DATES: June 1-5, 2026
FEE: $2,500
SIGNUP DEADLINE: April 1
Collage and Lettering with Lynn Giunta
The signup deadline is to ensure the retreat moves forward. Also, if you're in need of financial assistance, please contact us.
Come join me as we jump into the world of lettering and collage! We can all be kids again, creating art and finding happiness at our kitchen table. No experience necessary—just bring your willingness to play and discover magic!
Workshops will focus on basic lettering, positive and negative abstract shape collage, finding your own mantra to collage, a big group project and collaging from nature.
Collage and Lettering Retreat Schedule
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4:30 pm | Wine + cheese mixer
6:00 pm | Welcome dinner
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We will use our imaginations and remember what it was like when we were kids—today is about play! Prompted writing exercises will help you discover words that resonate with you. We will continue playtime with cutting simple shapes, then spend the afternoon making patterns and painting papers to use in all the collages!
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning art session
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon art session
6:00 pm | Simple in-studio dinner
– post-dinner studio time is available –
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We will gather our words and bring them to life in a Lettering collage, incorporating some of the fun patterns and textures from Day 1. The afternoon will be spent doing simple hand lettering exercises and exploration, finding new lettering styles to incorporate into our collages. We will end the day with a nature walk and collage.
8:30 am | Early studio access
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning art session
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon art session
6:00 pm | Dinner at local restaurant*
– post-dinner studio time is available –
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We will start the day with a fun collage improv game! The morning will be spent sketching and collaging, creating your own personal collage mini collection. The afternoon will be a group collaborative collage, creating a beautiful floral piece of art together. We will finish up with a nonsensical collection of your own cut paper scraps, curated into a piece of abstract art in your sketchbook.
8:30 am | Early studio access
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning art session
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon art session
6:00 pm | Dinner at The Smiley
– post-dinner studio time is available –
-
8:30 am | Early studio access
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning art session
1:00 pm | Light lunch & goodbyes
– optional studio time until 5pm –
*Not included in retreat fee. Date of dinner out also subject to restaurant availability.
About Lynn Giunta
Lynn Giunta is a maker of things, creating happy art and positive words with scissors and collage. Every time she sits down to make something, she’s trying to recapture those moments of pure happiness that she had as a kid, sitting at the kitchen table creating crafts with her family.
Lynn stumbled into a calligraphy class while working on an undecided major in college, which opened the door to her future as a Master Lettering Artist. She started working for Hallmark Cards right out of college, and spent over 41 years there teaching workshops and creating designs with cut paper, hand lettering, and improvisation. She is a strong believer in the importance of imagination and play. She is recognized for her product excellence and her distinct, hand of the artist lettering voice.
She is always on the hunt for powerful word combinations, and the challenge of giving them a voice. Her journey of exploration led to discovering the joy of cut paper, and the endless possibilities of bringing words and illustrations to life through collage. She loves the spontaneity of cutting shapes out, and discovering the magic in the scraps that are left behind. She uses Instagram as her online creative community, and her Etsy shop as a way to share her messages of hope and positivity.
Her work has been featured in magazines (Flow, Uppercase and Origin), she has illustrated several children’s books, and she has taught workshops all across the country, including ICON and the first ever Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise.
“The creative space was perfect – full of light and room to create. the meals were exceptional, not your ordinary retreat food, beautifully presented and so delicious. And the grounds of the manse are stunning. I can’t wait for my next visit!”
— Kay
2025 Smiley retreat participant
Where You’ll Be Creating
Springfield, Vermont
The Smiley Manse Barn
Nestled up behind the main property is the barn. This turn of the last century post-and-beam construction with a slate roof that rises to a massive walled cupola, the barn is noted as one of the finest carriage barns in the region. Learn more about the history of The Smiley here.
Inside, you’ll find large flat work tables, each a place to explore and express your individual creativity, yet the atmosphere encourages connection and dialogue. Whether it’s the sound of a paintbrush sweeping across the page or folks discussing technique over coffee, the barn serves as a meeting ground for artists of all levels to create and build lasting relationships, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
We strive to create a space where the act of making art is as much about building community as it is about self-expression.
Join us for a chance to unwind and create in an idyllic setting.
Your Retreat Includes:
Custom designed art curriculum by Lynn
3.5 days of creative instruction
Extra studio access before/after each full day
All meals (except 1 dinner out)
Welcome wine mixer
Tea, coffee, and snacks always available in the barn
Usage of our art supply stash during the retreat
Private FB group before/after the retreat
What’s Not Included:
Accommodations – there are several great options nearby!
Transportation to/from The Smiley
1 dinner out at a local restaurant