Scroll down for the Sneek Peek Winter Retreat
The Cove Art Retreat
Westport, ON
Summer Retreat • Sunday, August 24 to Saturday, August 30, 2025
The 2025 theme for my annual Art Retreat, "The Courage to Create," is inspired by the search for a new venue. This theme encourages participants to step out of their comfort zones and bravely explore new creative avenues, especially ideas they've been contemplating for a long time. Have you ever wanted to try oil painting 'en plein air' or delve into traditional glazing techniques? When was the last time you picked up a graphite pencil and opened your worn sketchbook? Now is the perfect time to reflect on what you know best and plan to explore what you know the least. Embrace this opportunity to dive in!
If you feel safe in the area that you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth, and when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting. -David Bowie
This retreat is a powerful opportunity to break free from your fears and step into a vibrant, playful, and creative way of expressing yourself in the world. I am committed to helping every participant develop a customized plan tailored to their individual needs, as this is one of my key strengths. I encourage you to consider starting a new series or completing works in progress with support and encouragement. You are welcome to request demonstrations of techniques for exploring new mediums or mixed media combinations, or to engage in discussions about conceptual narratives using items or ideas that are significant to you.
Artists of all levels and mediums, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, soft pastel, mixed media, ink, charcoal, and colored pencils, are welcome. This Mixed Media Queen will begin mornings with customized exercises to provoke and inspire you, featuring colour, composition, subject matter, material techniques, and expression, all in a safe and comfortable space. Afternoons are open studio time for personal projects and requests with demos and instruction on demand. There will be unfettered guidance, critiques, drawing, painting in your chosen medium, mixed media expertise, and delight in the process of creation with wings to fly!
-Sharlena Wood
Discovering The Cove Inn
My vision is to create a very special experience, a 'get-away’ art retreat where we have time and space to focus on creating, to be inspired by the beautiful land in Ontario, and each other. When I walked into The Cove and met Seamus, I knew immediately this was the vibe we wanted and deserved. The ‘studio’ space is perfect, #1 on my list. After staying for a delicious lunch and a couple of Paper Planes (a Seamus fav!), I booked our 2025 August week immediately before happily skipping home. For those Amherst ride ‘n’ die-hards who know Brenda Willows, give her a smile and thank you - she was my inspiration and grounding rock for this retreat research trip.
The Historic Cove Inn
The Cove Inn is known as one of the grand old houses in Westport. Family owned, this gorgeous 150-year-old vintage hotel is a special place for local residents & visitors alike to enjoy great food, comfortable accommodations, the best in live entertainment … and we are taking it over for the most amazing week of creating!
Accomodations
There are 10 rooms with one queen bed. There are 2 shared rooms at a special rate: 1 room with two doubles, 1 room with a queen + double (sofa bed). All rooms have a fridge and air-conditioning. Please contact The Cove Inn to book your room: https://coveinn.com/hotel-rooms/
Studio View
The Conference Room aka ‘The Cove Studio’ overlooks Westport Pond. North-facing windows bring in natural light to the air-conditioned room, set up with a table and chair per person, plenty of room, and daily service of Food/Snacks + Drinks for breaks.
This is a secure, private space for the week to host our precious art supplies, plus access to the ‘The Cove Studio’ after hours for night owls.
MEALS
A continental-style breakfast is provided in the fridge in your rooms.
A full sit-down lunch main from the menu, and dinner including main, soup or salad and dessert for dinner are included daily at a reserved table space indoors or on the patio. Striploin orders are $20 extra.
You can view the current menu here https://coveinn.com/dining/ note the menu changes each season.
Amenities
Free Parking & Wifi
Air Conditioning
Outdoor waterside property spaces to enjoy and create en plein air
Full-Service Restaurant and Bar with Patio
BYOB to stash in your room’s mini fridge. Note: alcohol consumed while dining at lunch and dinner must be purchased at the restaurant.
Live Music Every Night
Group spaces to read, play games, socialize
Westport Location
The Village of Westport is a beautiful artsy, rural town, steeped in heritage. With wonderful shops, access to the Upper Rideau Lake waterfront, and Foley Mountain Conservation area, all just outside The Cove Inn’s doorstep!
Easy to get to from Ottawa, Brockville, Belleville, Kingston. Less than 4 hours from Toronto West end.
Summer Art Retreat Registration
Fees & responsibilities
$800 per person for daily instruction and studio rental.
Payable to Sharlena via e-transfer sharlenawood@gmail.com, 50% to reserve your registration, balance due August 1, 2025
This is the first step to securing your spot in the retreat!Accommodations and meals are $290 x 6 nights (+ HST) per person, payable to and booked with The Cove Inn directly. A credit card on file is required to hold your reservation and room choice. Total payment will be charged during the week before check-in.
Gratuity for hospitality room service and meals - Bring cash, small bills, just like staying at a resort.
You are responsible for your own travel, art materials/easel, studio goals, communication and respectful conduct at all times.
Cancellations must be made no less than 2 months prior to the start of the retreat, less a $80 administrative fee (20% of the deposit). No refunds or credits for cancellations made after that time. There are no exceptions.
SCHEDULE
Arrive on Sunday, August 24th in the afternoon by 3pm to check-in.
Reserved Parking: Fredenburgh property, 23 Main Street
Open Studio Workshop, Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm
Mornings begin with an inspiring exercise and demonstration.
One plein air excursion to Foley Mountain.
Leave Saturday, August 30th after lunch (check out of rooms by 11am) note, we are in the studio for that final morning, for a group meeting, final touches, and packing up.
Sneak Peek Winter Retreat
Thursday January 9 to Sunday January 12, 2025
Arrive Thursday to check in at 3pm (earlier is ok) spend Friday & Saturday in the Studio, check out Sunday after breakfast by 11am.
Westport is beautiful in the winter. This is an opportunity to cozy up for 2 days in the studio together and explore ‘Variations on a Theme’. Using inspiration from the landscape and still life, I’ll demonstrate working on a reference of your choice in multiple different ways ie colour palette, technique, style, mediums.
The Cove Inn offers a ‘Cozy Up Deal - Book 2 Nights, Get the 3rd Night FREE!’. The studio cost + reduced instruction rate will be shared between the group at $150 per person.
Continental Breakfast provided in your room fridge every morning. I booked a room with a Kitchenette to make lunch sandwiches from the grocery store just down the street. We have a group reservation, Thursday - Saturday night at 6pm in the restaurant, check out the menu & Live Music every night from 5-8pm.
