upcoming Workshops & Retreats
July 11, 2026 | 12-6PM
STUCK ON A SONG
The lovely Laura Colwell is back! Lead vocalist/songwriter of the band Sun June, and a former Hilltown Commons artist in residence is returning to the hill for an afternoon of collaborative songwriting. Bring a song at any stage: finished, half-formed, or just an idea that won't leave you alone. Laura will share her songwriting philosophy, lead group exercises and prompts, and hold space for the kind of low-stakes vulnerability that actually gets things unstuck.
No song yet? Come anyway. She'll give you one.
LIVE MUSIC From CORALAI
with Special Guest Laura Colwell
New Orleans-based string band Coralai makes their Hilltown Commons debut Saturday evening, with an opening set from Laura Colwell. Rooted in classical, Black American, Arabic, Jewish, Balkan, and South American traditions, they weave original music from the full range of their members' backgrounds and ancestries to create the kind of sound that feels both ancient and completely alive. Their debut album, Secret Earth, came out this spring.
Catch them the night before at Velvet Earth, then join us Saturday for an intimate evening at The Pub.
Saturday, July 11 - 7PM
We're teaming up with Catskill Crew for a full weekend of old-school summer camp energy. Spend the weekend competing in archery, tincture making, a campus-wide photo scavenger hunt, a talent show, some fireside ghost stories with the legend that is Jonathan Kruk, and MUCH more! Coordinate lodging with your friends, but just know the teams are randomized…so come ready to make new ones!
August 7 - 9, 2026
CAMP COMMONS
August 21 - 23, 2026
Reset & Return: An Experimental Print Retreat BY Secret Riso Club
This multi-day program will be centered on play, experimentation and slowness. We aim to create an experience that allows participants to not put too much pressure on themselves, their practice or the outcome of their work. We want participants to come into this experience with open minds and embrace mistakes, unpredictability and uncertainty. Our collective goal is to reset by getting back in touch with our creative selves through nature.
Little nights, big weekend
September 4-7, 2026
Join Little Nights For three days and nights, you'll be writing, drawing, and exercising all those creative muscles you rarely have the time and space to activate in everyday life. You don't have to be a writer or an artist to join and you don't need a portfolio or a writing sample. All you need is a desire to spend a few days focused on your creative practice, and an interest in doing that work in a small community of others.
Women and Gestalt Gathering
September 16-20, 2026
Join us during the Autumn Equinox for the third Women and Gestalt Gathering. Together, we’ll explore what it means to show up fully as women, as leaders, and as ourselves through a blend of structured and emergent practices rooted in Gestalt work. Across a series of guided and emergent practices, including embodied presence, relational mindfulness, and group dialogue, we’ll deepen our awareness, courage, and capacity to lead with intention.
All who identify as women are welcome.
Workshops in The UPPER Hudson VAlley
Hilltown Commons offers practical, hands-on workshops led by expert instructors in areas that range from traditional crafts to scientific exploration. We believe that lifelong learning is at the heart of human growth. That's why we offer the opportunity to explore new subjects through a mix of individual practice and collaborative group time.
About Our Workshops
WORKSHOP Structure
Led by expert educators and practitioners, each workshop is designed to be interactive and participatory.
Small group sizes ensure personalized guidance and meaningful collaboration.
Sessions balance instruction, hands-on practice, and reflection to deepen learning.
What’s Included
All-inclusive tuition packages cover:
Educational instruction and materials
Lodging in our cozy campus accommodations
Fresh, seasonal meals prepared on-site
Optional add-ons (like private instruction or special excursions) may be available for certain workshops.
Session Length & Schedule
Workshops vary from half-day to multi-day experiences.
Most multi-day sessions run 2–3 days, with immersive activities each morning and afternoon, plus optional evening programming.
Clear schedules and thoughtful pacing help participants fully engage without feeling rushed.
Community & connection
Connect with fellow participants through shared meals, campfires, and group activities.
Build lasting friendships and professional connections in a supportive, welcoming environment.
Leave not just with new skills, but with a deeper sense of connection to your craft, to others, and to the natural world around you.
Sample DAy Schedule
Breakfast at the Pub
7:45 AM
Optional Yoga or Guided Hike
8:45 AM
Instruction Time
9:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Lunch at the Pub
12:45 PM
Instruction Time
2 – 4 PM
Activities (Swim, Kayak, Hike, Write, Draw, Tennis)
4:15 PM
Dinner at the Pub
7 PM
Bonfire & S’mores
8:30 PM
Karaoke (keep on going!) or Wind Down (get your beauty rest!)
10 PM
In 2025, our programs included:
Creative writing (fiction & nonfiction)
Art, drawing, and cyanotype printing
Stone wall building
Mushroom foraging
Stargazing and night sky exploration
These are just a few examples of the hands-on, immersive experiences our participants have enjoyed.
Interested in Hosting a Workshop?
If you'd like to lead a workshop or join us as an instructor, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us at info@hilltowncommons.org
Past workshops
