Now is the time to do it.....
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:
-
Have admired stained-glass art and wondered how it's done,
-
Used to do it and need encouragement to start again,
-
Have always wanted to learn but haven't yet,
-
Long to flex their creative muscles in interesting ways,
-
Would love a weekend away with friends doing something different,
-
Have seen Marian's wonderful stained-glass artworks (@leadlight.of.day) and want to learn how to do your own.
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.
What is included from Friday 26 - 28 June 2026?
A great location set on the hillside, amongst bush, but with different ecosystems,
2 days of hands-on workshops, starting Friday night Learning & practising glass cutting, foiling, grinding, soldering as you....
Make your unique stained-glass art pieces,
Catered tasty supper, morning and afternoon teas,
Sunday lunch,
Walking tracks on the property (optional),
A guided labyrinth walk (optional),
Visit to the historic town of Dungog (optional),
Learning reflection with art journaling (optional),
A journal,
Art exercises in nature,
Design your own simple stained-glass art leaf,
Create a stained-glass leaf,
Beautiful accommodation, private or shared (see list and costs below),
Fireside reflection on creativity (weather permitting),
Breakfast Saturday & Sunday,
Dinner Saturday night.
All materials and equipment are provided.:
Just wear enclosed shoes, long trousers, long sleeves shirt (not loose flowing sleeves) for the art workshops. Aprons and gloves will be provided.
Weather changes the views- amazing in all seasons.
Gift vouchers available- contact us.
Learn skills to design your own pieces.
Marian will have starter packs available to buy at the end of the retreat: Basic or Deluxe.
Both purchased through Marian.
your investment $500
Early Bird Price: $470
Deposit of $150 to be paid before 1st May 2026
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 Both booked.
Valley View cabin– up to 2 people, in 1 bed Queen $170 p/ night
Mountain View cabin- up to 2 people, in 1 bed Queen $170 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 $140 p/ night
Queen room- (2 people) Booked
Double room- (2 people) Double bed $120 p/night
Shared single bed room- (1 with 2 adults, one with 3 adults)
Single beds $70 p/ person / night
*Locals who wish to be non-residential cost $467, deposit $150
Early Bird $440 (deposit $130 before 1st May 2026)
Mountain View cabin bedroom.
Plenty of room in the shared bedrooms.