ECOAA WINTER WEEKEND
FROSTBITE ART RETREAT
January 9-11, 2026
ECOAA Haliburton Forest 2 Day Art Retreat
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve Ltd. 1095 Redkenn Road, Haliburton, On K0M 1S0
1 800 631 2198 https://www.haliburtonforest.com/about-us/
January 9-11, 2026
ECOAA Haliburton Forest 2 Day Art Retreat
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve Ltd. 1095 Redkenn Road, Haliburton, On K0M 1S0
1 800 631 2198 https://www.haliburtonforest.com/about-us/
Demo Artist ECOAA Member Marissa Sweet
Our Featured Artist will do the Demo on Friday evening and lead the Show’n Tell on Saturday.
Our Featured Artist will do the Demo on Friday evening and lead the Show’n Tell on Saturday.
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Marissa Sweet is a fine art painter, plein air artist, and dedicated conservation advocate based in Ontario, Canada. With a deep reverence for the natural world, she weaves her passion for protecting the land and waters into her art. Whether hiking through forests, paddling quiet lakes, or painting en plein air, Marissa draws constant inspiration from the beauty and resilience of nature — a gift she believes benefits everyone and is worth protecting for future generations.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, Marissa helps others discover their creative voice through workshops and classes, always encouraging a deeper connection to the environment through the act of painting. In 2024, she was awarded signature membership in the Society of Canadian Artists, recognizing her contributions and achievements in the Canadian art community. One of Marissa’s most unforgettable career moments was being selected as one of 18 artists to compete in CBC’s inaugural *Landscape Artist of the Year Canada* series, a national showcase of plein air painting talent that aired on CBC across Canada in 2020.
Marissa’s career continues to reach new horizons. She is expanding her international presence with plans to host more plein air retreats and realize her dream of a solo art show in the Philippines. Her art, her community, and her advocacy for conservation are at the heart of everything she does — inviting others to see, appreciate, and care for our beautiful natural world.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, Marissa helps others discover their creative voice through workshops and classes, always encouraging a deeper connection to the environment through the act of painting. In 2024, she was awarded signature membership in the Society of Canadian Artists, recognizing her contributions and achievements in the Canadian art community. One of Marissa’s most unforgettable career moments was being selected as one of 18 artists to compete in CBC’s inaugural *Landscape Artist of the Year Canada* series, a national showcase of plein air painting talent that aired on CBC across Canada in 2020.
Marissa’s career continues to reach new horizons. She is expanding her international presence with plans to host more plein air retreats and realize her dream of a solo art show in the Philippines. Her art, her community, and her advocacy for conservation are at the heart of everything she does — inviting others to see, appreciate, and care for our beautiful natural world.
Accommodation is in shared cottages, some 2 and 3 bedrooms, with kitchenettes, dining area, propane stoves and fireplaces, and a bathroom. Many of the bedrooms have twin beds so numbers can increase. Some of the cottages are connected by a hallway so it is easy for groups to mix. The Haliburton Forest is about 3 hours from Mississauga, and Ottawa and 2.5 from Toronto. There are trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing and as well a tour of the wolf centre can be arranged. The seminar building is a large building with many windows down two sides. There is room for some standing easels and tabletop easels. Lighting is good but those in the centre may want another lamp. Max 30 artists.
Cost includes 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 dinners, wine (beer) & cheese and daily snacks, Demo artist. May purchase lunch at the Smokehouse. Bring your breakfast.
Single Bedroom: $495 /person Double (2 in a bedroom) $450 each
Attendees may possibly add an additional night by reserving with the Haliburton Forest.
SCHEDULE FOR THE RETREAT:
FRIDAY
Seminar building open at 10am; set up painting stations or opportunity to paint outside (weather permitting).
3:00 PM Register at the Office and check into Room
4:00 PM Welcome Mix & Mingle Wine/Beer & Cheese at the Boiler Room.
5:30-6:30 PM Dinner in the Smokehouse Restaurant
6:30 PM Demo
8:30 PM Mix & Mingle in the Boiler Room.
SATURDAY
9:15AM Plein air or paint in the Seminar building
5:15 PM Group Photo in front of Smokehouse
5:30-6:30 PM Dinner in the Smokehouse Restaurant
6:30 PM Show’n Tell in the Seminar Room
8:30 PM Mix & Mingle in the Boiler Room BYOB
SUNDAY
9:15 AM Meet Seminar Building- paint until 4pm.
11:00 AM Check-out of rooms
4:00 PM Check-out of Seminar Building and Depart.
Cancellation Policy for ECOAA Members – You must cancel with ECOAA:
Provided: bedding, sheets, towels, blankets, pillows.
What to Bring: Unscented toiletries, shampoo, medicines, hair blower if needed, your lunch and breakfast, refillable water bottle, a travel coffee mug and a name tag.
Plastic drop cloths for a table and floor if painting inside. Indoor shoes or slippers for wearing in the seminar building. Remove your boots in the entrance area.
Your painting gear, easel, supplies, sunscreen if plein air. Odorless mineral spirits if painting in oil (no turpentine). Garbage bags for your own garbage. Please dispose of wastes in a responsible manner.
Questions: contact Louise Scott-Bushell at [email protected] 416 997 0345
REGISTRATION – Winter Art Retreat, Haliburton Forest, Jan.9-11, 2026
DEADLINE to register: December 15th, 2025(100% refund -$50 if cancelled by Dec. 22nd, 2025)
Register early – don’t be disappointed. Space is limited (30) and registration may close earlier if numbers have been reached. You must be a current* paid up 2026 ECOAA member to attend.
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE
Cost includes 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 dinners, wine (beer) & cheese and daily snacks, Demo artist. May purchase lunch at the Smokehouse. Bring your breakfast.
Single Bedroom: $495 /person Double (2 in a bedroom) $450 each
Attendees may possibly add an additional night by reserving with the Haliburton Forest.
SCHEDULE FOR THE RETREAT:
FRIDAY
Seminar building open at 10am; set up painting stations or opportunity to paint outside (weather permitting).
3:00 PM Register at the Office and check into Room
4:00 PM Welcome Mix & Mingle Wine/Beer & Cheese at the Boiler Room.
5:30-6:30 PM Dinner in the Smokehouse Restaurant
6:30 PM Demo
8:30 PM Mix & Mingle in the Boiler Room.
SATURDAY
9:15AM Plein air or paint in the Seminar building
5:15 PM Group Photo in front of Smokehouse
5:30-6:30 PM Dinner in the Smokehouse Restaurant
6:30 PM Show’n Tell in the Seminar Room
8:30 PM Mix & Mingle in the Boiler Room BYOB
SUNDAY
9:15 AM Meet Seminar Building- paint until 4pm.
11:00 AM Check-out of rooms
4:00 PM Check-out of Seminar Building and Depart.
Cancellation Policy for ECOAA Members – You must cancel with ECOAA:
- Written notice of cancelation by email to [email protected]
- Cancel before – December 22nd, 2025 – 100% Refund less $50 Admin Fee
- Cancel after Dec.24th, no refund unless we have someone register to take your spot.
Provided: bedding, sheets, towels, blankets, pillows.
What to Bring: Unscented toiletries, shampoo, medicines, hair blower if needed, your lunch and breakfast, refillable water bottle, a travel coffee mug and a name tag.
Plastic drop cloths for a table and floor if painting inside. Indoor shoes or slippers for wearing in the seminar building. Remove your boots in the entrance area.
Your painting gear, easel, supplies, sunscreen if plein air. Odorless mineral spirits if painting in oil (no turpentine). Garbage bags for your own garbage. Please dispose of wastes in a responsible manner.
Questions: contact Louise Scott-Bushell at [email protected] 416 997 0345
REGISTRATION – Winter Art Retreat, Haliburton Forest, Jan.9-11, 2026
DEADLINE to register: December 15th, 2025(100% refund -$50 if cancelled by Dec. 22nd, 2025)
Register early – don’t be disappointed. Space is limited (30) and registration may close earlier if numbers have been reached. You must be a current* paid up 2026 ECOAA member to attend.
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE
Registration is now full