Joyful Junkin’ with Lori Siebert
DATES: July 11-17, 2027
FEE: $2,750
We need enough sign-ups by April 1st to confirm this retreat. You can still register after that date if the retreat is running and space remains.
Need financial assistance? Please contact us.
Lori Siebert can never resist a good junk shop, flea market or antique mall—and the quirkier the find, the better! What she loves most is taking forgotten, well-loved treasures and giving them a brand-new life.
This year, Lori is opening up the possibilities and inviting you to play, explore and create whatever inspires you. Maybe a handful of rusty bits becomes a whimsical bird. A collection of buttons turns into a flower. An old piece of hardware becomes a face, a figure or something completely unexpected. There are no rules—and no two creations will be alike.
Throughout the week, we’ll hunt for wonderful junk gems, experiment with assembling and altering found objects, and explore how ordinary things can become extraordinary works of art. You’ll also create your own junk journal, filling it with bits, pieces, papers, words, images and treasures gathered along the way.
Bring your curiosity, your imagination and a willingness to see possibilities in the things other people might overlook. And, of course, feel free to bring some of your own favorite “junk gems” to add to the mix.
All levels are welcome. Come ready to hunt, gather, play and make something wonderfully unexpected!
JOYFUL JUNKIN’ RETREAT SCHEDULE
-
An easy evening to get settled, meet fellow artists and introduce the week ahead.
4:30 pm | Wine + Cheese Mixer
6:00 pm | Welcome Dinner
-
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning outing to a local antique mall
Hunt for the good stuff!
We’ll look for forgotten treasures, unusual objects, vintage finds and bits of junk that spark an idea.
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Studio time: Curate + Begin Your Junk Journal
We’ll sort, layer, collect and begin creating our journals while getting ideas for the week’s assemblages.
6:00 pm | Simple in-studio dinner
– 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: Junk Birds, Flowers, Faces or Figures
Let the treasures you found become something unexpected.
Create your own characters, creatures, flowers, faces or whatever your collection inspires.
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon art session
Continue creating and experimenting with combining found objects, paint, paper and other mixed-media elements.
6:00 pm | Dinner at local restaurant*
– post-dinner studio time is available –
-
8:30 am | Early studio access
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning outing to hunt for more junk gems
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon art session: Add, Alter & Assemble
Bring your new treasures back to the studio and see what they want to become.
6:00 pm | Simple in-studio dinner
– post-dinner studio time is available –
-
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning art session
Create whatever calls to you!
More birds, flowers, figures, faces, vessels, assemblages…or something completely unexpected.
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon art session: Layering + Finishing Details
Paint, collage, stitch, embellish and transform your found objects into one-of-a-kind pieces.
6:00 pm | Simple in-studio dinner
– post-dinner studio time is available –
-
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning art session: Bring It All Together
Spend the day finishing your assemblages.
Fill your junk journal with pieces, papers, images, words, sketches and treasures collected throughout the week.
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon art session
Open Studio + Finishing
A relaxed afternoon to complete projects, experiment with new ideas and simply enjoy making together.
6:00 pm | Celebration dinner
– final evening studio time is available –
-
9:30 am | Light breakfast
10:00 am | Show + Share
We’ll gather together to share the wonderful, quirky, unexpected things we created during the week.
11:30 am | Farewell + hugs
*Not included in retreat fee. Date of dinner out also subject to restaurant availability.
About Lori Siebert
When asked to define her artistic style, Lori Siebert says that she likes to be a bit of a chameleon. Constantly experimenting with different styles and mediums feeds her insatiable curiosity. She has a very whimsical design sense and loves to play with color to give each collection that and she designs its own unique personality.
She started taking private art lessons at the young age of 7 and continued to study art throughout high school. This lead to a degree in graphic design from the University of Cincinnati. She opened her own design firm just 3 years out of college in 1987. Her firm, Olika Studios, has developed branding and design programs for influential clients such as Target, Bath & Body Works, Nickelodeon and Universal Studios.
Lori began the art licensing arm of her business 15 years ago and now works with several top manufactures in the gift and home decor industry. Her client list includes Demdaco, Creative Co-op, Studio M, Lang and many more. Her licensed products have been sold through many key retailers and small gift shops throughout the United States and Canada.
She has been featured in “Where Women Create” and “Where Women Create Business.” She is also the co- founder of ArtBizJam and ArtBizJam Abundance, which provide helpful business tips and networking opportunities for women artists. And, she hosts and teaches at several creative retreats each year in Europe and the USA.
“I felt relaxed and welcomed. Beautiful spaces, excellent food, and thoughtful details everywhere.”
— Ann
2024 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 Lori
7 days of creative instruction
Extra studio access before/after each full day
All meals (except 1 dinner out)
Tea, coffee, and snacks always available in the barn
Usage of our art supply stash during 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