Graphic Novelists & Illustrators: An Artist’s Retreat

OVERVIEW:

In-person 4-Day/3-Night Working Retreat

Calling all graphic novelists and picture book illustrators! Looking for a getaway to focus on your illustrations? Here is a special retreat just for you!

Join author/illustrators Kelly Light and Courtney Pippin-Mathur, and author/illustrator and art director Aram Kim for an informally structured retreat where the focus is on your own projects, with light conversation after meals and in art workspaces. Optional consultations for feedback on your portfolio, sketches, or dummy will be available at an additional cost.

• This is an in-person retreat for illustrators, author/illustrators, and graphic novelists.
• Optional 1:1 consultations can be purchased for $125 (during the registration process), which will include a private 30-minute session to discuss your portfolio, dummy, and/or other illustrated work-in-progress.
• During the retreat, you will guide your time to work on your own stories and connect with fellow creatives.
• Lodging and meals are included.
• Begins at 5:30pm Eastern on Sunday, October 2, 2022
• Ends at 1:00pm Eastern on Wednesday, October 5, 2022
• 12 participants max

WHY THIS RETREAT?

All creatives need time and space to accomplish their goals. Days will be spent on individual projects, whether that means sketching in the Art Coop, drafting new words on the porch of your cabin, or confronting the revisions that your work-in-progress needs.

In addition to your personal time, there are a limited number of private consultations available that you may add onto your retreat experience at an additional cost.

Each consultation will include a private 30-minute session with one of our faculty members to share and discuss your work. You may choose to bring your portfolio, a dummy, or another illustrated work-in-progress. The consultation will offer time for you to ask questions of the faculty, and share ideas about next steps. Written feedback will not be provided.

Along with optional 1:1 consultations and your personal retreat time, you will have the chance to gather informally over meals and after dinner each night to chat with Kelly Light, Aram Kim, and Courtney Pippin-Mathur about the publishing industry, illustration, and other creative opportunities.

Your retreat will be well appointed with space to create, as every accommodation option includes a personal workspace. You’ll find various spaces around the grounds to get work done or take a nature walk if you need a change of pace or some inspiration.

THIS RETREAT IS A GREAT FIT IF:

• You are an illustrator or author/illustrator, at any level, in any style.
• You’d like a retreat where you can get to work. You structure your time at this retreat. Time will be your own to focus on your stories, supported by a community of fellow artists!
• You are looking for feedback from a published author/illustrator. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase a consultation during the retreat where you will receive feedback and direction on your in-progress project.

DETAILED AGENDA:

Pre-Workshop

• One week prior to the program, you will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow creatives and engage in Highlights Foundation related resources (including our Community Standards).
• For those who choose to take part in the optional consultations, you will receive detailed instructions on what to bring with you, and your designated time to meet at the retreat center. You will receive this information within one week of your arrival, and then again once you arrive at the retreat center.

Retreat Details:

• All times are Eastern Standard Time.

Sunday, October 2

• 3pm – 5pm Eastern:    Arrival and check in.
• 5:30pm – 7pm:             Appetizers & Dinner
• Following dinner:        Welcome, Introductions, & Possibilities!

Monday, October 3

Morning:

• Breakfast
• Writing/Illustration time and Optional 1:1 meetings

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Writing/Illustration time
• Optional art prompt

Evening

• Appetizers & Dinner
• Informal gathering fireside (weather permitting)

Tuesday, October 4

Morning:

• Breakfast
• Writing/Illustration time and Optional 1:1 meetings

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Writing/Illustration time
• Optional art prompt

Evening

• Appetizers & Dinner
• Informal gathering fireside (weather permitting)

Wednesday, October 5

Morning

• Breakfast
• Writing/Illustration time
• Optional group sharing

Afternoon

• Lunch & farewells

A note about workshop agendas and how they change and evolve. 

ABOUT OUR RETREAT CENTER:

All in-person Highlights Foundation workshops and retreats (including this one) are held at our Retreat Center: The Barn at Boyds Mills.  This site was the home of the original founders of Highlights for Children Garry and Caroline Myers, and is located in the Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania on the traditional and contemporary lands of the Lenape Nation.

Your retreat fee includes lodging, farm-fresh meals with snacks, and car service from our local airport or bus/train stations if you need it.  For more information about attending a workshop or retreat here, visit the Barn at Boyds Mills website.

The Highlights Foundation strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives, including our faculty and staff.

THOUGHTFULLY HOSTED BY: