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Retreat: Focus on the Sacred 2025
An Immersive, Small Group Experience combining a Spiritual Theme, Lettering Techniques, and Art Process
An Immersive, Small Group Experience combining a
Spiritual Theme, Lettering Techniques, and Art Process
Retreat 2025: Symbolism
In-Person - San Luis Rey Mission, Oceanside, CA
(with a Zoom option for remote participants)
Focus on the Sacred is an annual, 5 day, immersive retreat that combines lettering, artwork and
interaction with fellow students, centered around faith-based themes
Retreat 2025:
Symbolism
5 Days:
Monday September 29 –
Friday October 3
(check in Sunday, September 28)
Location:
San Luis Rey Mission,
Oceanside, CA
Retreat Schedule:
Monday - Friday: 9am–4:30pm
This retreat will focus on symbolic content. We'll see detailed presentations of its historic uses as it has appeared in art and visual communication throughout various epochs, cultures, and styles.
Each of the participants are invited to bring a topic in symbolism that piques their own personal interest; attendees are encouraged (but not required) to share any particular focus or pathway they have found intriguing for their own personal contemplation, study, and insight.
With these themes as our starting point, we'll explore the process of creating artwork with a Focus on the Sacred.
Painting, drawing, calligraphy, or any combination can be done in the medium or substrate of your choice - including papers, canvas, fabrics or bound journals.
We'll work on approaches to artwork and look at how to work with symbolism in image, composition, and color from both an historical and contemporary perspective.
We'll discuss the Interaction of lettering and image, and ways to visually integrate them with techniques in multiple mediums.
Immerse Yourself
In-person Classes, recorded videos, replays
Live sessions will include presentations, demos, working time, and sharing.
Pre-recorded videos will also be available as a supplement for reference, or "homework".
For participants who can't come in-person, these sessions will be recorded and uploaded on our designated retreat page. Only participants will have access to these pages.
Retreat Theme
Work with our theme, or bring your own project
While we will necessarily have an overall theme to work with, this week will focus on your own personal subject matter.
I would ask that whatever project you bring have a "Focus on the Sacred" intent behind your theme.
Any painting techniques and our planned painting development will work around your theme.
Email me if you have questions!
Private Instruction
Individual sessions for personal instruction
For those who wish to have follow-up, individual interaction or instruction after the retreat, this option would include up to 90 minutes of instruction via Zoom during the time between our annual retreats.
- ask specific process questions
- review or refine techniques
- brainstorm on subject matter
Scholarship Availablity
Help with Class fees, or Choose 2 Payments
We don't want anyone to be left out because of cost. Accordingly, if you feel like you should be in this retreat and may need help with the class fees, please just ask... If we can, we'll work something out.
It also may be easier to make 2 or 3 payments leading up to the start of the retreat; if so, let me know and I can send you a link for alternate ways to pay that will work for you.
Randall Hasson's Focus on the Sacred Retreats
Each year, the Focus on the Sacred Retreat has a triune approach: Fine Art and Lettering Techniques are taught nestled under the umbrella of a Spiritual Theme. A small group (not more that 12) ensures that there is a great opportunity for each participant to share, learn, and connect with others.
I love teaching in a Week-long format. Over the course of an extended workshop, I find that, over and above any information, presentation, and demonstration that I might give, participants gain invaluable insights, ideas, and inspiration from each other. The additional component of sharing one's faith and infusing spiritual insight into the process of creating, informs the artwork in a tangible way.
Time and again, participants have found this week a refreshing, insightful, inspiring, and memorable time of bonding through the creative process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Retreat Format?
This year's retreat will be held IN-PERSON! We'll also have an option for off site participation vis Zoom. The retreat will be is 5 full days of teaching held over a 6 day period, with a half-day on Wednesday set aside for exploration and rest, and half-day on Saturday to end the retreat. Each day will have components of participant sharing, presentations, and demos, and working time. Depending on the day, there may be additional videos to review or prompts to work on lettering or artwork. This is not a rigid structure, and we'll allow for variation "as the spirit moves".
Can this type of retreat be effective online via Zoom?
As an instructor, I have always noticed the drawbacks of Zoom. Usually all participants have to be muted for larger groups, there is a lack of feedback for the instructor (who always wants to know if his jokes are working), and many times it is difficult for particpants as well. Sometimes it is hard to see the artwork, or watch a student work so any mistakes in method can be corrected.
In 2021, I found that, with a small group, I could allow all the participants to leave their microphone on. It was much more interactive, and much more enjoyable. I also found that both myself and the participants benefitted from the breaks during the day. Having a concentrated session and then being turned loose either to create artwork, practice lettering, or just rest, became a welcome rhythm for both instructor and participants.
Of course, this cannot replace an in-person retreat; however with the benefit of allowing more people to participate that might not be able to travel, and the lowered cost of studying without associated travel and hotel costs, the participants from last year almost universally agreed this was one of the best retreats we've had! I had one of the best experiences as an instructor as well, and where I usually end a week (pleasantly) exhausted, in this case I was refreshed.
So yes! Zoom, under the right circumsatnces, can be very effective.
In addition, with a fairly minor cost, a participant can set up an additional camera that would allow me to see you work from a different angle, if that is desired. This simple setup makes instruction much easier. I can send links for the equipment if that is an option for you.
Can I use a Scholarship, and how much is available?
If you feel like you belong in this year's retreat, please let me know. Scholarships will be based on each personal circumstance and the total enrollment for that year, so there is not really a set $$ amount.
Simply email me at Randall@HassonStudio.com and let me know what you need; we'll find a way to make it work for you!
Is there a waiting list, and will you do an additional retreat for that list?
Based on past experience, there probably will be a waiting list again this year. If there are enough participants to fill another session, I will add an additional retreat to the schedule. Times and dates to be determined as needed.
When is payment in full required, and what about alternate ways to pay?
In order to plan properly, I'll need payment in full by September 1. If you are enrolling after that date, and there is space, payment in full is due at that time. If it is more desirable to send a check rather than pay online, that is fine with me - you'll simply need to email me at Randall@HassonStudio.com and let me know so I can reserve your spot. In addition, if you'd prefer to make a couple of payments instead of one, just let me know and I will make arrangements with you.
Randy is truly a master of his craft as well as a gifted instructor. He shares his breadth and depth of knowledge in a professional way that allows participants to readily enhance their own skills. His on-line workshops are a rich experience. The quality of the videos and the instructional content have kept me engaged, inspired, and encouraged to continue learning.
Retreat Pricing (Please note: if you don't see prices, the retreat is full.
To be informed on future retreat schedules, please fill out waiting list form below)
In-Person, Single Occupancy
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Price includes Single Occupancy, 5 nights, 3 meals daily, and all sessions
In-Person, Double Occupancy
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Price includes Shared Room/Double Occupancy, 5 nights, 3 meals daily, and all sessions
Zoom/Online Sessions
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Two Sessions per day, recorded and uploaded each evening for review
Focus on the Sacred Retreat Waiting List
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Randall Hasson
Randall M. Hasson is an artist, calligrapher, instructor and speaker who has appeared on the faculty of over 25 Arts, Lettering Arts, and Educational Conferences in the United States, Canada and England. He is the author of articles on a variety of Art or Lettering Art related subjects and has appeared as a mainstage presenter and/or teacher with lecture topics covering Public Art, Art History, the Painting Process, Collaborative Art Projects, and the History of Writing including the recent invention of the ADLaM Alphabet in West Africa.
In 2015, he co-edited of the 24th (Centennial) Edition of The Speedball Textbook. In addition to a series of online workshops called Writing with a Bent Nib, Randall is currently writing and designing his forthcoming book Teaching America How to Letter – The Speedball Story, a history of commercial lettering and American show card writing in the 1900’s.
