FIBER COLLEGE: Touchstones Retreat Experience September 9-13, 2026
Once you arrive and settle in, the days begin to open up. There’s a gentle rhythm to them—time to work, time to wander, time to simply pay attention.
We come together to make, to notice, and to follow curiosity where it leads. Some hours look like focused studio time; other moments might be filled with a walk to the water, a conversation that lingers, or a small discovery that becomes a turning point in your work.
Think of this as a coddiwomple journey: moving with purpose, even when you don’t yet know exactly where you’ll arrive.
You’ll be part of a small, close-knit group (only 8-10 participants in each program).
In class, you’ll get all the skills, help and support you need to develop a really personal, one-of-a-kind project—maybe even more than one! It's a chance to take a deep dive and hear your soul whispering.
The ideas and inspiration will continue outside of class, too. You’ll visit the other workshops, take walks along the beach and gather for breaks and meals with your teachers and fellow makers. Everyone understands the challenges and rewards of the making things, and relishes the chance to talk about color, design, texture, and the finer points of comparison between different wools, botanical pigments, fibers and papers.
Zero to hero...go home with a beautiful project (no prior experience needed)~ Rod from CA
This is a healing, restorative space~Kathleen from ME
My experience at Fiber College surpassed all of my expectations~Simone from FL
"We don’t move straight from one step to the next. Instead, we let the work lead us—following questions, textures, and unexpected turns as they appear." Janice from VA
We all need time to stroll...not stride. Here, in our 150 acres of private oceanfront forest, you can take inspiration from the Japanese practice of shinrin-roko or 'forest bathing.' No swimsuit is required! Just take a little time to wander slowly among our century oaks, cedars and fern glades. Breathe in the scents and notice the shapes and textures of life around you. It's scientifically proven to reduce stress and lower your blood pressure!
This retreat isn’t about following a fixed path.
It’s about moving with intention—letting curiosity, place, and process guide you. What you carry home may surprise you.
"Somewhere along the way, the work starts to weave us together. Conversations deepen, meals stretch longer, and the studio feels less like a workspace and more like a shared home." Shelley from IN
Relax and leave the meals to us...
We prepare everything from scratch in our outdoor kitchen situated in the middle of the gardens. September is harvest time and we use lots of fresh, local produce...a farm-to-fork experience with herbs from the garden, wood-fired flatbreads, and craft beverages. In case you were wondering, every meal will have a gluten free and a vegetarian option but please note that the kitchen isn't gluten free and people suffering from celiac will need to take their own precautions.
"I can't say enough about the food and the company...the retreat would have been worth it even without my amazing workshop!" Jayne
By the end of the week, what you’re holding reflects more than a technique. It carries the marks of place, time, and the people you shared it with.
You’ll be leaving with a sense of deep satisfaction—and, maybe, even surprise—at the beauty of the items you have been able to create.
“Empowered” was a word we heard more than once as last year's retreat drew to a close. This means you will be going home not only with new skills and ideas, but also with the confidence to trust your own creative instincts—and to give yourself permission to explore, innovate and be original.
Whether you are new to Fiber College, or one of our old friends, you immediately become ‘one of us’—a group of like-minded people who share each other’s hopes, struggles, and successes as we push our creative boundaries. When you talk with your friends who weren't lucky enough to join you in Searsport, you'll find yourself using words like ‘connection’, ‘inspiration’, ‘support’, and ‘renewed’.
We've been hosting Fiber College events since 2005 and we're thrilled to share our experience and circle of mentors with you. Our definition of success is simple: you leave us feeling that you’ve been part of something special that could never be replicated in a different place...and are already making plans to return next year.
"The people were so friendly and approachable!" Anne
