Now is the time to do it.....
June has 2 spots- or come in August
Enjoy a rejuvenating experience combining a technical craft, interpretive design and reflective elements, in a stunning location nurturing your creative 'flow'.
Unwind as you're lead through Art-Journalling with Bronwyn, used as the connective tissue between observing nature and your glasswork. Discover the benefit of walking a labyrinth with Max guiding this meditative "warm-up" before diving into the intricate, sharp-edged world of glasswork.
Of course, a great teacher is the secret to moving past any fears into the fun of creating, and since you're working with Marian Day (@leadlight_of_day), you're in excellent hands.
Staying from Friday night to Sunday creates a "creative incubator" effect— so you have space to shift from the frantic pace of life into focused wonder. You’ll come home with a beautiful glass piece, plus a much calmer internal "landscape".
Maybe you already have something in mind that you're hoping to translate into your glass design?
A retreat, not just a weekend workshop
How the Retreat Elements Work Together.
· The Friday Night Transition: Starting on Friday evening is crucial. It allows you to shake off the "city brain" and settle into the environment so that when you pick up the glass cutter on Saturday morning, you aren't still thinking about your emails.
· Art-Journalling as a Bridge: This acts as the connective tissue between the nature walks and the glasswork. You can use the journal to capture the patterns of the bush, which then become the "interpretive design" for your leadlight piece.
· Tactile vs. Transcendent: There is a beautiful contrast between the physical, gritty work of grinding glass and the ethereal, quiet experience of sitting in nature. This balance prevents the "creative fatigue" that can sometimes happen in 2-day intensive workshops.
Who is this for?
This is for those who:
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Have admired stained-glass art and wondered how it's done,
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Used to do it and need encouragement to start again,
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Have always wanted to learn but haven't yet,
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Long to flex their creative muscles in interesting ways,
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Would love a weekend away with friends doing something different,
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Have seen Marian's wonderful stained-glass artworks (@leadlight.of.day) and want to learn how to do your own.
Totally suitable for beginners
Note: Above left is an example of Marian's work you will be making leaves but not the kookaburra. Above right is an example from this beginners retreat.
This boutique retreat (maximum 11 people) is set within the 100 acres of Fosterton Retreat, with stunning views across valleys and hills to the Barrington Tops National Park. Only 12 minutes from the historic and beautiful town of Dungog, surrounded by wallabies grazing and birds singing, this is a popular place for get-aways, artists, and lovers of nature to renew and connect on a deeper level.
We're just over 2 hours north of Sydney from the start of the M1, OR you can come by train, from the north or south as both the XPT & Citylink services stop here. Contact us to be picked up from Dungog station: a small fee applies.
Arrive from 5pm Friday, leave by 3.30pm Sunday.
your investment $600
plus accommodation
Friday 26-28th June 2026 or Friday 14 - 16th August 2026
What is included?
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2 plus, days of hands-on workshops, starting Friday night Learning & practising glass cutting, foiling, grinding, soldering as you....
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Make your unique stained-glass art pieces,
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Catered tasty vegetarian supper, morning and afternoon teas,
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2 x vegetarian lunches,
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Walking tracks on the property (optional),
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A guided labyrinth walk (optional),
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Visit to the historic town of Dungog (optional),
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Learning reflection with art journaling (optional),
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A journal,
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Art exercises connecting with nature,
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Design your own simple stained-glass art leaf,
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Create a stained-glass leaf,
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A great location set on the hillside, amongst bush, but with different ecosystems,
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All materials and equipment are provided including aprons and gloves,
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Beautiful accommodation, private or shared (see list and costs below).
For those sleeping over...
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All linen, including towels.
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Fireside reflection on creativity (weather permitting),
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Breakfast Saturday & Sunday.
What is not included?
Your personal toiletries.
Sensible clothes for the art workshops- wear enclosed shoes, long trousers, long sleeves shirt (not loose flowing sleeves)
Please bring glasses if you need the for close work.
Dinner on Saturday night is at a venue in Dungog and at your own expense.
Alcohol is not included, but as this is not a dry retreat you are welcome to bring alcohol and moderation is expected.
Learn skills to design your own pieces.
Weather changes the views- amazing in all seasons.
Gift vouchers available- contact us.
Marian will have starter packs available to buy at the end of the retreat so once you go home, you're good to go: Basic or Deluxe.
Both purchased through Marian.
Earlybird price:
Register & pay deposit before July 1st & pay only $570 (plus accommodation)
Note: If not enough participants are registered & paid 14 days before the retreat it will be cancelled. Any registered & paid participants will be notified asap.
Read what some of last year's participants said:
What is your lasting impression of the retreat?
A very positive one - memories of good company, nature, fun, artistic expression and flow, relaxation and ease.
Is there something specific you thought worked well?
Class size was good.
Retreat space worked well.
There was flexibility with timing/program when things took an unplanned turn.
Meals were great.
One of 2 bathrooms in
Fosterton House
One of the 5 bedrooms
in Fosterton House
Accommodation options*
Well appointed cabins
Valley View cabin– up to 2 people, in 1 bed Queen $180 p/ night
Mountain View cabin- up to 2 people, in 1 bed Queen $180 p/ night
MV bring 1 more friend Single- bunk bed (bottom) $70 p/ night, share the bathroom.
Accommodation in Fosterton House
(5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)
King room- (2 people) King bed $150 p/ night
Queen room- (2 people) Queen bed $140 p/ night
Double room- (2 people) Double bed $130 p/night
Shared single bed room- (1 with 2 adults, one with 3 adults)
Single beds $80 p/ person / night
*It is a whole retreat experience but locals who wish to be non-residential cost $567, deposit $150
Both booked.
Mountain View cabin bedroom.
Plenty of room in the shared bedrooms.
Retreat terms & conditions
We want you to be clear about our terms & conditions,
but we've tried to make them easy & fun to read!
Bookings:
· A 30% non-refundable deposit is required at least 3 weeks before a retreat to secure your place. Payment of the deposit constitutes the guest's acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
· Balance of payment must be received in full at least 14 days prior to the start of a retreat. If not, the owners will contact you, but without payment we have the right to cancel the booking and attempt to re-book your place.
Cancellations & Refunds:
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Cancellation by participants made up to 4 weeks before a retreat receive a refund minus10% fee.
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Cancellations by participants between 4-2 weeks prior to a retreat receive a 50% refund,
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Cancellations by participants within 2 weeks of a retreat receive no refund, unless person is found to replace you (like for like),
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If a retreat is not run by Max & Bronwyn Greive cancellations and refunds are between the retreat organiser and the client.
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If you want to "pull out of" a retreat and move to another one at a different time it will be treated as a cancellation. Rebooking will be subject to availability & at the listed price for that next retreat (even if it has increased).
Other issues:
· We care about our participants so it is important that anyone registering to attend a retreat discloses any health or related issues which might impact on their involvement, so we can take great care (eg: physical, psychological, spiritual, dependencies or family issues). To not do so could result on the cancellation of a booking/place at a retreat,
· The number of guests should not exceed the number stated on the confirmation notice/email or the number subsequently agreed in writing or email. Fees will apply for additional guests not agreed to with the owner in advance,
· While there have never been any problems with theft, personal items are the guest's responsibility during their stay,
· However anything found at the conclusion of the stay is collected by the cleaners and we contact you and ask what you want to do about it,
Alcohol: Fosterton Retreat does not have a liquor license. Some retreats are dry, others are not. It will be listed on the individual retreat page. You are welcome to bring alcohol to a retreat that is not dry but moderation is expected and unruly behaviour is not okay (see next point).
· Disturbance to other visitors or our neighbours, including trespassing on their property or excessive noise, is prohibited and may result in termination of your place at a retreat,
· Linen for residential guests is supplied by Fosterton Retreat except for any extras agreed between the owner and visitor in writing (email included),
· Pets are not allowed unless specific arrangements have been made in writing with the owner (Guide and assistance dogs excepted of course with consultation).
· Smoking is not allowed inside any buildings or within 5 metres of buildings.
· Times to vacate rooms will be stipulated in each retreat and need to be adhered to for the sake of other guests.
Note: If extreme things happen outside of your control, (we know what it's like to have sudden tragedies) we understand that variations to these may be possible, so contact us- Yes talk to us! We might have a waitlist.
Each retreat has a minimum number of participants required, which may vary for each retreat. The date for any cancellation of a retreat due to lack of numbers will vary but will be listed in the information for each retreat. Registered (paid) participants will be notified asap.
We will make every effort to ensure our retreats are available as advertised. However, the owner reserves the right to make alterations due to rare and extreme unforeseen circumstances. Max and Bronwyn will contact you soon as possible if such a situation arises and every attempt will be made to accommodate you at another suitable retreat in the next 12 months or money paid will be refunded.