2nd Annual Quill, Pen, & Brush Retreat – Cancelled for 2024 – Updates soon for 2025

Quill, Pen, & Brush Writers and Artists Retreat will happen again in November of 2025

For Artists, Poets, Storymakers, and Songwriters in Mythopoeia and Fabulism

After struggling through several medical emergencies and income losses due to the massive lay-offs in corporate tech this past year, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the retreat for 2024 and focus our energy on making 2025 a success. The planners will re-convene in January of 2025 and post updates as they are available. 

To be held at the Historic Drift Inn
124 Highway 101 N.
Yachats, Oregon 97498

Hosted by the editors of Roses & Wildflowers Magazine : Home for mythopoeic fiction, art and poetry. 

Join us for magical creativity and community on the beautiful Oregon Coast in the seaside village of Yachats  (pronounced Ya-hots - “when you’re hots ya hots”). 

To help sponsor a writer or artist who could not otherwise attend: <PayPal donation>

The Fine Print: The Society for Ritual Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and all donations are tax deductible under the laws and statutes of the United States. 

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Lodging:

Call the Drift Inn to reserve your room: Talk to Bev at (541) 547-4477 option 2. 

You will want to review the lodging options at: https://driftinnlodging.com/ 

Note: We encourage everyone to stay at the Drift Inn in order to foster community, however, if for some reason if that won’t work for you, there are several other choices within a few minutes of our venue. 

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Our story:

In June of 2023, the editor of Roses and Wildflowers, the Society for Ritual Arts journal of creative mythopoeia, was reserving a room for the Yachats Celtic Festival when a long time friend at the Drift Inn Cafe and Hotel asked her if a “writer’s retreat” was something we here at the Society for Ritual Arts would consider doing.

After some thought and conversation, we did what societies do: we created a poll. The response was really positive and here we are: the first such gathering the SRA has organized. On the wings of beginning a new journal dedicated to mythopoetic fiction, poetry, and art we invite all the artists, poets and writers of wondrous stories to come to the lovely and magical village of Yachats, Oregon for a retreat to share our art.  

We’re planning a relaxed schedule of Inspiring Things (To be added). including beach walks and sunset viewing, exploring the town and nearby Cape Perpetua and, weather permitting, sampling local delights. 

Yachats is a tiny village oasis on the shores of the Pacific with a lively and progressive population of artists, musicians and other creative folk. With beaches and forested trails within walking distance, the many eateries, shops and galleries there’s something for everyone. 

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Schedule

Our Hosts: The Drift Inn is a historic road house with a colorful history and, in the words of author T. K. Rex, “like something out of  an RPG.” Here’s a little bit about our hosts: https://www.the-drift-inn.com/category/stories/

Here is a photographic tour of Yachats and vicinity: https://www.beachconnection.net/photo_yachats.php

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The Particulars

For Writers and Poets: Click on these buttons to: Submit a (to be added) &/or for Performance (to be added) in collaboration with a musician on our Tuesday Afternoon “Club Show”. Please follow the instructions on the forms. 

For artists or to volunteer (there are several open positions) at this year's retreat: Contact this year's event coordinator at (position open for 2025)

Other questions? [email protected]

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Getting there:

From I-5:  Hwy 126 from Eugene/Springfield.

By Air: Give yourself plenty of time if you choose this option and make your arrangements well in advance: There are rental car agencies from both Eugene and Portland International Airport. There is a shuttle from the Eugene airport to Florence, 35-40 minutes south of Yachats: https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Eugene-Airport-EUG/Florence-OR-USA with a connector to Yachats. It takes about 2 hours to get from Eugene to Florence.

Scenic From Northern CA or points North: we recommend a fun drive on HWY 101, stopping often to view the forests as well as the pretty (and sometimes quirky) small towns. From the south, do pause in the redwoods and beaches along the way. 

Carpooling is encouraged, there is an FB chatting page for our Mythopoeic journal, Roses & Wildflowers, where you can connect here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3523058367962366  

Join us our Discord server for chatting and connecting here: https://discord.gg/q9CC6b3D

By Boat: There are harbors in nearby Newport and Florence. We assume you know what you are doing and will contact the appropriate authorities and can arrange transportation from the harbor to Yachats. 

A handy map to of Yachats: https://goo.gl/maps/DXz1nVRnFpj9sthX8

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BONUS: MUSIC FESTIVAL!

This retreat starts at 3:45 PM at the tail end of the Annual Yachats Celtic Music Festival, over Veterans Day weekend November 8-10, 2024. Tickets will go on sale in June. For anyone wanting to attend the Festival, here is the web page for the schedule and tickets: https://yachatscelticmusicfestival.org/

WARNING! This festival sells out pretty fast, so get your tickets as soon as you can. (The main concert on Saturday evening is sold out as of this writing.) There are a number of free events on Sunday morning before the retreat starts, including some dancing, a performance, followed by a ticketed concert in the afternoon. NOTE: This festival is nt a small town event, but a large event in a small town, planning well in advance (including making your accommodations arrangements) is recommended!

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What to bring/wear:

Bring: Your creative projects, whatever gear/tools/technology you will need for your craft, your willingness to encourage others, and your enthusiasm. You will want a camera and/or your sketch pad.

Pack: Warm clothing, good walking shoes and/or your incredibly cool boots (heels are not encouraged) and be prepared

for rain. Umbrellas tend to fly away in the Pacific wind, but tucking one into your suitcase wouldn’t hurt. It’s probable that there will be a day of wind, a day of rainy skies, and, if past Novembers are any clue, the sun may show her face and warm things up to a balmy 65F. This could happen all on the same day. Weather is never really predictable in the Pacific NW and November can be quite stormy on the Pacific Coast, please plan accordingly.

Meals: We encourage shared dinners at the local eateries where we can "check in" and network before the evening presentation. There are too many choices to list (all within walking distance). Or: get a sandwich at the local bakery and head to some spot you want to spend time exploring.  

Late Night: The Drift Inn features live music each night, please check their calendar for the schedule. There are two pubs, The Underground Pub & Grub is a favorite of locals and the Sea Note Lounge is just up the street. For the Oregon Coast brew connoisseur, there is the Yachats Brewing and Farm Store. For anyone wanting to stay the week, there is a local music jam on Thursday nights at The Underground Pub & Grub. 

Added this year! An "after hours" hospitality suite that will stock teas, hot cocoa and cider, local hard ciders, cookies and other snacks. Night owl conversation and collaboration or relaxing after a day of creativity after the pubs are closed.

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For more about Yachats, here is the official website: https://www.yachatsoregon.org/

See you at the “Home of the World’s Largest Ocean”, Yachats, OR.