The Joy of Travel and Art:
Painting in Coastal Canada
Join artist and instructor, Laura Raborn, for a retreat experience filled with art-making, culinary delights, and stunning natural beauty of St. Andrews-by-the-Sea.
Monday, June 2 - Saturday, June 7, 2026
Registration is now open for a special week of art making in coastal Canada. We will practice seeing and making art with a sense of curiosity and wonder - a skill that will serve you throughout your travels and life. Based on last year’s student feedback, this workshop is one day longer - it’s hard to leave beautiful St. Andrews-by-the-Sea!
In short…
If you enjoy travel and art, and are yearning for an artistic getaway in a beautiful place, this retreat may be for you! Many of us yearn for time away from our daily routines in a beautiful, serene place. By adding the component of art-making, we can amplify the restorative power of being in a place away from home.
A bit more to it…
Looking closely with wonder has the power to relieve many of our stresses. It takes us out of our repetitive thoughts, the hamster wheel routine, and the pressure to “be” something. The Coastal Canada art retreat provides participants with an escape that is as engaging and nourishing as it is relaxing.
We will leave with new connections to others and ourselves, and with a sketchbook memento and portfolio of paintings to remind us of each lesson, each stunning view and delightful sight, and of our days roaming the grounds of Kingsbrae and the town of St. Andrews.
We will loosely draw and paint our inspirational surroundings…without pressure or stress. In a combination of group lessons and individual studio time with personal instruction, we will move from abstraction to realism and will leave with a group of studies and paintings that span the many possibilities between.
What’s Included:
Arrival welcome reception on the beloved Kingsbrae International Residence for the Arts (KIRA) back porch for introductions and to jump start our activities
Comfortable accommodations at beautifully restored, historic KIRA
Daily 3-hour morning art excursions at Kingsbrae Gardens + art demos
Daily afternoon studio time with one-on-one instruction (studios also open day and night for use at your leisure)
All art supplies
Award-winning chef prepared group breakfasts (5) and dinners (5) + gratuity (lunch is not included allowing free time for students to hike, visit restaurants, nap, make art, whatever you choose)
Complimentary access to neighboring Kingsbrae Garden
The best value by far is to take advantage of the Early Bird Special and book a Double room. So read on, grab a friend, and register today!
Meet Your Instructor
For 12 years, Laura Raborn has led art workshops and retreats focused on drawing, painting and all types of mixed media techniques. She focuses on reaching all levels of artists - from seasoned pros to brand new creators and believes all people are born to create, and are able to make beautiful art with some encouragement, confidence and specific tips and tricks.
Laura’s experience as a 2023 KIRA artist-in-residence and her return last year to lead a painting and drawing workshop, puts you in good hands. She is familiar with the area, with local artists, with the cafes and restaurants, and of course, the beloved Kingsbrae grounds.
Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Laura’s work focuses on looking closely at people and places with a sense of wonder, and acknowledgement that everything we see is only one fraction of the whole story. She is represented by Justus Fine Art in Arkansas and by Princess Street Gallery on Harbour Island in the Bahamas.
Who is the Retreat for?
This retreats for you if:
You are interested in adding the element of art making to your travels
You are a brand new artist, or already experienced, looking to add skills and techniques to your practice
You are needing a true getaway that combines structured guided time with free time
You want to create art while traveling but don’t know where to begin or what to pack
You want to travel in a creative way, seeing a beautiful place through the eyes of your inner artist
You want to overcome fear of perfection in your creative process
You want to travel with a friend or try out solo travel, and make new friendships during the art outings
You don’t want to worry about purchasing and packing art supplies
Activity level: Moderate (we will be leisurely walking, climbing and descending stairs, sitting, and standing)
This is a drawing and painting retreat for all levels of creatives. The group will be small and we welcome those who enjoy meeting people, experiencing new places, and broadening perspectives and skills. If you are looking for an uplifting and enjoyable experience learning about how we see our environments and how to turn that vision into beautiful art, scroll down to grab your spot today!
Testimonials:
“I would most certainly recommend the class to a friend. I loved it. So many important lessons! You’re an encouraging and patient teacher, offering critical tips and advice to a novice or experienced artist. Your voice and manner are so pleasant and calming, and your enthusiasm is palpable. I loved every second.” -Alex
“Oh Laura, I could not have enjoyed your workshop more. It was literally an eye opener for me. I keep looking at the trees with “new” eyes. You are a wonderful teacher. I am so grateful to you for bringing us to such a special spot to learn about painting. -Ann
Looking for the fee? The Early Bird Special breaks down to $470 USD per day for a Single and $375 USD per day for a Double. To grab your spot:
please read all the details below
contact Laura if you have questions
call or email the KIRA Director of Operations, Daniel Schmitz at 506-566-1672) today!
Welcome to Kingsbrae International Residence for the Arts in
St. Andrews-by-the-Sea in New Brunswick, Canada
“Whether it’s the accommodation, magnificent surroundings, food, hospitality, or quality of service, the KIRA experience is always a notch or more above what you have been anticipating. The awareness that your presence matters to your hosts and the relaxing ambience that they create are conducive to learning, personal growth, and accomplishment. As a retreat and workshop facilitator and teacher around the world for more than 50 years, I can say simply that I love KIRA and that participants invariably share my feelings.”
There are five spacious art studios on the KIRA property and there will be 1-2 students assigned to each studio. We are staying in a historic residence with no elevator; participants are required to climb stairs to get to their bedrooms which will include carrying luggage. Each room in the historic home has plenty of space and privacy, as well as different bed and bathroom configurations. Therefore, room details will be discussed during the registration process and we honor room requests on a first come, first served basis.
During our stay, we will enjoy breakfasts and dinners together, catered by one of the Kingsbrae Garden Café chefs, who will come right to the KIRA residence to prepare and serve these gourmet meals onsite (please note that you will have an opportunity during registration to submit food allergies).
Kingsbrae prides itself on using the freshest garden ingredients and products from all over New Brunswick and their own gardens (click here to learn about the award-winning gardens). Daily lunch time is deliberately unscheduled to allow for alone time, walking the trails, exploring the area, studio time and trying out some of the nearby fabulous restaurants.
Did I mention the food?
St. Andrews by-the-Sea, named USA Today’s Best Destination in Canada and one of the 12 Best Small Towns in Canada by Travel+Leisure, is a gorgeous seaside town, and the waterfront is just an eight minute walk from the historic KIRA residence.
Retreat Description and Itinerary
How to Loosely (and Accurately) Paint Your Surroundings…Without Pressure or Stress!
The workshop involves a range of drawing and painting exercises. Initially, we will practice loose gestural sketches to learn how to see basic shapes, colors and values of Kingsbrae Gardens. Through specific tips and demonstrations about loose shapes and energetic lines, students will create abstract forms. These lessons will help prepare our eyes and hands for projects where we aim to accurately capture scenes in a representational style.
As the workshop progresses and we move toward realism, we will use basic geometric shapes and measuring techniques to develop multiple drawings. We will also create value studies that can guide you during the workshop and in future painting. We will bring our sketches to life by adding layers of Golden Open acrylic paint which has some characteristics of oil paint, with the ease of acrylic paint.
In beautiful St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, part of each day will be spent outside in the gardens and surrounding area and part of our time will be spent in the beautifully designed KIRA studios. The workshop includes demonstrations, work time and individual attention as our step-by-step compositions unfold. You will learn how to incorporate an art practice into your every day life whether you are at home gazing out the window or inspired by the new sights of travel.
The materials we will use (included in the fee) are: Golden Open acrylic paint, paint brushes, watercolor paper pads, pencils, water containers, paper towels, drawing boards, tape, and easels. Students bring: an apron and any kind of small sketchbook (my favorites are Moleskin and Talens).
Arrival and Departure Dates:
Check in is between 1:00-4:00 on Tuesday, June 2, 2026
At 5:00 we will gather for a Happy Hour Meet and Greet on the iconic back porch of KIRA. Meet your fellow art travelers and your instructor Laura Raborn. We will go over the schedule for the workshop and information about the town and our surroundings, followed by a welcome dinner.Check out is 11:00 am on Sunday, June 1st, 2025.
We will have our final breakfast together at 9:30 am before departure.
Daily Sample Schedule:
8:45 am Breakfast
9:30-12:15 Explore the grounds and gardens with sketchpad and cameras, and have lessons in the garden classroom
12:30-2:30 Free time/lunch
2:30-5:30 Studio time for afternoon projects; Laura rotates from studio to studio for individual instruction
6:30 or 7:00 Dinner at KIRA with group chats and Q&A
Times will be adjusted slightly. Depending on the schedule, we might plan an optional extra curricular activity such as a sketchbook outing to near-by Minister’s Island or a studio visit with a well known local artist.
To register:
Call or email the KIRA Director of Operations, Daniel Schmitz (daniel@kingsbraegarden.com 506-566-1672) to place the $700 USD deposit and select your room. Deposit is required to secure your spot and balance is due on or before March 1, 2026.
Once registered, Laura will email you a confirmation and Daniel will contact you on March 1st regarding the balance payment and answer any other questions you have such as travel tips or food allergies. You are welcome to contact Daniel prior to registering with any questions about the accommodations or meals (please note he will be away from the office for two weeks prior to the holidays)..
Click here to contact Laura to answer your questions and determine if this retreat is the right fit for you.
After Jan. 1st:
Single Occupancy: $3650 CAD (around $2580 USD)
Double Occupancy $2950 CAD per person (around $2090 USD)
Registration is now open! See Early Bird Discount below:
Early Bird Discount and Bonus!
Register on or before Jan. 1st, 2026 to receive a discounted rate per art retreat participant:
Single Occupancy: $3300 CAD per person (around $2340 USD)
Double Occupancy: $2650 CAD per person (around $1880 USD) Looking for the biggest bang for your buck? This is it!
Bonus! The first two people to register will each receive a demo painting of their choice at the retreat!
Please read on!
Non-participating guests are welcome in a double occupancy booking with a retreat participant for a fee of $2050 CAD (around $1450 USD) which includes 5 nights accommodations, five group breakfasts and five group dinners, and free unlimited entrance to Kingsbrae Gardens (and does not include art materials or participation in the daily workshops or studio time). This breaks down to roughly $290 USD per day for non-participating guests.
Note: The payment structure allows you to pay for the retreat in 2 installments: a hold deposit at time of registration and a final payment due on March 1, 2026.
** Please read the cancellation policy below prior to signing up. ** By registering for this retreat, you agree that you have have read the payment and cancellation policies.
Click here to contact Laura to answer your questions and determine if this retreat is the right fit for you. You can also email questions about the KIRA facility and grounds to: daniel@kingsbraegarden.com
The fee includes the following:
• Workshop art materials
• Happy Hour Welcome event and a jump start to our workshop activities
• Accommodations for five nights at KIRA
• Art studio space on the KIRA grounds open for use at your leisure
• Workshop demonstrations: group instruction each morning and individual instruction each afternoon
• Award-winning chef prepared breakfasts(5) and dinners (5)
• Gratuity for all meals, and all taxes and fees
• Complimentary access to neighboring Kingsbrae Garden
Getting to KIRA
Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights. The closest US airport is in Bangor, Maine (2 hour drive) or Portland, ME (4 hour drive). In Canada, the closest airport is the Saint John Airport, approximately 1.5 hrs away from St. Andrews by-the- Sea. Note: Saint John Airport (YSJ) is NOT to be confused with the St. John’s Airport in Newfoundland).
Trip insurance and travel
Travel and health insurance are strongly recommended. Participants are responsible to research the implications of travel restrictions at home and abroad before and at the time of travel. Ensure you have everything you need so you aren’t turned away from border crossings or airports.
Payment and cancellation policy
Your $700 US deposit is non-refundable no matter what the circumstance. If you cancel at least 3 months before a retreat, and you have paid in full, we will return 75% of your payment minus the deposit. If you cancel at least 2 months before the retreat, we will return 50% of your payment minus the deposit. If you cancel within 2 months of the start of a retreat, the total fees paid and deposit are nonrefundable. We understand that illness and emergencies happen, therefore, encourage all participants to purchase travel insurance.
Please know that we do not aim to profit off of someone’s cancellation, therefore, if there is a wait list and we are able to fill your spot, you will be reimbursed your payment minus the non-refundable deposit. If the retreat is cancelled, you will receive your deposit and all fees paid. With such a small group, the fee structure is dependent on a certain number of participants attending therefore, we must adhere to the above described cancellation policy in order to run the program.
