🪡 Sculptural Stitchery with Susan Stover
A five-day creative retreat exploring form, surface, and the language of thread

In this immersive retreat, Susan Stover invites artists to explore the tactile dialogue between fiber, form, and memory. Through the act of hand and machine stitching, you’ll discover how dimensional structure, texture, and surface design can merge to create sculptural, textile-based works that speak of rhythm, repetition, and quiet strength.

The week blends technical exploration with conceptual reflection, encouraging participants to push beyond flat surfaces into sculptural expression. You’ll investigate how materials and form interact — and how stitching can be both a meditative process and a means of personal storytelling.

Retreat Flow

Day 1 – Foundations & Inspiration
Explore stitched construction as sculpture. Begin with inspiration boards, material studies, and foundational techniques that build structural integrity and form.

Days 2–4 – Exploration & Making
Dive into hands-on experimentation with:
• Hand and machine stitching as surface and structure
• Layering and wrapping techniques
• Incorporating paper, fabric, and mixed media
• Dimensional construction, folding, and shaping
• Surface embellishment through paint, dye, and thread
• Exploring narrative and emotional connection through materials

Each day includes demonstrations, guided exercises, and open studio time to develop your individual series or sculptural project.

Day 5 – Refinement & Reflection
Refine your final forms, share insights with the group, and participate in a closing discussion about materiality, movement, and meaning.

Studio Environment
Create in Aya’s spacious, light-filled fiber art studio in Stuart, Florida — a dedicated environment for exploration and community. Each participant enjoys ample workspace (never more than two per 4′×8′ table) with power, USB access, and all necessary studio equipment.

Enjoy fresh morning coffee, tea, and pastries, personalized lunch pickups from favorite local cafés, and the relaxed rhythm of an inspiring creative week. During retreat weeks, classes often gather for a group dinner at a nearby waterfront restaurant — a time to unwind, connect, and share stories of process.

Details
Instructor: Susan Stover
Dates: February 2–6, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuition: $1,180
Skill Level: All Levels
Materials Fee: Additional (details provided upon registration)
Class Size: Limited to 10 participants

This retreat is an invitation to slow down, stitch deeply, and build work that honors the tactile language of fiber — connecting your hands, your materials, and your imagination.