Figure Drawing at
The Smiley Manse

2025 Dates:

11 June (5-7pm)
16 July (5-7pm)
13 August (4:30-7:30pm)
17 September (4-7pm)

FEE: $35

Art in the Garden & Barn: Figure Drawing Sessions

Join us for a unique figure drawing experience, set against the serene backdrop of our private gardens or within our historic turn-of-the-century barn. Enjoy the opportunity to draw the human form in a peaceful, inspiring environment.

Event Details:

  • 2025 Dates:
    11 June (5-7pm)
    16 July (5-7pm)
    13 August (4:30-7:30pm)
    17 September (4-7pm)

  • Location: 485 Cherry Hill Springfield, Vermont 05156

  • Supplies: Please bring your own art supplies, including paper, pencils, charcoal, or your preferred medium. We have a limited number of easels available to share but don't forget to bring a rigid board and clips if needed.

Cancellation Policy: Please check this site for the unlikely event of a cancelation.

Inclusivity: The Smiley is committed to celebrating diversity. We welcome models of all ages, genders, and body types to participate.

Sessions require a minimum enrollment, please register ahead by emailing: retreats@the-smiley-manse.com The $35 fee is payable in cash at the door.

“"When I draw the figure outdoors, it feels like a quiet collaboration with nature—a moment where the human form and the world around it come alive together in light and shadow."”

— Gretchen
2024 participant

Where You’ll Be Creating

Springfield, Vermont
The Smiley Manse Gardens & Barn

Nestled behind the main property is the barn, a stunning turn-of-the-century post-and-beam structure crowned with a slate roof and a towering walled cupola. Known as one of the finest carriage barns in the region, it exudes both history and charm.

Inside, the barn’s welcoming atmosphere fosters both focus and connection, where the gentle sound of a pencil gliding across paper or a paintbrush sweeping across a canvas harmonizes with conversations about technique and shared experiences.

Just outside, the private garden offers another inspiring space for creativity. Among blooming flowers and rustling leaves, artists gather to draw figures, capturing the play of light and shadow in a serene natural setting. The garden and barn together create a unique environment, blending the tranquility of nature with the warmth of community.

Here, art becomes more than an act of self-expression—it’s a way to build relationships, exchange ideas, and be inspired by others. Whether in the garden or the barn, this is a place where creativity and connection flourish side by side.