The Path ofPersephone
A 1 day Spring creative retreat for artists of all disciplines
Saturday, May 4
A 1 day creative retreat
Join us for a day of inspiration, from creating a mini garden to sketching in the sunlight, from wandering cottage garden paths to posing inPersephone-inspired garb with new friends. Collaborate, create, connect and be inspired!
Inspired by the mythological Queen of the Underworld and yet bearer of Spring, Persephone.
The Greek myth of Persephone’s abduction by Hades, her sojourn in the underworld, and her temporary return to the surface, bringing Spring with her, represent her functions as the embodiment of spring and the personification of the abundance of new life.
In the Path of Persephone Spring Retreat, we are inspired by her resilience, determination, and duality.
Morning
We gather in the morning at 9am at the Main Line Artist’s Retreat House, and have a light but lovely breakfast of bagels, bites, juice and coffee. Meet new friends and mingle! Suggested attire is Persephone inspired, but wear whatever makes you feel great.
Next, we will create our own terrariums!
Each attendee will be able to create her own terrarium. In the spacious sunroom, we will share our creative ideas with new friends as each create our own terrarium with moss, dirt, small plants and more!
Then, off to the gardens!
After cleaning up and setting aside the terrariums, we will travel just a seven minute drive to an award winning private garden, taking with us a picnic lunch. This incredible garden includes stone ruins, fountains, hundreds of flower varieties, a greenhouse, pond, stream, bridges, grassy spaces and benches to sit, and so much more! While at the gardens, we will have a picnic lunch, and then spend several hours exploring the vast property, sketching the flowers, 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.
Discover the gardens and create…
Picnic on the grass, sketch and photograph. Artist, host and curator Jessica Libor will give a drawing demo and be available should you want guidance.
Late afternoon…
In the late afternoon, we will head back to the Main Line Artist’s Retreat House for snacks, coffee 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, guided by prompts. This is a powerful part of the day for creative entrepreneurs, artists and creators.
Evening…
As the day winds down, artists are invited to take a Polaroid on Persephone’s Couch, a special photo op created for the event at the Main Line Artist’s Retreat House.
We end the day with optional dinner out at a gorgeous hidden gem of a restaurant nearby. Dinner is not included in the price of the retreat, but we will organize it and you can order what you wish!
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, May 4, 9am-approximately 7pm (not including dinner afterwards)
Place: Wayne, PA (close to King of Prussia, PA). Address details only given to registered attendees. If it rains, the outdoor portion of the event will be held instead at the Philadelphia Art Museum (also awesome!).
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:
Breakfast of bagels, fruit, coffee, tea and juice
Terrarium supplies and instruction
Ticket to private garden (or art museum if rains)
Boxed picnic lunch
Drawing demo and instruction at the garden or museum
Sweet snacks
Short lecture on creativity & guided interactive sessions
Persephone goody bag!
Option to attend organized dinner
What’s not included:
Transportation
Accommodations
Price of your dinner
What to bring:
A picnic blanket
Any extra snacks or drinks you might like
Sketching and/or watercolor supplies
A fun outfit inspired by Persephone (if you wish!)
Cost: $175
Come join us!
Interested in attending the Spring Retreat? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!
Image credits: “Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May” by John Waterhouse, 1909, Public Domain. “The Fate of Persephone” by Walter Crane, 1877, public domain. Sketch by Jessica Libor, “The Lily Pond”, 2022. Photos by Gabriel Foo, Jessica Libor and Kerasan R. Lamar.