaintances and friendships.

Late afternoon…

In the late afternoon, we will head back to the Main Line Artist’s Retreat House for snacks, hot cocoa and tea. While relaxing, artist & curator Jessica Libor will give a short talk including 5 ways to grow creatively. Then, we break up into smaller groups to help each other with challenges in our creative endeavors and goals for the new year, guided by prompts. This is a powerful part of the day for creative entrepreneurs, artists and creators.

Drawing the costumed live figure

As the day winds down at the Artist’s Retreat House, we will draw and sketch the live costumed figure, inspired and garbed in a way that is inspired by the ethereal Ghost of Christmas Past from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, with period music to accompany! The evening concludes at around 6pm with recommendations for local restaurants!

Limited accommodations at the Main Line Artist’s Retreat House

Stay the night on site a the Main Line Artist’s Retreat House. Small private room with twin bed (above) for $75 and large private room with queen bed (below) for $100. Shared bathroom, kitchen and common areas. Free parking and internet, check out by 10am the next day.

If you are interested in staying, state this in your application.

The vital details

Date: Saturday, December 14, 10:30am-approximately 7pm (not including dinner afterwards)

Place: Doylestown, PA at Fonthill Castle, a local Doylestown restaurant, and then Wayne, PA at the Artist’s Retreat House (close to King of Prussia, PA). Address details only given to registered attendees.

Getting to Wayne: Take the SEPTA train to the Wayne train station. From there, a very short uber ride. From NYC to Wayne, a two hour drive. Carpooling suggested! Transportation not provided.

What’s included:

Tickets to the 10:30AM tour of Fonthill Castle with our group

Reservation with the group at a local Doylestown restaurant (you must pay for your own meal at the restaurant)

Drawing demo and instruction at the castle (weather permitting)

Drawing the live costumed model

Sweet snacks and hot cocoa and tea

Short lecture on creativity & guided interactive sessions

Option to attend organized dinner in Wayne (order what you wish, you pay for your meal)

What’s not included:

Transportation

Accommodations

Price of your lunch

What to bring:

A picnic blanket

Any extra snacks or drinks you might like

Sketching and/or watercolor supplies

A notebook

A fun outfit inspired by holiday Dickens or Outlander (if you wish!)

Cost: $185

Come join us!

Interested in attending the Castle and Canvas Retreat? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!

Image credits: “Winter Landscape,” Caspar David Friedrich, 1811, public domain.“Snowy Forest Landscape,” Walter Moras, public domain. “St Etienne” Sketch, 1895, Pendavis, public domain. “There Will be Rest,” sketch, Jessica Libor 2008. "Flame,” oil, Jessica Libor 2016. Painting of the Ghost of Christmas Past, unknown (Pinterest).