Monhegan Watercolor Art Retreat 2027 ~ July 23-27 Session 2

This retreat welcomes a range of experience, from confident beginners to advanced painters. Sessions are structured so that each participant can work at a pace and level that suits them, with individual guidance offered throughout. If you've completed a beginner watercolor class (in person or online) or have some independent painting experience, you'll be well prepared.

No prior professional experience is necessary. What matters most is a genuine interest in watercolor and a willingness to explore new techniques in a supportive, small-group setting.

Yes. On the first day, we offer an optional prep session designed specifically for newer painters. This gives you a chance to get comfortable with your materials, review foundational techniques, and ask questions in a relaxed setting, so you can dive confidently into the full lessons when they begin on the morning of day two.

Experienced painters are welcome and valued here. Your insight and support add a great deal to the group, and we love having seasoned artists in the mix. That said, this retreat is centered on group lessons and demonstrations focused on subject matter around the island, designed to expose you to new techniques and styles you may not typically explore on your own. If you're looking for a more independent, self-guided retreat with a strong focus on individual critique, you may find one of the other groups on the island better suited to what you're after.

You'll stay for four nights at the historic Monhegan House, an island inn known for its charm, helpful staff, wonderful food, and comfortable simplicity. Because meals and lodging live under one roof, there's no shuttling between a workshop site and a place to sleep.

Rooms at the Monhegan House feature comfortable beds and linens, along with down comforters to keep you cozy on cool Maine island nights. Each room also has a fan for airflow on warmer days. Please note there is no air conditioning on the island, which is typical of Monhegan's historic buildings and part of its Maine coastal charm.

The Monhegan House maintains very clean, well-kept facilities throughout the inn. Bathrooms are shared, but each toilet has its own individually locked room, and each shower is likewise its own locked, private space, so you'll always have privacy when you need it. The second floor features a full wing of private showers and toilets with sinks. Beach and bath towels are provided. We recommend packing a robe and slippers for easy trips to and from your room. Our guests are respectful of one another and mindful of shared spaces, which helps the whole house feel comfortable and easy for everyone.

From the Portland International Jetport, renting a car is the most reliable option, since there's no direct public transit to the ferry terminals. The drive to Port Clyde takes about two hours along Route 1. Some guests choose to arrange a car service.

We recommend staying in either Portland or Port Clyde the night before your ferry departure. Portland offers more lodging and dining options if you're flying in and want a comfortable first night after travel, while staying in Port Clyde puts you right at the ferry terminal, which can take some pressure off an early morning departure.

From Boston, plan on roughly 170–180 miles to reach the ferry terminal at Port Clyde, which is typically a three-and-a-half to four-hour drive, followed by the ferry crossing.

Your ferry ticket allows up to two bags. If you have additional luggage, low-cost tags can be purchased at the terminal to cover the extra pieces. A soft-sided duffel bag travels more easily than a hard suitcase, and art supplies should be kept in a single, manageable bag if possible.

Yes. There are many quiet spaces available for personal health and away time, and nothing is mandatory. Guests are encouraged to take what they need, both in and out of sessions, to use their time as they see fit.

Monhegan is rugged, with no paved roads, and paths are sandy and can be rocky in places. Guests must be able to walk short distances and climb stairs, since there are no elevators in the Monhegan House or anywhere else on the island. A golf cart can be arranged as part of your package for planned retreat activities, and transportation outside of scheduled activities can be arranged separately through the Monhegan Golf Cart Taxi Service, at your own expense.

Yes. Non-participating guests are welcome to stay with you if you book a Private Queen Room only Shared Double and Shared Triple rooms cannot accommodate a spouse or partner. If your spouse or partner is interested in joining any of the dinners or additional activities, just reach out to me directly and we can arrange it for an additional fee.

We only recommend traveling on the Monhegan Boat Line. Other ferries run smaller vessels that can cancel in inclement weather or during a small craft advisory, and we don't want you to be left behind or miss out on the adventure. MBL runs rain or shine.

Monhegan has a small health clinic with limited hours that can accommodate minor injuries. Major health events may require rapid response from the mainland, so we strongly suggest travel insurance.

Yes. Gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian dietary needs can be accommodated.

Our pricing reflects everything that's built into the experience, not just the instruction itself. Your investment includes four nights of accommodations at the Monhegan House, daily gourmet breakfast, two dinners, and a full slate of included activities, from the plein air sculpture garden session to the scenic boat tour and museum tickets. Most importantly, it reflects lessons that are tailored to artists at many stages in their creative journey, whether you're picking up a brush for the first time or refining a practice you've had for years.

Many other retreats on the island take a different approach, focused primarily on demonstrations and critiques with generous stretches of independent painting time, and with food and lodging offered separately. It's a wonderful style, and one that many artists genuinely prefer, especially those seeking a more self-directed island experience built around their own studio time. We celebrate that this variety exists on Monhegan, since every artist works differently. Our retreat simply offers a different vibe: one where instruction, community, meals, and lodging are woven together into a single, all-inclusive week, so you can arrive and focus entirely on your art without piecing anything together on your own.

Groups here stay small by design, which means real time with an instructor who knows your name and your work by the second day, not a crowded classroom where feedback comes in passing. Painting happens outdoors as often as the weather allows, in the same gardens and coves the island's artists have painted for generations. The Monhegan House dining room is at our disposal in case of inclement weather, a unique convenience on an island with no other large indoor gathering spaces, so instruction continues without interruption, rain or shine. Meals and lodging live under one roof, so there's no shuttling between a workshop site and a place to sleep. Evenings carry their own rhythm, alternating between informal, project-based activities and unstructured time to paint together as the sun sets, alongside a walk to the brewery or a quiet evening on the porch. This retreat holds a balance that can be hard to find elsewhere: serious instruction alongside genuine rest, in a setting where both are given equal weight. Our guests tell us again and again that the group is supportive, friendly, and warm, creating the perfect environment for creativity.

You know yourself best, so please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions before booking. You can email me directly at kristin@kristinsimmons.com..