PJ Library Illustration Retreat 2024

Welcome!

We are excited to host you for the PJ Library Illustration Retreat where we will:

• Discuss the illustration process for children’s books and media,
• Offer ample self-paced time to make progress on a project, or play with your creativity,
• Gather for daily presentations,
• Collaborate in a shared studio space,
• and offer support for Jewish themes and research!

Mornings will be structured around hands on activities and presentations. Afternoons will be for independent (or studio) time, as well as meetings with PJ Library faculty and staff. Each evening we will gather for discussion and sharing. (Tentative schedule to come.)

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS:

• This is an in-person workshop at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center hosted by PJ Library.
• Acceptance into the program covers tuition, lodging, and meals.
• Travel stipends to the retreat center will be available from PJ Library. 
• Illustrators should arrive by 5:30 pm Eastern on Sunday, November 17
• Illustrators will depart on Thursday, November 21 following lunch (if travel schedule permits)

Important Dietary Information:

PJ Library maintains kosher style options for programs that they host. During this retreat, we will only be serving vegetarian and kosher fish options. Snacks and drinks will be certified kosher. While the Highlights Foundation’s kitchen is not kosher, they are able to provide kosher certified packaged meals for accepted participants who mark this request.

Important Travel Information:

The Highlights Foundation team will help to coordinate travel plans and travel reimbursements. Your registration email communications from the Highlights Foundation will include links to submit your travel details and your shuttle requests. If you will require shuttle services to and from campus, please review the Highlights Foundation shuttle schedule before booking any travel, as the Highlights Foundation only offers shuttle services to and from select locations, and cannot guarantee shuttles outside of the posted schedule. We ask that participants submit the reimbursement form you will receive from the PJ Library team, along with any relevant receipts, for travel reimbursement no later than 11/22/24. Reimbursements will cover up to $500 for North American travel and $1,300 for travel outside of the U.S. For travel from Israel, please only purchase refundable tickets, in which case the travel stipend can extend to $1,700. If travel costs exceed any of these limits, please reach out and we will make it work. Any applicable shuttle fees will be covered separately by PJ Library. The completed form and receipts can be emailed to travel@highlightsfoundation.zendesk.com for processing. For any questions about shuttles, travel logistics, or travel reimbursement, please reach out to support@highlightsfoundation.zendesk.com.

ABOUT PJ LIBRARY:

Learn all about PJ Library at https://pjlibrary.org/home.

PJ Library sends free Jewish children’s books to families across the world every month. We know that something magical happens when parents sit down together to read with their children. PJ Library shares Jewish stories that can help your family talk together about values and traditions that are important to you. PJ Library welcomes all Jewish families, whatever your background, knowledge, or family make-up, or observance may be.

Questions directly for the PJ Library Team can be directed to: authors@pjlibrary.org

ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS FOUNDATION RETREAT CENTER:

All in-person Highlights Foundation workshops (including this special partnership with the PJ Library) 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 lands of the Lenape Nation. For more information about attending a workshop or retreat here, visit the Barn at Boyds Mills website. 

To learn more about the Highlights Foundation, please read about the mission and Community Standards.