2026 Workshops
Primitive Pinch-Pots, Pit, and Pyre: Janelle Gramling
Test the limits of clay and the fleeting nature of human control in this very experimental two-part workshop. Friday evening we will be forming small pots using a simple pinching method. Over the following 24 hours, sunshine-willing, we will be quick-drying the pots so that on Saturday night we can ceremoniously fire them in a hole in the ground. Vessel survival is not in the least bit guaranteed. But by collaboration with chance, smoke, and the potential for material failure, we will practice non-attachment, and enjoy a healthy dose of communal optimism while we fuck around and find out.
Airbrush T-shirt & Stencil Making: Zachary Ochoa
Bring your own clothes to stencil and airbrush on or use one of the provided t shirts to create a one of a kind masterpiece.
Paper Lantern Making: Moriah Iverson
Learn how to craft a paper lantern using a willow twig frame, wet strength tissue paper, and battery operated tea lights. Paper lanterns can be as simple or intricate as you can imagine and are a beautiful way to light up the night.
Field Recording: Xav Leplae
Field Recording: The Art of Listening — an introduction to capturing sound outside the studio using your phone as a recorder, with techniques for finding sounds worth catching. Each participant gathers 5–10 minutes of sound, and the group's clips will be combined into a shared piece reflecting the place, made entirely of listening. No experience necessary — just bring a charged phone.
Making Hope: A Fabric Flag Workshop: Hattie Grimm
Using playful writing and drawing strategies, campers will find liberatory language - restorative blessings, manifestations, and/or affirmations. To share their message, they will make mixed media flags out of upcycled fabric, yarn, embroidery, markers, and paint that will be used in a musical parade at the conclusion of the workshop.
Indigo Dyeing (synthetic vat): Grace Rother
Participants will be invited to renew old clothes, linens, textiles with a dip (or 3!) in an indigo vat. Outcomes can range from a simple color shift to more elaborate manipulations like resists (portions tied off with thread) and ombre effects.. ✨
Basket Weaving with Abbie Wilson
Make your own basket! Basket weaving with Flat Reed.
Plein Air Painting
An introduction to painting outdoors with watercolor, working directly from imagery around the retreat. All supplies are provided, though you're welcome to bring your own. Finished paintings will be exhibited together for campers to see.
Shared Passages & Star Gazing: Caitlin Rooney
Intentional time to share and discuss passages that pertains to the stars followed by guided open stargazing! Participants are encouraged to bring a passage of any kind, (magazine, book, online article or blog post...all formats welcome, etc), that indirectly or directly relates to our night sky so that we can collaboratively stitch together a new story-- much like the constellations above our heads!
Zines as Creative Release: Ladasia Bryant
Unleash creative freedom through the creation of zines. Learn zine history, look through an extensive library, and work with recycled supplies to create unique 1 of 1 zines to keep or trade.
Deep Listening Plant Walk: Kayle Karbowski
Get to know the plants on Moonlight Retreat's campus! This workshop is a plant identification walk that includes some techniques for practicing being present with plants.
Kinusaiga Quilt Squared: Carly Huibregtse
Learn a no-sew textile technique and create your own quilt square wall hanging!
Chutney and Chats: Varsha Chawda
Join as we learn how to make chutney (Indian salsa) and chat!
Feathered Friends Mosaic: Alex Christopher Hayes
Connect with creativity and nature through this hands-on workshop to embellish a bird house for our feathery friends! Participants will learn how to safely cut, break, arrange, and grout a mosaic using recycled materials.
Breathe In-between – Conscious Breathing: Bena Chawda
You bring your breath and we co-create a space for us to connect, grow, and breathe together. Please bring headphones and a device to listen to your favorite song for our beginning grounding practice, as well as something comfortable to lay on outside.
Birdwatching as Contemplative Creative Practice: Max Van Loan
Birdwatching can be a practice of contemplation, of meditation, of valuing our immediate surroundings. Walk with Milwaukee filmmaker and artist Max Van Loan and attune your eyes and ears to the flighty neighbors who you might someday call friends.