October 31 – November 3, 2025
This fall, the Ashokan Center welcomed artists and nature enthusiasts from across the country for a restorative four-day Draw Botanical Art & Nature Sketching Retreat led by renowned botanical artists Wendy Hollender, Lara Call Gastinger, Giacomina Ferrillo, Jean Mackay, and Vern Fannin. Set during the final golden days of autumn, the retreat transformed Ashokan’s 385 acres into an outdoor studio filled with creativity, curiosity, and community.
A Perfect Setting for Botanical Art
Ashokan’s forests, meadows, and winding trails offered endless inspiration as participants gathered leaves, pods, branches, and lichen to study and sketch. Indoors, our studios and gathering spaces buzzed with quiet focus as students practiced observational drawing, watercolor techniques, nature journaling, and the celebrated Draw Botanical Method developed by Wendy Hollender.
“Botanical drawing teaches you to slow down and really see,” one participant shared. “Ashokan is the perfect place for that.”
Learning from Leaders in the Field
Each instructor brought their own expertise — from Wendy’s structured colored pencil techniques, to Lara’s intimate nature journaling, to Vern’s playful approach to color and form. Through demonstrations, small-group coaching, and generous one-on-one feedback, artists of all skill levels found room to grow.
Participants built their own schedules, choosing sessions that inspired them most, whether sketching winter nests, building handmade sketchbooks, or composing a fall study page filled with gathered specimens.
Community, Connection & Creative Recharge
Ashokan’s mission — to inspire learning and build community through shared experiences in nature, history, music, and art — was felt throughout the retreat. Over shared meals, late-night studio hours, and guided walks, strangers became collaborators and friends.
“I came to learn botanical drawing,” said another participant, “but I found a community, too.”
A Growing Tradition at Ashokan
We are honored to host this retreat each year and to partner with the Draw Botanical team to create a place where artists can slow down, reconnect with nature, and deepen their craft.
As the weekend concluded and sketchbooks filled with leaves, seeds, branches, and memories headed home, one thing was clear:
the Ashokan Center is a place where creativity takes root and grows.
We look forward to welcoming artists back to the Catskills for future retreats and workshops.