Welcome to the Wine Country

• Northern California • December 8 - 11, 2024 •

We’re mixing things up this year and heading to Calistoga, an hour and a half north of San Francisco, in the beautiful Northern California wine country. Piggybacking again on the popular ICB Open Studios, we will be getting together in an intimate setting where we can paint until our heart’s content.

This 4 day/3 night immersive retreat will be tailored to those interested in expanding their art practice by going bigger. All levels are welcome and you don’t need to be in the Art with Adele Academy.

Space is limited to 14 lucky artists so if you’re interested, lock in your spot by registering at the bottom of this page.

If you have any questions, reach out to Jen.

Where we’re staying

There are two room types on the property - individual rooms with a king bed and a shared room with two queen beds. All rooms are deluxe, mid-century style with locally sourced furnishings, posh lighting, floor-to-ceiling wood panels, and geometric rugs. In-room coffee, small refrigerators, bathrobes and plush towels included.

Accommodations & Rates

Individual Room — $3,900

Includes: Accommodations, All day instruction, Transportation to/from San Francisco (optional), All art supplies including paints, brushes, canvases and so much more; Breakfasts, Lunches, A Welcome Happy Hour and Dinner, and use of free bicycles, pools, and a hot tub.

Click below to reigster.

Shared Room — $3,550

Includes: Accommodations, All day instruction, Transportation to/from San Francisco (optional), All art supplies including paints, brushes, canvases and so much more; Breakfasts, Lunches, A Welcome Happy Hour and Dinner, and use of free bicycles, pools, and a hot tub. Price is per person.

Click below to register.

Note: If you have someone you’d like to room with, there will be a place to make that request after reserving your spot. Don’t worry if you don’t, we will match you with another lovely artist.

Cancellation Policy

What we’re doing

Proposed schedule

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8

12:30pm: Shuttle pick up in San Francisco (optional)

3pm: Arrive to Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa and get settled

5-6pm: Welcome Happy Hour

6pm: Group Dinner on property

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9

8-9am: Breakfast

10am: Instruction

1pm: Lunch Break

4pm: Wrap up, explore town or enjoy some time to relax (there is a spa on the property, and we will receive 15% off any treatment)

6pm: Dinner on your own or continue painting

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10

8-9am: Breakfast

10am: Instruction

1pm: Lunch Break

4pm: Wrap up, explore town or enjoy some time to relax (there is a spa on the property, and we will receive 15% off any treatment)

6pm: Dinner on your own or continue painting

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11

8-9am: Breakfast

10am: Instruction

1pm: Lunch Break • Check out of room

4pm: Wrap up

6pm: Shuttle to leave back to San Francisco (optional)

Note: This is a proposed schedule and plans may change depending on what the group wants to do. We will have access to the room where we’ll painting 24/7 which is a nice option for any night owls.

Things to Think About As you Plan Your Trip

Plan to arrive to Calistoga Motor Lodge by 3pm on Sunday, December 8

Area of Focus

We’ll push the boundaries and embrace a larger new canvas: 24 x 24"!

We’ll have a magical space to spread out, challenge ourselves, and create art that breaks free from the ordinary. Remember the saying, "Go big or go home!" This retreat includes everything, so all you need to do is focus on your art and have fun! We’ll spend time diving deep into color, composition, value and loosening up to create larger works of art.

Visiting Open Studios

Many of you may have heard about ICB Open Studios, located slightly north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito. It’s a 3-story building that houses nearly 100 artists, and they open their studios to show off their work 3 times a year. The largest is in December and it’s always festive right before the holidays. If you’ve never been, give yourself a day or two beforehand to explore and see some fabulous art.

Transportation

For those interested, we will provide transportation from San Francisco to Calistoga on Sunday, December 8.

Pick up will be between 12:30-1pm and will most likely be in The Presidio at The Tunnel Tops making it an easy central location. If you are staying in or near SF the night before, it should be easy to take an Uber or Lyft to The Tunnel Tops.

We will also provide group transportation back to San Francisco the evening of Wednesday, December 11. Be sure to plan accordingly when looking at flights should you need a ride back from Calistoga.

We will also share participant contact information well in advance if you’re interested in carpooling or going in on a car rental with someone else. Free parking is available once on property and in Calistoga.

Curious What Others Are Saying?

“Adele & Jen are the best …fantastic instruction, professional, passionate, and attuned to each individual. I would absolutely do it again.”
— Katie
“I had the most wonderful experience during the Art with Adele retreat! I came away with a plethora of knowledge that I will apply to my art practice. Adele openly shares her practice and techniques, and is thoughtful, kind and authentic. She truly enjoys sharing with and helping her students. I hope to return for another one of her retreats in the future - it was life changing!”
— Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

  • There are 3 airports in the area: SFO (San Francisco), OAK (Oakland) and a smaller, less traveled Santa Rosa (STS). If flying into SFO, we will have transportation arranged from the city (not the airport) up to Calistoga.

  • We are staying at The Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa at 880 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, California, United States, 94515.

    If you’d like, we will be offering a shuttle to pick people up from San Francisco (not the airport) on Sunday, December 8. It is easy to take an Uber or Lyft into the city.

    If you want to come up on your own to Calistoga, an Uber may cost you around $150 one way.

    There is also free parking on site should you want to rent a car or drive yourself.

  • Absolutely! Select the “Shared Room” option when you reserve your spot and we’ll match you up with another artist.

    We will do our best to accommodate roommate requests so please indicate your preference on the form we will send you once your booking has been confirmed. Rooms/roommates will otherwise be assigned randomly as received.

    NOTE: If during the retreat you are not happy with your rooming situation, you will be responsible for making alternative arrangements at your own expense.

    • Transportation to/from SF (optional)

    • All breakfasts and lunches, drinks (non-alcoholic)

    • A welcome dinner on the first night

    • Lodging

    • Group and personalized instruction with Adele

    • Art supplies!!!

    • Complimentary WiFi, free parking, access to pools and hot tubs

    • Cruiser bikes (courtesy of Calistoga Motor Lodge)

    • Airfare to the Bay Area

    • Transportation to Calistoga (if it’s outside the group pick up and drop ff time)

    • Alcohol

    • A few dinners (fabulous recommendations within walking distance will be provided). We will have a Welcome dinner on the first night.

    • Spa treatments (you will receive 15% off) and any hotel incidentals

    • Shipping of any finished art or supplies

  • You will not be disappointed!

    • Paints (heavy body)

    • Paint brushes - both round and flat synthetic brushes

    • Gloss medium and gesso

    • Water bucket

    • Palette knife

    • Palette paper

    • Canvases (12 x 12” and 24 x 24”) and/or canvas paper

    • Aprons

    • Collage papers, antique books, handouts with more detailed information

    • If you have a favorite something, bring it along - you may want to use your own tools, paints or collage papers.

  • ICB/ART is a collective of more than 100 well-known San Francisco Bay Area, Marin County and Sausalito professional artists who work in a variety of media — oil and acrylics, pastels, egg tempera, clay, fiber, photography, jewelry, sculpture and digital media.

    The building is located in Sausalito and they typically host an Open Studios a few times a year.

    One main reason we’re planning the retreat this time of year is so you can arrive a few days early to visit Open Studios.