It was a great week! Excellent accommodations and food! Friendly, helpful staff and a quaint, charming town. The workshop was the best I've taken so far.

Jamie K.

Participant in Jane Sassaman Retreat August 2025

If you love working with your hands and your imagination, April Sproule's class is superior. Well paced and generously peppered with inspiration and support. The Estelle Center staff is very attentive to hospitality needs of the participants and the physical space is comfortable - with an ease that encourages friendship and participation. A delightful way to tend my inner spirit.

Marta M.

Participant in April SprouleMixed Media Collage Art Retreat September 2025

I had a very enjoyable week at the Estelle Creative Arts Center. Spacious, light filled work space and comfortable, well appointed bedrooms upstairs. April Sproule is a great teacher, generously sharing knowledge and techniques in this mixed media textile workshop.

Deborah J.

Participant in April SprouleMixed Media Collage Art Retreat September 2025

Was truly an amazing one of a kind experience!! I loved creating a modern quilt with Cindy Grisdela over a five day period. She was a fabulous teacher, thoughtful, kind and met you where you were on this improv journey. Plus, I loved the other people in my class. It was very collaborative. Jennifer Peterson has a wonderful vision for the Estelle Center for the Creative Arts. She is running a first class operation. I also really enjoyed staying in the Peter Max room upstairs. The food she provided was outstanding. La Veta is a darling town and an ideal place for the Estelle Center.

Susan G.

Participant in the Cindy Grisdela Abstracting from Art Retreat July 2025

I thoroughly enjoyed the Abstracting from Art class with Cindy Grisdela. I have been sewing through her books and jumped at the opportunity to take an in-person class with her. We started with a trunk show of her impressive quilts, which was both inspirational and instructive. Then, each day we had a group lesson and individual sewing time. Cindy was always ready to encourage us to trust our own voice as we designed our piece. I learned so much about the design process as well as new sewing techniques to employ as I continue to grow as a quilt artist. I was glad that the class was a full five days because I felt the freedom to follow an idea that may or may not end up in my piece without rushing to do the easy or expected thing in order to get the design done. I also learned so much watching other student's pieces develop and to hear the feedback and ideas that Cindy shared with them. I would highly recommend this class to anyone wishing to grow your skills and confidence as a quilt artist.

Pepper M.

Participant in Cindy Grisdela Abstracting from Art Retreat July 2025

I always enjoy learning from a master art quilter! I learn new techniques and get a peek into how she approaches her art. I learned a lot from her lectures too. I also enjoyed getting to know Cindy on a personal level. What a sweet and interesting person.

Laury S.

Participant in Cindy Grisdela Abstracting from Art Retreat
July 2025

Cindy was an excellent teacher and the workshop was very good! The setting was perfect and so was the food. I hope to take another workshop very soon!

Linn J.

Participant in Cindy Grisdela Abstracting from Art Retreat
July 2025

With little effort and no trickery Allegra and Nave called to the genie in my writers imagination and out she popped, ready for some fun and inspiration. Would I do this retreat again? You bet in a heartbeat

Marta M.

Participant in Allegra Huston & James Navé Writing Retreat June 2025