Montreat Conference Center

Current Conferences

For anyone seeking Sabbath time and exposure to an art form – no experience necessary

Choose an art form to study for the entire week, receiving intensive artistic experience under the expert guidance of a skilled artist. Balance learning with Sabbath time, in group worship and individually, for reflection, practice, and the simple enjoyment of applying what you have learned.

Part of a continuing series of workshops led by noted regional artists, the spring and fall Arts & Sabbath Weeks at Montreat Conference Center are open to anyone interested in one of the areas being offered, regardless of experience.

Spring Retreat

Download the SPRING schedule

• Pottery: In the Potter’s Hands Each day we are in the potter’s hands being molded, stretched, and formed. In this workshop, through working with clay and exploring the relationship of the elements of earth, water, and fire, we will find a place to pause in Sabbath. Limited to 10 participants. Materials Fee: $30. Martha Nelson, Ridgecrest, NC; professional potter and pottery instructor who spends her summers teaching at the Sally Jones Pottery in Montreat.

• Watercolor Painting from Life As watercolor flows on paper, creativity is inspired and released! We will reflect on God’s creation within by observing, painting, and connecting with His work in nature and the landscape. Participants will examine the work of some classical watercolorists, and review watercolor techniques, color theory, and composition. Wrapped in the beauty of Montreat, each will be supported and encouraged to draw upon his or her own personal style as paintings are developed. All levels are welcome! Materials Fee: $35. Cheryl Keefer, Montreat, NC; a professional oil and watercolor painter, Cheryl has a degree in Art Education. She has taught watercolor at the Currie Craft Center in Montreat for six years and is an artist in residence there. She teaches oil painting from life at the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League.

Fall Retreat

Download the FALL schedule

• Pottery During this workshop we will examine the relationship between clay form and function, and our own openness to Sabbath. This will be an experience of clay immersion, meaning everyone will have their hands in clay the entire workshop. We will be hand building forms, as well as working at the potters’ wheel, with particular attention to altering forms. Materials Fee: $30. Ann Jones, Greenville, MS; Presbyterian Church (USA) minister; has served churches in Greenville, Jacksonville, Raleigh, and Baton Rouge. She is also the Director of Arts Ministry at Montreat Conference Center.

• Flowing Fibers … Meditations Join us in creating a safe, compassionate, listening fiber community. Intertwined with times of action and stillness we will explore fibers and color and how they flow together to create the fabric of our lives. Our time together will include instruction in spinning, knitting, crochet, weaving, felting and simple journals to record our journeys. We will have times of prayer and meditation to bless our work, spiritual nurture to bless our souls and wellness for fiber artists to bless our bodies. Our first session will be a yarn crawl with visits to our local yarn stores and private studios to collect our supplies. All levels welcome, no experience necessary. Materials Fee: $35. Robyn Josephs, Montreat, NC; a multi- media artist and spiritual nurturer with a current focus on fibers, and book and paper arts.

• Photography Participants will learn to express their vision of the natural world by connecting with nature in a way that allows the spirit of the natural world to find expression in photography. Skills and techniques presented will include photographic seeing and visual grammar; secrets of “Wow!” photography; composition and exposure; and landscape, wildlife, and close-up photography. This class is appropriate for beginning or intermediate, film or digital photographers. Materials Fee: $30. Joye Arden Durham; Black Mountain, NC.

Registration & Accommodations

Comprehensive Rates

We have reserved a special room block for this conference. When you make your reservation online, you will be asked to enter the group ID “sprgarts” or “fallarts” and password “montreat” to access these rooms. If you have any questions about the registration process, please email the registrar at susana[at]montreat.org or call 800.572.2257 ext. 339.

Register for program, housing, and meals

Comprehensive rates below include discounted conference fee of $185, room in Assembly Inn or Winsborough, meals in the Galax Dining Room (Sunday supper through Friday breakfast), plus a $5 community services fee per person. Rooms are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Some rooms have private baths, and some rooms have connecting baths. This rate does not include the materials fee. After March 28 / August 22, these rates will increase by $25 per person.

Assembly Inn

• Double, Private Bath: $573.50 per person
• Single, Private Bath: $768.50
• Double, Connecting Bath: $548.50 per person
• Single, Connecting Bath: $673.50
• Children 12 and older: $133.50 per child
• Children ages 5-11: $67.75 per child
• Children under 5: no charge

Winsborough

• Single, Connecting Bath: $523.50
• Double, Connecting Bath: $423.50 per person
• Children 12 and older: $133.50 per child
• Children ages 5-11: $67.75 per child
• Children under 5: no charge

Commuter Rate

Register for program only

Rate below includes conference fee of $215 plus a $5 community services fee per person. After March 28 / August 22, this rate will increase by $25 per person. This rate does not include the materials fee. When registering online, please specify workshop selection in the “comments” section. Optional meal packages for the Galax Dining Room may be requested when you register online or purchased at the front desk of Assembly Inn.

• Commuter rate: $220 per person + materials fee;

Refund Policy

Cancellations must be received by March 28 / August 22 in order to receive a full refund less a $25 service charge. Cancellations received after March 28 / August 22 but on or before May 3 / September 26 will receive a 50% refund of the conference fee and payments made toward room and meal charges (if applicable) less $40. No refunds (including materials fee) will be issued after May 3 / September 26. All requests must be in writing and received via email, fax, or U.S. mail.

More Information…

• Event begins: Sunday, May 8 / October 2, with registration, 3:30-5:00 pm, Assembly Inn Lobby.
• Event ends: Friday, May 13 / October 7, following morning prayers.
• Questions about registration? Email the registrar at susana[at]montreat.org.
• If you would like conference information mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org.
• Scholarships are available for this conference.
• Child care is not provided during this conference.
• Find out more about housing options available in Montreat.

Learn more about other opportunities offered by The Center for Faith & Life…

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