Integrating Mind, Body, and Art, a Color Woodblock Printmaking Retreat 

June 20 - 22, 2025
at the Rowe Center, Rowe, MA

To participate, or to know more, read details and descriptions below, call Matt at 603-306-6547, or send a note to Jane Kaufman, coordinator for the weekend.

Hold a spot by sending a deposit of $400 (using a credit card for online payment).
Still available are 2 spots at $350.
If something comes up and you need to cancel, expect full refund of this deposit up to 2 weeks before the start of the class.

• • - Seeking to be a part of something unique for the Solstice on June 20?
    

    
    - Hoping to immerse in a collaborative experience integrating relationships?
    
    - Curious for a hands-on interaction with the mechanics of making woodblock prints using the Japanese hanga method?
    

Join Matt Brown and co-leaders Todd Binzen, painter and Tai-Chi instructor, Matthew Daniel, former Buddhist monk, teacher, and founder of the North Shore Insight Meditation Center, and singer, teacher, and music-maker Maureen Burford for a camp-style retreat at a beautiful location in western MA.

The weekend is structured around a one-day art project, emulating the creation of the ukiyo-e prints of Japan. Working together to develop color woodblock prints using the Japanese hanga method, participants will make art as part of a team.

We'll participate in Qi-Jong movement, investigate and discuss relationships of color and form and of mind and body, take part in music-making and insightful conversation, and create beautiful hand-made prints that each participant helps to create (and will get to take home at the end of the weekend). Our emphasis will be on the integration of parts: how to make a print using multiple blocks, how to be a part of an art-making team, how to work with our minds in a new social situation, how to overcome fears in trying something new.

The Hanga method.

Hanga is printmaking using a hand-held baren instead of a press, water instead of oil. It is relief printing from multiple carved blocks. Participants will engage in a short introduction to the mechanics of the process - how to get imagery onto the various blocks, how to carve, and how to print with brushes and baren. Included will be introductions to making paste, using the pigments, and handling the paper. There will be creative input from all participants on aspects of color, form, expression and visual expression.

The concrete goal of this workshop?

Completion of one or more sets of prints that participants help create.
Everyone will take home one or more editioned prints, suitable for framing.

The subtler goals of the workshop?

A time apart to explore relationships of body and mind in relation to others. 

Class schedule:
- Friday evening. We gather for hors d'oeuvres at 5pm. Dinner is at 6pm and at 7 Matt Daniell helps start things off with an insight meditation talk. 

- Saturday morning. Breakfast at 8am. Todd warms things up with a Qigong movement time at 9. Printing and carving work starts in earnest at 10.

- Saturday afternoon. Following a lunch at 12:30 pm we return to our printmaking at 1:30. We'll seek to finish up at 5 and gather again for dinner at 6pm.

- Saturday evening. We gather for a music-making time led by Maureen Burford, either in the Rec Hall or down at the Chapel.

- Sunday morning., after breakfast, we finish our project, sign the prints and assemble portfoilios. We take time to reflect on what we learned and how to keep working with the spirit of the weekend. This time includes some "shop talk", a discussion of sources of tools and materials, ways to keep making hanga woodblock prints on your own. The workshop closes with lunch at 12:30 and a leisurely departure. 

Location: 

The Rowe Center is located at 22 Kings Highway in the town of Rowe, MA. Situated at the foot of Adams Mtn., it is surrounded by beautiful forest, access to miles of hiking trails and an interesting history. A variety of lodging is available.

Terms:
Total cost is between $550 and $930, depending on your housing choice.

Class Tuition:
- $350 includes all tools and materials for our project

Onsite Housing: 
- $305 includes meals and basic lodging in a dorm room or heated cabin (weekend total of $655).

Room upgrades :
- Add $75 for a single twin in a semi-private room 
- Add $80 for a single twin in a private room
- Add $100 for a private room, double bed

Off-site housing at 15 Kings Hwy or 16 Hazelton Rd:
- Add $275 for a private room, double bed, at one of two nearby houses

Off-site housing, on your own:

- $200 commuter fee in lieu of the $305 onsite housing (this is how you get a total of $550 for the weekend which includes all meals)

Please contact Jane Kaufman  - tojanek@yahoo.com, ‭(303) 974-8936‬, with questions. 

Be great if you are able to join us!
Matt


Photos from class of 2024 at Rowe: