Individual Private Retreat Opportunities
Individual artists are invited by application to retreat “in-residence,” one artist at a time, in Mr. Graves’ private, self-contained, 800 square foot painting studio. We welcome many forms of creative expression, visual, sculptural, verbal, musical, and the written word, with the exception of photography, in keeping with Mr. Graves’ principle of creating from “direct experience,” which is live, immediate, and unfiltered.
Retreats, by definition, are offered strictly as “unplugged:” cell phones, computers, e-readers, iPods, tablets, cameras, radio-station access, etc. are not allowed. Without these distractions, resident artists have experienced increased focus, produce an abundance of artwork, and feel deeply nourished, grounded, and inspired for years to come.
At this time, private retreats are offered via scholarship and are made available for a minimum of 5 nights, up to a maximum of 21 days, as time is available from early March to early-November. Numerous flexible available times for a retreat, throughout the year, are required by each applicant to be considered for a private retreat opportunity.
Prior to requesting an application, a potential applicant is expected to have learned about Mr. Graves’ life and works of art from resources or collections found on the Resources page. Prior to receiving an application, a potential applicant will then be asked a few questions, primarily about their interest in and/or inspiration from Mr. Graves’ life and works of art, and secondly, about themselves. Once the application is forwarded to an applicant, it will include a postmark deadline for completion, is not usable for a subsequent year, and will require a $45 non-refundable application fee.
Applications for 2024 private retreats are now closed. The window for requesting a 2025 private retreat opportunity is July 1 – September 1, 2024.
Requests postmarked before the opening date or after the closing date listed here, or unreadable postmarks, cannot be considered nor do they receive a response. We strongly advise requesting a cancellation stamp at the post office at the time of mailing. All requests and completed applications are reviewed in chronological order from when they are received.
Please mail your request for a private retreat application to:
MORRIS GRAVES FOUNDATION
Attn: Robert and Desiree Yarber, Directors
P.O. Box 608
Fortuna, CA 95540
All inquiries are accepted at the above address only, via U.S. Postal Mail only. No other carrier is accepted nor will it receive a response.
GROUP Day Retreats for Artistic-Based Groups and Activities
An appropriate group seeking this opportunity is one which is already established in its community and meets regularly with an appointed, personally-responsible instructor or leader, including (but not limited to): on-going painting groups, arts-based activity groups, writing groups, T’ai Chi, and contemplative or meditation groups.
The maximum number of paid attendees allowed is 12 paid; up to 2 instructors may attend, total attendees may be no more than 14. No additional non-paying individuals may attend. Any auxiliary persons attending, such as a musician, helper, etc. must be included in the group total as a participating member and pay to attend, as determined case-by-case by the Morris Graves Foundation.
Costs for group retreats are determined by activity, case-by-case, with a small minimum charge per person, and a non-refundable reservation fee, which is applied to the total cost of the group’s attendance.
Group retreats: are for day-use only (overnight stays for groups are not possible); are not catered; occur during the retreat’s established seasonal year and hours; are not available Sundays or holidays, and do not include alcohol or drugs.
Requests for group day retreat opportunities are accepted and encouraged as early as January first of the current calendar year, as the year fills quickly.
This opportunity is offered by application, and available one time per group in a calendar year. For more information and to request an application, please write to:
MORRIS GRAVES FOUNDATION
ATTN: Robert and Desiree Yarber, Directors
P.O. Box 608
Fortuna, CA 95540
Day Retreats for Non-Profit Annual Board Meetings, Registered 501(c)(3)
A registered non-profit organization may apply for a retreat opportunity to hold an annual board meeting for up to 20 people, including all persons attending. No fee may be charged by the organization to attendees for any reason, nor paid to an attendee for any reason, including a guest speaker, facilitator, etc.
Groups retreats: are for day-use only, not overnight; are not catered; occur during the retreat’s established seasonal year and hours; are not available for Sundays or holidays, and do not include alcohol or drugs.
Requests for group day non-profit board retreat opportunities are encouraged as early as the 2nd week of January of the current calendar year, which fills quickly.
This opportunity is offered by application, and available one time per group in a calendar year. For more information and to request an application, please write to:
MORRIS GRAVES FOUNDATION
ATTN: Robert and Desiree Yarber, Directors
P.O. Box 608
Fortuna, CA 95540
Please be informed: For-profit organizations, fund-raisers for any person or organization, or social events, including weddings, pot-lucks, etc. are not hosted.
The MORRIS GRAVES FOUNDATION hosts a variety of events throughout the year on its own behalf in fulfillment of its mission.