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NCW Mini-Retreat
Information
ACTIVITIES
The NorCAL Wax (NCW) Mini-Retreat on February 7 & 8, 2026, offers a focused escape for wax artists of all levels to nurture their creativity, learn new techniques and connect with other artists in a supportive environment. In addition to a wonderful line up of instructors, we've packed the NCW Mini-Retreat with activities that will spark your imagination including: hot and cold wax demonstrations, art product giveaways, designated time for hands-on play, creative exercises to jump start your studio time, an optional art exchange, community building and more!
You'll have time to explore a variety of materials for encaustic and cold wax painting, mark making, encaustic monotype printing and wax sculpture. Your first evening includes dinner at an artist’s home in the Los Altos Hills, where we will continue our lively conversations while relaxing with new friends.
Participants can acquire new knowledge, share artwork and will leave with Keepsake Bags, feeling inspired, refreshed and reconnected to their art practice and fellow artists.
HOURS
Day 1, Saturday, February 7th: 2 - 6 pm
Dinner in Los Altos Hills on Saturday, February 7th: 6:45 - 8:30 pm
Day 2, Sunday, February 8th: 9 am - 5 pm
LOCATION & ENVIRONMENT
The Pacific Art League facility is reserved exclusively for the NCW Mini-Retreat. Located in the heart of Palo Alto, this spacious, naturally lit venue offers an ideal setting for artistic collaboration. Attendees will enjoy access to two gallery/classroom spaces, shared creative time using hot boxes and kitchen amenities that include a refrigerator and microwave.
REGISTRATION
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Registration opens October 1, 2025 for NCW members only. Members will receive an Early Bird price of $120
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Registration will remain open November 1 - December 31, 2025 for NCW and non-NCW members.
NCW Member price: $135.
Non-member price: $150
The retreat is limited to a maximum of 40 participants. Registration for all artists ends December 31, 2025.
DEMONSTRATIONS* - Descriptions in "Meet Our Presenters"
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Cold Wax and Oil Paint with Diane Williams
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Working Sculpturally with Fosshape and Encaustic with Helen Dannelly
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R&F Pigment Sticks and Drawing Oils with Sara Post
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Encaustic Monotype with Ruth Kedar
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Toolbox Rebels: Mark Making with a Twist with Karen Buttwinick & Melissa Stephens
* Demonstrations/presenters may be subject to change.
Meet Our Presenters
Karen Buttwinick
Helen Dannelly
Ruth Kedar
Sara Post
Melissa Stephens
Diane Williams
WHERE TO EAT?
Friday, Feb. 6th Dinner (Optional):
Volunteers and registered attendees who assist with Mini-Retreat preparation at the Pacific Art League, or who arrive a day early, are invited to dinner at Local Union 271 in Palo Alto at 7 pm. All individuals are financially responsible for their own meals Friday night. RSVPs are required. Organizers will be in touch with more information as the Mini-Retreat date grows nearer.
Local Union 271 serves farm to table meals in a casual dining room with beautiful attention to detail. Their friendly staff will be happy to help you select dishes with ingredients from local farms, ranches, dairies, hatcheries, bakeries, fisheries, breweries and wineries. Vegetarian and gluten-free options available.
Snacks - Day 1 & 2:
Coffee, tea and beverage bar will be available, along with light fare to fuel your creative endeavors throughout the day.
Day 1 - Saturday, February 7th Group Dinner:
Saturday night’s dinner is included in the registration fee. Mini-Retreat attendees will gather for dinner at a NCW member’s home, in the beautiful Los Altos Hills. Vegetarian and gluten-free options available. Please let us know if you have any other food allergies or restrictions.
Following dinner, there will be time for a collaborative creative exercise, more art media raffle drawings and conversations with new friends. Melissa Wilson’s home is a 20 minute drive from the Pacific Art League. NCW encourages attendees to carpool to and from dinner, as parking at her home is limited.
Day 2 - Sunday, February 8th Independent Breakfast:
Breakfasts are independent time, and are the financial responsibility of the Mini-Retreat attendee.
Day 2 - Sunday, February 8th Independent Lunch:
Sixty minutes is scheduled for lunch on Sunday. NCW Mini-Retreat attendees are welcome to bring their own lunches to enjoy at the PAL or at a nearby location. Alternatively, they can explore one of the many excellent restaurants located within a short, comfortable walk of the Pacific Art League.
WHERE TO STAY?
Attendees are responsible for arranging and financing their own overnight lodging and transportation. You can choose a room for yourself (single occupancy) or double your fun, and bring a friend to split a room (double occupancy).
Recommended Hotels & Lodging Websites for Staying in Palo Alto:
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The Cardinal Hotel - 2 minute walk to the PAL
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Sheraton Hotel - 3 minute drive; 12 minute walk to the PAL
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Best Western Plus Riviera - 3 minute drive; 20 minute walk to the PAL
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AirBnB (average rate of $146/night)
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Commute from home (reasonable commutes only)
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Share a room with a friend
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Inclusions Day 1 - Saturday, February 7th:
Access to two large classrooms, kitchen and art materials
Creative inspiration through art demonstrations and structured hands-on experimentation
Art demonstration notes and resource lists
4-hours of coffee, tea, water and snacks
Dinner at artist’s home in Los Altos Hills
Art materials & raffle items
Inclusions Day 2 - Sunday, February 8th:
Access to two large classrooms, kitchen, art materials and hot boxes
Creative inspiration through art demonstrations and structured hands-on experimentation
Art demonstration notes and resource lists
8-hours of coffee, tea, water and snacks
Art materials & raffle items
Optional art exchange
End of retreat Keepsake Bag
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
Transportation to and from Palo Alto and Los Altos Hills
Overnight accommodations
Dinner on Friday, February 6th at Local Union 271
Independent breakfast & lunch on Day 2, February 8th
Extracurricular activities, not listed on the retreat itinerary
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE OPTIONAL ART EXCHANGE:
Artists who wish to participate in the optional art exchange, will bring one original painting, no larger than 12 x 12 to the retreat. Each artwork will be assigned a number and assembled on tables for viewing at the Pacific Art League during the retreat. At the end of the day on February 8th, names of participating artists will be drawn from a hat and receive the artwork in numerical order. One artwork per participant.
Only attendees who bring art will receive new art. Don't miss the fun! This is a great way to share your work and add to your collection!
CAN I REGISTER FOR ONE DAY?
Unfortunately, no. The NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat is designed to be short, and action packed. When you register, it includes both days.
CAN I COME IF I'M NOT REGISTERED?
YES! In recognition of NorCAL Wax’s desire to educate the public about encaustic and cold wax art, there will be 2 demonstrations offered on Sunday, February 8th from 9:15 am - 12:05 pm that are available for general admission seating. This $15 ticket is non-refundable. Only 30 tickets are available for this event and will be available October 1 - December 31, 2025.
Seating is considered general admission, and will be first come, first served, not including seats for registered attendees - so please arrive by 9:15. Demonstrations will begin promptly at 9:30 am. If you arrive late, please be courteous to those around you.
After the demonstrations, from 11:50 am - 12:05 pm, retreat administrators will answer encaustic related questions, hand out reference materials related to the demonstrations and provide information about NorCAL Wax and the International Encaustic Artists. All non-registered guests must leave the Pacific Art League by 12:05 pm.
IS THERE A DRESS CODE?
No. There is no dress code - wear whatever is comfortable. We suggest dressing in layers for time spent indoors and outdoors.
PACIFIC ART LEAGUE INFORMATION:
The Pacific Art League (PAL) offers encaustic classes year round and has been a cornerstone of the arts community in Palo Alto, California, since its founding in 1921. Located at 668 Ramona Street, the PAL is a lovely historic Spanish Revival building designed by renowned architect Birge Clark. For more information, visit the PAL website: https://www.pacificartleague.org/
INTERNATIONAL ENCAUSTIC ARTIST INFORMATION:
NorCAL Wax is a Chapter of the International Encaustic Artists (IEA), which supports the growth and advancement of wax artists at all stages of their careers. The NCW Mini-Retreat would not be possible without the support of the IEA Small Scale Regional Event Grant. Join us in thanking them by considering an IEA membership. https://www.international-encaustic-artists.org/
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
R&F Handmade Paints is a Major Sponsor of the NCW Mini-Retreat - THANK YOU!
Founded in 1988 by artist and paint-maker Richard Frumess, R&F Handmade Paints manufactures unique and heavily pigmented paint lines which include their classic wax-based encaustic paint, linseed-oil based Pigment Sticks® and R&F DRAWING OILS™. Located in Kingston, New York, R&F is committed to producing the highest quality paints with materials meticulously sourced from around the world. https://www.rfpaints.com/
is a Major Sponsor of the NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat - THANK YOU!
Enkaustikos encaustic paints are made from the finest ingredients. They select the most beautiful pigments, the finest Damar Gum, and United States Pharmaceutical Grade (USP) Refined Natural White Beeswax. Their paints do not contain bleach or synthetic adulterants. Using these main ingredients, Enkaustikos manufactures a full color range of professional encaustic paints. One hundred colors to date are being milled. All colors are available in Hot Cakes, Hot Sticks and Wax Snaps. https://encausticpaints.com/
IEA is a Major Sponsor of the NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat - THANK YOU!
The NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat was made possible by a Small Scale Regional Event Grant from the IEA. Other opportunities and resources for IEA members include: community, virtual and in person exhibition opportunities, various grants, artist retreats, art material drawings of chance, residency resources, Wax Fusion: an online printable magazine, continued education and mentorship. The IEA is dedicated to building community and shared knowledge among artists throughout the world who work with encaustics and other wax media. https://www.international-encaustic-artists.org/
is a Contributing Sponsor of the NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat - THANK YOU!
BLICK Art Materials is one of the largest providers of art supplies within the U.S. with over 90,000 items available online, in our catalog, and at our retail locations. With over 60 stores throughout the US and the District of Columbia, and an active online presence, BLICK has been "Family Owned and Serving Artists" since 1911. Find out more information on their website at: https://www.dickblick.com/
Questions or concerns about the 2026 NCW Mini-Retreat? Please contact us!
Join NorCAL Wax
Fill out the information below to become a member of NorCAL Wax. We look forward to meeting you soon!