Your instructor, Chris Toy is the author of 6 popular cookbooks, a private chef, and has taught Asian-fusion cooking for several Maine community education programs. Cooking students will learn how to prepare a variety of recipes from Asia, Europe, and the Americas incorporating traditional and local ingredients. Each meal will actively engage cooks with the tools, techniques, and stories behind the dishes being created.

Step back to a time when President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor, and their family escaped to their “beautiful little island” in the Canadian Maritimes, Campobello Island. We will be exclusive guests of the international park, staying in historic Victorian cottages. Workshop participants will explore and paint the same coastal scenery enjoyed by the summer residents at the turn of the 20th century. All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops, including a private concert by award winning Celtic Fiddle player, Katherine Moller, in the Victorian parlor of Hubbard House. Register for the retreat then call Sherry Mitchell at 506-752-2922 to make room reservations. Acadian Arts Retreats participants will have exclusive overnight accommodations in the park. 

Comments from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: 

“I learned so much that Chris taught me, and the recipes were attainable."  “Chris speaks slowly and encourages questions."

Your instructor, Mary Laury is an accomplished watercolorist and highly esteemed teacher. She encourages all her students to believe they can be successful. Painting is an exciting medium; it flows and moves and does beautiful things. If you have never painted in watercolors, we will start at the beginning. If you have painted before, you will pick up some new tips and tricks as well. We all learn together!

Step back to a time when President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor, and their family escaped to their “beautiful little island” in the Canadian Maritimes, Campobello Island. We will be exclusive guests of the international park, staying in historic Victorian cottages. Workshop participants will explore and paint the same coastal scenery enjoyed by the summer residents at the turn of the 20th century. All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops. including a private concert by award-winning Celtic Fiddle player, Katherine Moller, in the Victorian parlor of Hubbard House. Register for the retreat then call Sherry Mitchell at 506-752-2922 to make room reservations. Acadian Arts Retreats participants will have exclusive overnight accommodations in the park. 

Feedback from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: 

“Mary is a wonderful guide and a gifted teacher.”  “Very helpful watercolor instruction."

This is a beautiful, educational, & ecological tour to the farthest reaches of Messalonskee Lake aboard the Snowdrifter II--a 25' Godfrey Sanpan Limited Edition Luxury Cruiser. Students will see firsthand the invasive milfoil as it passes alongside the boat just inches below the lake surface. Learn about statewide eradication efforts while enjoying the natural beauty of Messalonskee Lake. Search for Sandhill Cranes and endangered Least Bittern and Black Tern as we travel through the 1300-acre emergent wetland known as the Messalonskee Lake Marsh. The North American Bald Eagles may make their presence known, and you will learn about the history of the area and lake. Captain Gary is a Registered Maine Guide and licensed commercial boat operator. A Rain date will be scheduled, if needed. The boat is handicap accessible for standard-size wheelchairs. Students between the ages of 10-17 years old must be accompanied by a registered parent/guardian. Bathrooms will be available on shore. Please mark your calendar and register by June 9th. There will be no refunds after Sunday, June 9th. The class requires a total of 8 students to run.

Humans have been hunting with bows and arrows for, at least, 60,000 years - six times longer than we have been building cities. Archery is surely a [nearly] global, ancient human skill, and humans have made bows out of wood, bamboo, horn, and other materials throughout the years. Learn to make a bundle bow! The bundle bow is a useful quick bow that can be made largely without the use of knives. All you need are a few sticks and some string to tie ‘em together. Bundle bows can be made to be very strong and accurate! We’ll cover arrow-making, in theory; everyone in the class will receive one factory-made arrow. ***Each child registered must be accompanied by an adult on the day of the workshop. Workshop fee is per child; accompanying adults have free entry.

Join seasoned forager David Spahr on an immersive mushroom hunt, exploring habitats, structures, and safe foraging practices. Uncover surprises in each walk, shaped by season and location. Suitable for all ages (8-15 with a registered parent), this moderate-difficulty hike promises an exciting, educational adventure. Require Supply List: Notebook and pen to take notes, sensible clothing and footwear, water, snack and bug repellant. A basket or bags are optional. NOTE: This class will start with an outdoor talk at the waterfront followed by the walking portion.

Do you have a story to tell? Turn it into a short movie. In this introductory 6 week filmmaking course for teens, we will take your story from inception to final project. Learn writing, editing, and how to pitch. This will be a collaborative and interactive experience that will take you from idea to a short film, using something as simple as your cell phone, or even a fancy camera. This will be a 100% fully ONLINE course with personalized one-on-one "check-in" sessions. The class will meet once a week as a group, online. All members of the class are encouraged to collaborate, assist as desired, and discuss with one another. While the instructor will be leading the course each week, there will also be one-on-one sessions with each participant (online). Access to a smartphone, computer or tablet is required for online participation. *For Ages 13-17 y/o.

Learn to sew! In this class you will learn both machine sewing and hand sewing techniques. The class will be divided into two groups, one group will start the day working on a sewing machine while the second group will work on hand-sewing projects. After a break the two groups will switch. In machine sewing you will learn how to make a small envelope pillow with inserts, how to personalize slippers, make a key fob, and possibly also a small pouch with elastic closure. Along the way you will also learn safety and sewing basics such as how to use and care for the machine, measuring and cutting fabric, and sewing tools. In hand sewing you will learn how to sew on a button, use fabric paint, and learn the whipstitch and ladder stitch. If there is time and interest, the group may make a small hand-sewn teddy bear. Speed-control sewing machines will be supplied to make machine time easy and stress-free. Class is suitable for ages 10-13.

Students entering GRADES 3-7 are invited to participate in a theatrical experience through learning and rehearsing audition techniques, character development, improv and storytelling!

Theater games and warmups will help everyone learn to work as a group as we prepare for an end of the week performance on Friday.

Kids need to bring a snack, water and lunch.

JULY 15-19th • 9:30am-2:30pm