The Smiley Manse

We've got a place for YOU here at the table! Come eat, learn, create, play, and connect with us here at a Smiley Manse art retreat 💙

The creative energy is always BUZZING here at The Smiley 🐝🎨🌞

Meet 2026 retreat leader Allison Cole 👋🏼

Allison Cole is an illustrator, educator, and surface designer based in Rhode Island. Her vibrant and playful work spans picture books, surface design, editorial projects, and collaborations with clients such as Target, West Elm, and The Washington Post.

Allison will be leading a Creative Reset retreat at The Smiley September 23-27. We hope you'll come join us for what is sure to be an amazing few days in the barn studio.

Learn more here:

https://the-smiley-manse.com/202609-allisoncole

July 23rd is the signup deadline to ensure this retreat moves forward ‼️

"Nothing beats making art surrounded by friends who feel like family. The Smiley is where creativity and connection come alive!" —Denise

Plan your visit to to experience this creativity and connection for yourself 🩷 To learn more about upcoming retreats, sign up for our newsletter and/or visit our website. We can't wait to see you there, friend!

https://the-smiley-manse.com/

This fall, come enjoy a much needed Creative Reset with talented teaching artist Allison Cole at The Smiley September 23-27 🍂

https://the-smiley-manse.com/202609-allisoncole

Meet Sue! Sue Schlabach is a Vermont-based plein air painter, photographer, and fiber artist living and working in the tiny village of East Barnard. Her studio—housed in the former taproom of an 1830s brick home—informs her connection to place and history.

A lifelong artist who enjoys artful collaboration, Sue has spent recent years growing her creative business—making art, teaching, designing, and building community. With more than 25 years of experience as a designer, art director, and creative director in art publishing, she brings both technical depth and warmth to her teaching. Her current practice includes plant-to-linen flax work and fiber exploration. She leads workshops in acrylic and watercolor painting, sketchbooking, flax sculpting, and visible mending.

You can read more about Sue and her September Wild Pages retreat at The Smiley here:

https://the-smiley-manse.com/202609-sue-schlabach

July 13th is the signup deadline to ensure this retreat moves forward ‼️

And this, my friends, is where all the magic happens: the Smiley barn studio 💫

Come create with us in the Smiley barn studio this season! One retreat may have wrapped up, but we still have 5 more on the calendar. Will you join us?

Art in the Garden & Barn: Figure Drawing Sessions

Join us for a unique figure drawing experience, set against the serene backdrop of our private gardens or within our historic turn-of-the-century barn. Enjoy the opportunity to draw the human form in a peaceful, inspiring environment.

• Wednesday, 17 June
• Wednesday, 29 July
• Wednesday, 19 August

Each session runs from 5-8pm

Sessions require a minimum enrollment, please register ahead by emailing: [email protected]

The $35 fee is payable in cash at the door.

https://the-smiley-manse.com/lifefiguredrawing