Black football helmet with a white face mask and a yellow stripe on top.

Find Your Creative Self Here

Mixed media textile art featuring a detailed black and white drawing of a bird perched on a branch, stitched with colorful threads, and surrounded by abstract quilt patterns in shades of blue, orange, and beige.

From quilting to mixed media, sculpting to writing, the Estelle Center has an artist’s retreat that will inspire your creativity, awaken your self-compassion and re-ignite your joy.

Find a Retreat

Meet Some of Our Retreat Instructors

Guiding You On Your Creative Journey

A green star shape and an orange star shape with a yellow bird flying above them.
A person with short dark hair and glasses, wearing a patterned jacket and a blue scarf, standing against a plain dark wall.

Atsushi Futatsuya

Close-up portrait of a woman with long, gray hair and blue eyes, smiling gently, wearing a black top and earring, with a white wooden wall in the background.
Green, orange, and yellow star-shaped graphic elements with a dark background.

Maria Battista

Two women smiling, standing in front of a colorful quilt backdrop. One woman holds a fan of fabric swatches in rainbow colors.

Karla Overland & Elaine Poplin

A smiling middle-aged woman with blonde hair wearing a navy blue blouse with embroidery on the sleeves, sitting outdoors next to an older bald man in a light blue button-up shirt, in front of green leafy plants and a brown wall.

Allegra Huston and James Navé

A woman holding a stack of colorful folded blankets or towels outdoors, smiling at the camera.

Carolina Oneto

Two women smiling outdoors with leafy green background, one with blonde hair and denim jacket, the other with black curly hair, large glasses, colorful quilted jacket, and earrings.

Bianca Springer & Stephanie Ruyle

Take Me To All Retreats

Upcoming Retreats

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A woman with long gray hair and blue eyes smiling at the camera, in front of a white wooden wall.

Maria Battista

Classical Figure Sculpting Five-Day Sculpting Retreat

June 2026

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A woman with long brown hair, wearing a black top, smiling, with colorful fan-like decorations behind her.

Daisy Aschehoug

Foundation Paper Curves Five-Day Quilting Retreat

June 2026

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A smiling blonde woman wearing a navy blue dress with embroidered sleeves and earrings, sitting next to a wide-smiling bald man in a light blue button-up shirt with a small embroidered logo, outdoors with green leaves on a vine and a brown wall in the background.

Allegra Huston & James Navé

Imaginative Storm Writing Three-Day Retreat

June 2026

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Two women standing outdoors in front of green leafy plants, smiling at the camera.

Bianca Springer & Stephanie Ruyle

Make the Fabric, Make the Garment A Five-Day Wearable Art Retreat

July 2026

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Smiling woman with gray hair and glasses wearing a denim jacket, standing in front of a colorful fabric art piece with artistic portrait and floral patterns.

Jamie Kalvestran

Quilt Like An Artist Five-Day Quilting Retreat

July 2026

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A woman with dark curly hair wearing a pink jacket standing in front of a detailed black and white background with a large snake design. Overlayed text reads "SOLD OUT" and "WAIT LIST ONLY".

April Sproule

Printed & Stitched Mixed Media Immersion Five-Day Retreat

August 2026

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Two women smiling at the camera with a colorful quilt in the background. One woman is holding a stack of fabric swatches in shades of red, orange, yellow, green, and purple. The woman on the right has glasses and is wearing a blue patterned jacket, and the woman on the left has short blonde hair and is wearing a gray top with a dark scarf.

Karla Overland & Elaine Poplin

Color Camp Four-Day Quilting Retreat

August 2026

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A man standing against a dark wall, wearing glasses and a patterned blue shirt with a blue scarf, holding a sign that says "SOLD OUT" and "WAIT LIST ONLY".

Atsushi Futatsuya

Five-Day Sashiko Stitching Retreat

September 2026

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Woman holding a stack of colorful rolled towels with a 'Sold Out, Wait List Only' banner.

Carolina Oneto

Imaginary Places Five-Day Quilting Retreat

October 2026

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Woman speaking at a conference or event, with a sign saying 'SOLD OUT WAIT LIST ONLY' in front of her.

Irene Roderick

Improvisational Quilting Quick Step Online Workshop

November 2026

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A black background with white text reading "No hay mal que por bien no venga."
Colorful abstract artwork depicting a butterfly with symmetrical patterns of vibrant flowers, leaves, and geometric shapes against a dark background.
Two women smiling and standing in front of a colorful, abstract artwork with a face and a plant on top, in an indoor setting with wooden furniture on the right.

Jane Sassaman and Jamie Kalvestran

Nurture Your Creative Process

We offer a beautiful, collaborative, welcoming space where creative journeys are cherished and people experience self-discovery, self-compassion, and joy.

We’re located in La Veta, Colorado, a unique small town featuring art galleries, breathtaking scenery, and delightful, family-owned shops and restaurants. Come for a retreat or workshop and fall in love with our unique western town.

La Veta is a Certified Creative District of Colorado. Learn more at La Veta Creative District.

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What Participants Say About the Estelle Center

Ten women sitting and standing on the steps outside a house, smiling for a group photo.

  • Jamie K.

    Participant in Jane Sassaman Retreat


    It was a great week! Excellent accommodations and food! Friendly, helpful staff and a quaint, charming town. The workshop was the best I've taken so far."

  • Marta M.

    Participant in April Sproule
    Mixed Media Collage Art Retreat


    If you love working with your hands and your imagination, April Sproule's class is superior. Well paced and generously peppered with inspiration and support. The Estelle Center staff is very attentive to hospitality needs of the participants and the physical space is comfortable - with an ease that encourages friendship and participation. A delightful way to tend my inner spirit.

  • Deborah J.

    Participant in April Sproule
    Mixed Media Collage Art Retreat


    I had a very enjoyable week at the Estelle Creative Arts Center. Spacious, light filled work space and comfortable, well appointed bedrooms upstairs. April Sproule is a great teacher, generously sharing knowledge and techniques in this mixed media textile workshop.

  • Susan G.

    Participant in the Cindy Grisdela Abstracting from Art Retreat


    Was truly an amazing one of a kind experience!! I loved creating a modern quilt with Cindy Grisdela over a five day period. She was a fabulous teacher, thoughtful, kind and met you where you were on this improv journey. Plus, I loved the other people in my class. It was very collaborative. Jennifer Peterson has a wonderful vision for the Estelle Center for the Creative Arts. She is running a first class operation. I also really enjoyed staying in the Peter Max room upstairs. The food she provided was outstanding. La Veta is a darling town and an ideal place for the Estelle Center.

  • Laury S.

    Participant in Cindy Grisdela Abstracting from Art Retreat


    I always enjoy learning from a master art quilter! I learn new techniques and get a peek into how she approaches her art. I learned a lot from her lectures too. I also enjoyed getting to know Cindy on a personal level. What a sweet and interesting person.

  • Linn J.

    Participant in Cindy Grisdela Abstracting from Art Retreat


    Cindy was an excellent teacher and the workshop was very good! The setting was perfect and so was the food. I hope to take another workshop very soon!

  • Kathleen L.

    Participant in April Sproule Mixed Media Textile Art Collage Five-Day Retreat

    Wonderful is the word that best describes this trip. April is both an incredible artist and teacher. Her workshop was a joy. I learned so much. The Estelle Center staff was amazing: gracious, nurturing, lovely people. I loved my week in La Veta

  • Rosalie M.

    Participant in Maria Battista Figure Sculpting Retreat

    Absolutely the best location for a retreat away from the busyness of city life, dipping into figure sculpting with a phenomenal instructor! Estelle Center for Creative Arts is a beautiful and peaceful retreat center, serving us delicious meals in a very clean environment allowing us to absorb the creative process. Maria Battista is a beautiful figure sculptor and truly a gifted teacher of this amazing art form!

  • Suzie G.

    Participant in Maria Battista Figure Sculpting Retreat

    Amazing!! Incredible class and teacher, wonderful accommodations and food. I met some exceptional people on this trip. Loved it! Highly recommend!

  • Nitra O.

    Participant in Maria Battista Figure Sculpting Retreat

    The facility was AMAZING!! The food was phenomenal, and everyone we encountered was so welcoming! Maria was an excellent teacher and I can't rave about my retreat enough!

Proud Sponsor of the Cherrywood Challenge

Supporting Crafting Communities

Green star, orange star, and gold bird-like shape with a tail
A tote bag and various Miscellaneous quilting or sewing supplies, including fabric, a Cherrywood Hand & Table pad, and quilting thread.
Multiple stacks of colorful folded cloth or paper wrapped with decorative labels, arranged on a rustic wooden surface with a blurred background of more stacked items.
Three stylized stars or sparkles in green, gold, and brown on a white background.

Each year, Cherrywood Fabrics chooses a theme and color palette and presents a challenge to quilters from all over the world. The challenge is to see what quilters can create using the specified Cherrywood fabric bundle.

This year, the challenge is "Story time--Celebrating the Classics."

Illustration of children reading on a large tree with a white circle background. Text reads 'Cherrywood Challenge 2026 Story Time Celebrating the Classics'.
Green star shape, orange star shape, and gold star-shaped bird on a white background.
Learn more about the Cherrywood Challenge

Retreat Photos

Browse through our photo gallery to see the wonderful things participants learn at our retreats.

Two women smiling and standing in front of an abstract colorful artwork of swirling green, purple, and yellow leaves on a black background.
Colorful paper collage artwork featuring a central heart shape, a bird with an elongated neck, and a stylized owl at the top, surrounded by large green leaves, set against a backdrop of warm and cool colors.
Paper craft of three bright yellow sunflowers with green leaves and stems, attached to a backdrop with a blue and beige background.
Colorful paper cutout art of a purple and white flower with green leaves on a dark background, displayed on a vertical panel.
A woman in a pink shirt and floral skirt gesturing towards a quilt on the wall, which features black and orange abstract and geometric shapes. The quilt is displayed on a whiteboard, and sewing tools are on a table nearby.
A woman with curly gray hair, glasses, and a white and blue patterned shirt stands smiling next to a fabric art piece or quilt with colorful vertical rectangular shapes and black and white striped patterns on a white background.
A group of people gathered around a long dinner table celebrating, raising glasses for a toast, with smiles and joyful expressions in a cozy dining room decorated with artwork on the walls.
A woman with glasses and curly hair stands beside a colorful abstract geometric quilt with various shapes and patterns, mounted on a white background.

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