Paper, Patterns & Play in Le Marche
with Roben-Marie Smith
7th - 14th May 2027 - GUARANTEED
Join Roben-Marie in the breathtaking region of Le Marche, Italy for a six-day creative retreat designed for artists who want space to explore, layer, experiment, and reconnect with their playful voice.
Our week includes two special excursions woven into our studio rhythm. We’ll visit a small wool farm in the Sibillini Mountains to explore traditional fiber processes and forage natural materials for eco-printing. We’ll also spend a full day in the Renaissance town of Ascoli Piceno, wandering its historic piazza, cafés, and shops — gathering inspiration to bring back into our work.
In the studio, Roben-Marie’s teaching style is hands-on, encouraging, and generous. She shares her favorite tools, techniques, and supplies freely, offering guidance and one-on-one support as you build confidence and discover new possibilities in your work. Whether you’re experienced or just stretching into something new, you’ll be supported every step of the way.
This retreat isn’t about perfection — it’s about curiosity. Saying yes to color, texture, fabric, ink, and unexpected combinations. Slowing down long enough to notice what inspires you and giving yourself permission to play.
You’ll leave with handmade journals, custom fabrics, painted papers, and layered artworks — and with renewed creative confidence, fresh techniques, and friendships rooted in shared experience.
Picture working in a light-filled studio with laughter drifting through open windows. Picture wandering cobblestone streets, then returning to layer that inspiration into your art. The art brings us together — but it’s the connection and generous creative spirit that will stay with you.
Testimonial from a previous attendee:
“I have had the opportunity to attend many art retreats both in the U.S. and abroad. Roben-Marie remains at the top of my list for one of my favorite teachers. She is so generous with her artistic talents,supplies and encouragement. She creates a great syllabus filled with so many creative and fun projects. When I found Roben-Marie and her classes I found an artistic voice I didn’t know I had, nor did I know I needed.” -Pam Jones
About Roben-Marie
Hey! I’m Roben-Marie.
I’m so glad our creative paths have crossed.
I’m a mixed media artist, retreat instructor, and founder of The Roben’s Nest — a creative community rooted in connection, encouragement, and joyful exploration.
For more than 20 years, I’ve been teaching and running my art business, guiding thousands of students both in person and online — nationally and internationally. My art has been featured in books and industry publications, and I’ve had the joy of watching creative confidence grow in artists all over the world.
I’m known for being a generous, hands-on teacher who designs inspiring, thoughtfully structured projects that invite you to experiment, layer, and discover. Whether you’re seasoned or just beginning, I guide you step by step while giving you the freedom to make the work your own.
Students often tell me they leave my workshops feeling more confident and creatively awakened — sometimes discovering an artistic voice they didn’t even realize was waiting to be found.
What matters most to me is how you feel while you’re creating: supported, capable, and free to play.
In Le Marche, I’ll guide you through layered mixed media techniques and thoughtfully designed projects, helping you create multiple handmade journals that are finished, functional, and ready for play long after the retreat ends.
You’ll leave with handmade books in your suitcase — and renewed creative confidence in your heart.
What’s Included:
This retreat is fully immersive — thoughtfully curated so that you can simply arrive, unpack and create.
Tuition & Creative Space
• 4 days of creative tuition, including detailed demonstrations, hands-on support and personalised guidance throughout each project
• Unlimited use of the air-conditioned studio
What You’ll Explore
• Building richly layered painted papers while exploring expressive mark making
• Mixed media collage techniques
• Simple bookbinding methods as you create your own distinct handmade journals throughout the week
• Integrating textiles, stitching and altering techniques
Your Stay
• Seven nights accommodation in luxury, air-conditioned, en-suite rooms
• Luxury bedding
• 100% cotton waffle robes and slippers
• High-quality, 100% natural Italian toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, body lotion and hand gel)
• Daily room servicing
• Mid-week linen and towel change
Food & Wine
• All meals included
• Daily breakfast
• Buffet lunch at the hotel or in a local restaurant or trattoria
• A choice of up to four courses from our daily changing gourmet evening menu
• Local wines served with lunch and dinner
• A relaxed “pizza-giro” evening at a local trattoria, just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel
Excursions & Cultural Experiences
• Full day excursion to the beautiful Renaissance town of Ascoli Piceno full of history as well as fabulous boutique shops, charming cafes and one of Italy’s most beautiful piazzas (lunch not included)
• Enjoy an eco-printing workshop at the farm of a family of weavers nestled in a small village in the Sibillini Mountains
Transfers & Ease
• Private group transfers to and from either Ancona Airport or Pedaso (station or bus stop)
• Private transport for all included excursions
Room Type
Shared Classic Ensuite Room
Private Classic Ensuite Room
Private Superior Ensuite Room
Private Deluxe Ensuite Room
Private Junior Suite Ensuite
2 Bedroom Suite - private room, shared en-suite bathroom
Price Per Person
€3749
€4399
€4499
€4599
€4799
€4249
For more information, including pricing per room type, please fill in your details below
Deposit
To secure you spot on the retreat please click on the Retreat Booking button above, complete the form, select your preferred room type and pay a non-refundable deposit of €350.
Travel / Transfers
The group pick up is at 2:30pm from Ancona airport and 3:30pm at Pedaso train station or bus stop.
On the day of departure we will leave for Ancona airport after breakfast at 9.30am. Hotel Leone is about one hour and a quarter from the airport so you should arrive just before / around 11.00am your ideal return flight should be later than 12 noon.
If you’d like to arrive a day or two early and stay in Ancona or Pedaso, below are the hotels we normally recommend:
ℹ️
The hotel will be booked exclusively for you and your art group. Please note that the hotel is situated in a medieval hill-top town and that from the main building to the studio building there is a very brief walk on a slightly sloping but smooth cobbled street. All rooms have stairs-only access and if you choose a room the upper floor in the main building this will entail two sets of stairs. Therefore, this venue may not be suited for participants with limited mobility. Please also be mindful that the days on location may involve walking on uneven, cobbled streets. The exact locations will vary based on instructor planning, group dynamics and/or weather conditions.
