
Creative retreats, painting vacations & art getaways
Roben Marie Smith
October 19 - 24, 2025
Paper and Book Artistry
Medium: Paint, Paper, Textiles and Bookmaking
Level: All Levels
Location: Studio
Status: Limited Availability









Deposit is $450, balance due 60 days before arrival
Day Student Tuition: $975 + Materials fee & Ct Sales Tax
5-Day Package*: $1,950 - $2,650* + Materials fee & Ct Accommodations Tax
*Your Inn-Stay Retreat Package includes:
Workshop Tuition, lodging, dinner 2 nights (welcome and farewell), breakfast and lunch each day, daily snack breaks, unlimited coffee, tea & seltzer.
For your independent dinners, there are many restaurants with a wide variety of cuisines and price points, within comfortable walking distance of the Inn, plus Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s.
Click here for Sample Daily Agenda.
You can choose a room to yourself (single occupancy) or double your fun, bring a friend and split a room (double occupancy).
To learn more about your options or to register, click the Register Now button.
Rates & Enrollment
About This Workshop
Open to students of all artistic levels, Paper and Book Artistry is for those who are ready to ditch perfection, get messy, and play with no rules. Roben-Marie’s teaching style is friendly and easy going with a focus on having fun and playing with supplies in non-traditional ways. Join Roben-Marie in a lovely historic inn located in The Connecticut River Valley for an inspiring and joyful workshop designed to help you with creative play, building up a stash of amazing art papers, and exploring the mixing of different mediums and journal making. Paper and Book Artistry is more than creative time…it’s time brimming with togetherness and friendship.
What Students Can Expect to Learn and Explore
During our live, in-person workshop, students will have the opportunity to learn and explore a wide range of creative techniques and concepts.
Mark Making and Painting
In this workshop we’ll explore mark making tools and techniques with a focus on neutrals, black and white palettes as well as Roben-Marie’s favorite papers.
Paint and Pass Practice
The popular "paint and pass" practice will be an exciting part of the workshop, allowing students to create collaborative papers with their fellow classmates.
Painted Artist Papers
Dive into the world of colorful mixed media artist papers. Our Connecticut River Valley is your playground to explore various mediums and techniques, resulting in a treasure trove of exquisite artist papers, perfectly suited for your art journals.
Collage Techniques
Roben-Marie will share her favorite paper collage ideas. Experiment with different mediums to add depth and vibrancy to your paper creations.
Textiles and Slow Stitching
Participants will learn the art of slow stitching and Roben-Marie’s easy methods for seamlessly blending fabric and thread and into mixed media journals. The incorporation of fabric and slow stitching will bring a distinct and personal touch to your artistic creations.
Bookbinding and Handmade Journals
The workshop goes beyond papers, teaching students the art of creating handmade journals and simple bookbinding techniques.
Creative Expression
Throughout the workshop, students will be encouraged to play, slow down and embrace imperfection.
Use of Various Mediums
The workshop will introduce students to a wide range of art mediums, including acrylic paints, pastels, watercolors, pencils, crayons, inks, fabric, threads and more.
A Creative Community
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist, our cozy and inspiring art retreat is open to all creative souls. This workshop is designed to provide a nurturing space where inspiration thrives, and friendships flourish.
About Roben Marie Smith
I'm a mixed media artist, instructor, and mentor. As an artist, blogger, and woman of faith, my mission is to serve others, helping them to think big, create courageously, and express themselves through art and craft. I believe anyone can cultivate their creativity and I enjoy helping others discover all that they’re capable of! I've been a working artist since 2004, am self-taught, and believe that anyone can cultivate their creative spark. I've taught mixed media art workshops and retreats across the U.S. and internationally and my work has been featured in countless books and industry magazines I'm also the creator and host of The Roben’s Nest creative community. In my spare time I love to read, bake all the things, sleep in, and travel. I live in Florida with my husband of 34 years and together we work with the youths in our church. I also have a heart for mission work, having served in Panama, El Salvador, Romania, and Honduras. Blessings, Roben-Marie
Materials
Sample Agenda
Will I receive a confirmation in the email?
You will receive an email confirmation and, as time gets closer, more email full of info and goodies.
Here is the payment schedule:
$450 deposit is due at the time of registration.
Remaining balance is due 60 days before your retreat start date
Pay in Full at time of registration and save $100 (does not apply to Day Student package)
Please read our full cancellation policy HERE
2025 Workshops Now Open for Registration
Hey There!
Please send an email to Hello@CRVInn.com (preferred)
or call us at 860-781-4389 if you have any questions.
We’ll get back to you ASAP!