Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center

Presented by Robert Piazza
Rekindle your creative fire! Poets of all levels, from beginner to advanced, come together to read, write, and recite.&nbsp; Viewing life as a spiritual battle, William Blake created Songs of Innocence and Experience and The Marriage of Heaven and Hell.&nbsp; Join us for a generative workshop in which we explore the poetry and paintings of William Blake, taking a deep dive into ten of his major poems, to see how we can apply Blake’s creative tension between opposing dualities into our own writing.&nbsp; Bring pencils &amp; notebooks. Poems will be provided. Enjoy opportunities to nurture your Muse!
COST | $75, lunch included

Local Event: Burning Bright: Poetry of William Blake

Litchfield County

Litchfield

Connecticut

Burning Bright: Poetry of William Blake

Presented by Robert Piazza
Rekindle your creative fire! Poets of all levels, from beginner to advanced, come together to read,...

Presented by Regina Ottman
You are invited to bring your curiosity, sense of play and creative spirit to a one-day exploration/celebration of music, art and oil pastel!&nbsp;
Oil pastel is a beautiful, vibrant, versatile medium that can be used in many&nbsp;different ways, allowing a wealth of mark-making possibilities. During the&nbsp;workshop, we will explore techniques for painting and drawing with oil pastel,&nbsp;and discover new avenues to bring oil pastels into our work.&nbsp;After lunch, we will delve into how music can awaken inspiration in our art&nbsp;practices, bringing unique ideas, inspiration and voice to our creative flow. Music&nbsp;and art have always been sisters, inspiring and challenging each other. Using oil&nbsp;pastels and some of the techniques we explore in the morning, we will create&nbsp;work in collaboration with several different genres and styles of music.&nbsp;It promises to be a fun, joyful day of art and music! I hope you can join us! All&nbsp;levels are welcome and encouraged; adults only please.&nbsp;The workshop will include a tour of Regina's oil pastel paintings in the Marie&nbsp;Louise Trichet Art Gallery, on view from 11 June through 27 July.&nbsp;
Materials List
Oil pastels: - a small, inexpensive set of 6-10 colors 
Brushes: two or three oil paint brushes. Cheap brushes are fine! 
Paper towels 
Paper: watercolor paper, mixed media paper, etc. No smaller than 8"x8" please. 
Optional Item: an apron or smock, if you are messy like I am
COST | $75, lunch is included

Local Event: Making Music with Oil Pastels

Making Music with Oil Pastels

Presented by Regina Ottman
You are invited to bring your curiosity, sense of play and creative spirit to a one-day...

Harwinton Fairgrounds

Litchfield CT

Black Bear Americana Music Festival 2026

Presented by Caroline Phipps
As the first generation for whom rapid radical change, both globally and personally, has become the norm, our lives are constantly being transformed in many ways: personally, socially, economically, environmentally, and spiritually. And the pace is only accelerating, so how well we adapt to our changing circumstances is one of today’s greatest challenges.
There’s nothing unique about having to deal with change. Change is a fact of life. Change is inevitable. Change is constant. Nothing remains the same. Every hour, every minute, every second is different from anything that came before. Despite its inevitability, however, how we feel about change is profoundly complicated. We long for change; we dread change; and we are rarely at peace with it.
In this workshop, Making Peace With A Changing World, we will explore the many nuances and consequences of our relationship with change and the concept of “durable adaptability” - a mindset and framework that helps reduce our fears while turning change into an ally.
Note: This workshop is ideal for those who enjoy sharing their experiences as well as for those of us who prefer a quieter approach as observers and listeners.
Workbooks will be provided in person and available electronically to Zoom participants.
IN-PERSON | $50, lunch is included
ZOOM | $20

Local Event: HYBRID Making Peace with a Changing World

HYBRID Making Peace with a Changing World

Presented by Caroline Phipps
As the first generation for whom rapid radical change, both globally and personally, has become...

Presented by Rt. Rev. Br. Mark D’Alessio
Mary Oliver is a favorite of poetry lovers of all ages for her lyrical, intimate, and sensitive poems, many of which use nature as a lens for exploring a wide spiritual spectrum of human emotions, from love and joy to sorrow and despair. The best of Oliver’s work reminds us to pause and take a breath, revel in our surroundings, and not take anything for granted.&nbsp;
Join us this year for our annual Mary Oliver Retreat at Wisdom House, led by Br. Mark, one of our most popular facilitators. Together we will explore Thirst (2006), the luminous collection Oliver wrote after the death of her partner. In Thirst, Oliver opens her heart to loss while stepping more deeply into the language of prayer, praise, and spiritual yearning. At once tender and fierce, these poems name the rawness of mourning, the ache of absence, and the stubborn beauty of the world that continues. Throughout, they shine with hope and the possibility of renewal.&nbsp;
As Oliver writes: “Another morning and I wake with thirst / for the goodness I do not have / I walk out to the pond and all the way / God has given us such beautiful lessons.” Thirst invites us to discover how grief can open us more deeply to this rhythm of love, loss, and surrender.
Through reflection, contemplative practice, and guided conversation, we’ll invite Oliver’s poems to become companions on our own journeys of loss, healing, and hope. No prior knowledge of her&nbsp; work is needed — only an openness to allow poetry to speak to the heart. Come walk with us through Thirst and discover how grief, too, can open us more deeply to love, resilience, and the quiet hunger for God.
$85 | COMMUTER, lunch included

Local Event: Mary Oliver’s Thirst: Poetry, Loss and the Longing for God

Mary Oliver’s Thirst: Poetry, Loss and the...

Presented by Rt. Rev. Br. Mark D’Alessio
Mary Oliver is a favorite of poetry lovers of all ages for her lyrical, intimate, and...

Mary Oliver’s Thirst: Poetry, Loss and the Longing for God

August 23rd 5pm - August 28th 10am
Step away from the demands of daily life and into a sanctuary of peace. Our five-day retreats invite you to slow down, breathe deeply, and embrace the stillness that allows your soul to awaken.
Nestled in the tranquil Litchfield Hills, Wisdom House offers the perfect setting to disconnect from the noise and rediscover the wisdom within. Each day, you’ll meet one-on-one with your spiritual companion who will walk beside you as you reflect, heal, and grow.
Let nature and silence restore you—immerse yourself in the gentle rhythm of a labyrinth walk, find inspiration in our art gallery, or simply rest by the pool under the summer sun. Take long walks along quiet country roads, read sacred texts that nourish your spirit, or pour your reflections onto the pages of a journal.
Come home to yourself. Let this time away be a gift—one of renewal, clarity, and deep spiritual connection.
$630| PRIVATE BEDROOM WITH PRIVATE BATH
$550| PRIVATE BEDROOM WITH HALL BATH
All meals are included: Dinner on Sunday through Breakfast on Friday

Local Event: Directed Retreats with Various Spiritual Directors

Directed Retreats with Various Spiritual Directors

August 23rd 5pm - August 28th 10am
Step away from the demands of daily life and into a sanctuary of peace. Our five-day...

Sunday August 23rd 5pm - August 28th 10am Presented by Sr. Pat Torre, DW
Come away to a quiet place….
Leave behind the busyness and distractions…
Settle into the silence….Discover Silence settling in you…
The retreat is self-directed.
We will meet once a day for meditation and prayer.
The rest of the time is for you to
Reflect, Read, Walk, Draw, Pray, Sleep,
Write, Create, Recreate….
Be inspired by the works in our art gallery, or discover the country roads surrounding our property. Bring your Bible or your spiritual reading. Bring a journal or artwork to access your inner wisdom. Bring your favorite book to read or your journal to write. Be embraced by the silence and the beauty of the Litchfield Hills.
A massage therapist will be available for an additional fee paid directly to her. (optional)
The restful setting of the Litchfield Hills will allow you to appreciate and be embraced by the healing effect of silence.&nbsp;
The retreat begins with dinner on Sunday, August 23 at 5:30 pm (arrive any time after 4:30 pm) and ends on Friday, August 28 at 10 am.&nbsp;
Find the quiet deep within…And all around you…As you enter a sacred time of renewal. Discover anew Divine Wisdom present in Creation
$630| PRIVATE BEDROOM WITH PRIVATE BATH
$550| PRIVATE BEDROOM WITH HALL BATH
All meals are included: Dinner on Sunday through Breakfast on Friday

Local Event: Quiet Days Retreat

Quiet Days Retreat

Sunday August 23rd 5pm - August 28th 10am  Presented by Sr. Pat Torre, DW
Come away to a quiet place….
Leave behind the...

An opportunity to feel seen, supported, and restored without reinforcing the old painful storyline.
Life can ask so much of us. Whether we are caring for ourselves, supporting loved ones, navigating illness, grief, overwhelm, uncertainty, or simply trying to stay afloat in a demanding world, it’s easy to become exhausted by the stories we repeat internally and externally.
This is not a space for fixing, rescuing, or endlessly reinforcing the old painful storyline.
It is a space for honest presence, heartfelt understanding, compassionate connection, nervous system support, perspective, refreshment, and renewal.
Together, we explore new ways of relating to ourselves, our hearts, and the challenges we face, personally and professionally, without bypassing reality or becoming trapped inside it.
This circle offers an opportunity to: • feel whole, safe, and loved no matter what is happening • reconnect with balance, perspective, and inner steadiness • receive meaningful support without judgment • discover greater peace in the midst of real life • nourish the heart, body, mind, and spirit • remember that you do not have to carry everything alone
Come as you are.
No performance. No pretending. No need to have it all figured out. Just real humans gathering in Heartspace.
Hosted online by Melissa Lewis, RN BSN
Online via Zoom

Local Event: FREE Zoom Circle of Support

FREE Zoom Circle of Support

An opportunity to feel seen, supported, and restored without reinforcing the old painful storyline.
Life can ask so much of us....

September 11th, 5:00 PM - September 13th, 1:00 PM
Presented by Sr. Peggy Murphy, OP
On our spiritual journey together we will explore the prayers and and spiritual rituals of our neighbors as a way to honor and appreciate how they can aid us on our path to hope and new life. “Every major religion of the world has similar ideals of love, the same goal of benefiting humanity through spiritual practice and the same effect of making their followers into better human beings.” - The Dalai Lama
$335 | *PRIVATE BEDROOM WITH PRIVATE BATH
$305 | *PRIVATE BEDROOM WITH HALL BATH
*All meals are included: Dinner on Friday through Lunch on Sunday

Local Event: Many Paths to God Retreat

Many Paths to God Retreat

September 11th, 5:00 PM - September 13th, 1:00 PM
Presented by Sr. Peggy Murphy, OP
On our spiritual journey together we will...

Presented by Lisa Hudkins
Four Sessions From 10am - 12pm: Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12
Soul Matters is a monthly meeting, 4-month program that offers the opportunity to explore, deepen, and nurture our spirituality in community with other Companions.
Each month, participants will focus on different aspects of your own spiritual life and explore its invitations for our living and loving. Using resources provided by Soul Matters to you we will independently engage in spiritual exercises, reflect on evocative questions, and then come together for a monthly session to share our experiences, insights, and questions. The practices of deep listening and spiritual discernment will be central to the monthly gatherings.
Soul Matters Reflection:
"I was initially reluctant to join this group, which is my usual stance with something new. Yet I was curious and decided to follow a new path with curiosity as my guide. What remains with me is that Soul Matters provided the material and the space for me (us) to be present to one another to explore aspects of spirit and life together.”-&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Mark Cerrato
Please register by September 5th, so you can read and prepare the first packet. Our facilitator will be Lisa Hudkins, a trained Soul Matters Facilitator, Spiritual Director and trainer of Spiritual Directors.
COST | $150 for four sessions: Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12

Local Event: Soul Matters

Soul Matters

Presented by Lisa Hudkins
Four Sessions From 10am - 12pm: Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12
Soul Matters is a monthly meeting,...

September 18, 5:00 PM - September 20, 1:00 PM

Presented by Rev. Dr. Shelley D. Best
Creative Discernment is a contemplative weekend retreat designed to support spiritually grounded leaders, seekers, and change makers who are navigating seasons of transition, uncertainty, or vocational reimagining. Building upon the Creative Disruption framework developed through years of retreat leadership and reflective practice, this program invites participants to engage disruption not simply as difficulty but as a sacred invitation to listen more deeply, imagine faithfully, and lead with renewed courage.
Through scripture reflection, contemplative prayer, creative exploration, dialogue circles, and guided discernment practices, participants are supported in clarifying their calling and cultivating spiritual resilience for leadership in a rapidly changing world. The retreat emphasizes interior listening, moral imagination, and communal wisdom. Participants leave with practical spiritual practices, renewed clarity of purpose, and concrete next steps for living their vocation with integrity and hope.
Retreat Overview
Across the weekend, participants will engage in a rhythm of silence, reflection, creative expression, and shared dialogue. The retreat is grounded in the understanding that imagination is a spiritual capacity that helps individuals and communities respond faithfully to disruption and change. The program introduces participants to the Phoenix Path of Creative Disruption, a spiritual leadership model that guides individuals through five movements: Stirring, Centering, Seeing, Choosing, and Rising. Through these movements, participants explore how personal and institutional disruption can become a pathway toward renewed vocation and courageous leadership.
Practices include contemplative scripture engagement, guided meditation, symbolic art making, reflective writing, small group spiritual direction style conversations, and nature based prayer experiences.
Rather than focusing on artistic skill or performance, the retreat centers accessibility, authenticity, and deep listening. Participants are encouraged to explore insight through prayer, moving meditation, imagination, and community reflection.
Intended Audience
This retreat is designed for: clergy and lay ministry leaders; nonprofit and community leaders; educators and spiritual directors; artists exploring vocation; individuals in midlife transition; seekers longing for clarity and renewed purpose. No prior experience with contemplative practice or artistic expression is required.
$445 | PRIVATE BEDROOM WITH PRIVATE BATH
$375 | PRIVATE BEDROOM WITH HALL BATH
$250 | COMMUTER
All meals are included: Dinner on Friday through Lunch on Sunday

Local Event: Creative Disruption: Imagination, Calling, and Courageous Leadership in Changing Times

Creative Disruption: Imagination, Calling, and...

September 18, 5:00 PM - September 20, 1:00 PM

Presented by Rev. Dr. Shelley D. Best
Creative Discernment is a contemplative...

Creative Disruption: Imagination, Calling, and Courageous Leadership in Changing Times

Presented by Jeanine Chayka | 9:30am - 11:30am
Core intention: Finding Stillness Within Change
The Autumn Equinox brings another moment of balance - a gentle turning toward introspection. As leaves fall and the air cools, the season invites softening, letting go, and honoring what has shifted. Autumn is a time for reflection, integration, and preparing the inner landscape for deeper stillness.
Why&nbsp; sound matters in autumn:
Sound vibrations support the emotional and energetic process of release. The frequencies help loosen what the body is ready to shed - old patterns, tension, and mental clutter - while guiding participants into deeper clarity and introspection. Autumn sound meditations create a spaciousness that mirrors the season: quiet, contemplative, and beautifully grounding.&nbsp;
COST | $25

Local Event: Autumn Equinox- Finding Stillness

Autumn Equinox- Finding Stillness

Presented by Jeanine Chayka | 9:30am - 11:30am
Core intention: Finding Stillness Within Change
The Autumn Equinox brings...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Events and Things to Do in Litchfield, CT

Also around town...

Please confirm event details with the organizers before attending

Saturday, August 8

Friday, August 14

Thursday, August 20

Saturday, August 22

Sunday, August 23

Thursday, August 27

Friday, September 11

Saturday, September 12

Friday, September 18

Saturday, September 19

Thursday, September 24

Wednesday, October 7