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Wintering: a place-Based Retreat
The Creative Sanctuary at Maple Lawn Farm
The cold, quiet stillness of winter invites us inward. Far from a dormant season, winter is a vital time for "wintering"—a reflective, fertile period ripe for tending our creative roots so new work can bloom in the spring.
Nestled in Stonington, Connecticut, Maple Lawn is a restored 18th-century farm offering an intimate sanctuary for artists, writers, scholars, and creative practitioners. Led by Jessica Cerullo—who brings decades of experience facilitating creative retreats—this seasonal series features four distinct weekend retreats offered across the winter season:
- December — Entering the Quiet December 11-13, 2026
- January — Deep Wintering & Focus January 8-10, 2027
- February — Tending the Seed February 19-21, 2027
- March — Threshold of Spring March 19-21, 2027
Working Alone, Together
Limited to a small cohort of just five participants per weekend, each retreat offers an environment that holds space for diverse creative rhythms. We honor that every practitioner's needs are distinct: some days require rigorous focus, while others demand rest, dialogue, or unstructured wandering.
The retreat's rhythm gently weaves uninterrupted solitude with optional collective touchpoints. We practice working alone-together, where you are supported by the quiet presence of fellow creators without any pressure to conform to a shared agenda. Whether you crave strict individual discipline, spacious reflection, or occasional creative exchange, your unique process is fully honored.
Your Creative Time
Each weekend is lightly facilitated, balancing generous stretches of independent work with optional somatic practices designed to cultivate presence, focus, and deep body-mind listening. We welcome artists (amateur and professional) as well as scholars across all disciplines.
Here, winter becomes your ally—a quiet season to restore your spirit, deepen your practice, and prepare your work for the spring to come.
The Space & Grounds
Accommodations
A beautifully furnished 18th-century farmhouse and accompanying guest apartment featuring five distinct bedrooms, each with a dedicated workspace or den and comfortable chair. Three bedrooms in the main house feature private ensuite bathrooms. Two bedrooms in the guest apartment have a shared bath. This is a historic property, and all guest bedrooms are located on the second floor. We are unfortunately unable to offer ADA-accessible accommodations.
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The Landscape
Participants have access to the historic grounds of Maple Lawn Farm, including a farm pond, local walking trails, and a seven-circuit walking labyrinth—an inviting space for reflection, movement, and working through creative blocks.
A Place Apart
Located approximately 1.5 hours from Boston and 2 hours from New York City, Maple Lawn Farm is easily accessible by car or via Amtrak, with arrivals into nearby Mystic, New London, or Westerly stations.
Nourishment & Somatic Support
Daily Somatic Practice
Creative work is an embodied practice. Each day includes an optional guided, gentle meditative movement designed to support presence, ease physical tension, and help settle or invigorate the nervous system. The daily session time is chosen with the cohort to best support the group's creative rhythm. An on-site walking labyrinth is available for individual or group walks.
Nourishment
Breakfast and wholesome lunches are provided daily, along with coffee, tea, and snacks throughout the day.
Saturday's dinner is enjoyed off-site, offering an opportunity to explore the food and character of our coastal community. Stonington and nearby Mystic are home to an exceptional range of restaurants, and we are happy to provide curated recommendations and assist with reservations.
Retreat Rhythm
Friday
1:00–5:00 PM — Arrival and settling into your room
5:30 PM — Welcome refreshments in the pub, introductions, orientation to Maple Lawn and its history, and creative check-in
7:00 PM — onsite Group Dinner
Saturday
8:00–9:00 AM — Farmhouse breakfast
9:00–10:00 AM — Guided somatic movement & labyrinth walk
10:00 AM–12:30 PM — Independent creative time
12:30–1:30 PM — individual or group Lunch
1:30–5:30 PM — Independent creative time
6:00 PM — off site Dinner, independently or as a group
Sunday
8:00–9:00 AM — Farmhouse breakfast
9:00-10:00 Guided somatic movement & labyrinth walk
10:00 AM–12:30 PM — Independent creative time
12:30 PM — Group lunch & closing conversation
2:30 PM — Departure
Application and Fees
Contact us to request an application to join a small, curated cohort of fellow creative practitioners.
Single accommodation is offered in two tiers:
Friday–Sunday
Private Bath Room: $600 per person (3 available)
Shared Bath Room: $575 per person (2 available)
Rates include accommodations, breakfast, lunch, dinner on Friday night, daily somatic practice, coffee, tea, snacks, and access to the farmhouse and grounds and walking labyrinth.
Dinner is not included on Saturday.
+$125 pp for Thursday arrival (snacks, coffee, tea, Friday morning continental breakfast)
Private Group Retreat
Reserve the entire farmhouse for your own group of up to 6 participants.
This option is ideal for established creative communities, collaborators, colleagues, friends, or groups who simply want to retreat together while maintaining individual creative space.
Contact us to discuss your unique situation, dates, and a rate.