Early Bird NCW Member Registration + Dinner

Offer Available: October 1 - 31, 2025

As a NorCAL Wax member, you have early access to register for the NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat, taking place February 7–8, 2026.

Enjoy exclusive early-bird pricing—available only during October 2025!

Space is limited to 40 attendees, but a waitlist will be available.

Early Bird NCW Member Registration + Dinner

$120.00

Quantity

2026 NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat - Early Bird
The NorCAL Wax (NCW) Mini-Retreat 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 speakers and instructors, we've packed the NCW Mini-Retreat with activities that will spark your imagination including: hot and cold wax demonstrations, art product give-aways, designated time for hands-on play, an optional art exchange, community building and more!

You'll have time to explore a variety of mark making materials for encaustic and cold wax painting, encaustic monotype printing and sculpture. Your first evening includes dinner at an artist’s home in the Los Altos Hills, where we will continue with lively conversations while relaxing with new friends.

Participants will acquire new artwork and will leave with Keepsake Bags, feeling inspired, refreshed and reconnected to their art practice and fellow artists.
Cold Wax and Oils with Diane Williams

Working Sculpturally with Fosshape and Encaustic with Helen Dannelly

Encaustic Monotype with Ruth Kedar

R&F Pigment Sticks and Drawing Oils with Sara Post

Toolbox Rebels: Mark Making with a Twist with Karen Buttwinick & Melissa Stephens

Special Virtual Guest Demonstration with Dietlind Vander Schaaf
NorCAL Wax will refund 80% of the total retreat cost if NCW is notified in writing of the withdrawal thirty (30) days prior to the start of the event. Refunds will be issued by Venmo, Zelle, PayPal or check within 2 weeks after the retreat is held.

If you cancel your registration less than 30 days before the start of the event, your entire payment will be forfeited, unless your space can be filled from the Retreat Waitlist, at which time 80% of your registration fee will be returned two weeks after the retreat is held.

You may consider obtaining travel insurance to ensure that retreat expenses are covered in the event you need to cancel less than thirty (30) days prior to the start of the event.

NCW is not responsible for refunding travel expenses or for any reason of cancellation.

If unforeseen extenuating circumstances require NCW to cancel the retreat, a 100% refund will be issued within the two weeks following the retreat date.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

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. Over one hundred colors to date are being milled. All colors are available in Hot Cakes, Hot Sticks and Wax Snaps. https://encausticpaints.com/

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 Major Sponsor of the NorCAL Wax Mini-Retreat - THANK YOU!

Ampersand Art Supply is a small, woman-owned business that artists trust. At Ampersand, surface matters. Their mission is to make exceptional surfaces that artists trust. Made with conservator-quality materials and sealing processes, no other panel on the market protects an artist’s work like Ampersand. They make superior archival panels and related art supplies that will inspire your creativity and help your artwork endure. Conservators agree that a painting on a well-prepared rigid support will outlast those on a flexible surface such as stretched canvas. In addition to beautiful substrates, Ampersand has a line of gorgeous floater frames, and other helpful artist materials. Discover more on their website: https://ampersandart.com/

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/

NorCAL Wax

Encaustic & Cold Wax
Artists of Northern California

Early Bird NCW Member Registration + Dinner

REGISTRATION FOR:

ACTIVITIES

LOCATION & ENVIRONMENT

PRESENTATIONS & DEMONSTRATIONS

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!