Casowosco is a retreat center on Owosco Lake in upstate New York. Bi –annually, the quilters of Tompkins county descend on Lake Owosco in a horde, carrying boxes of fabric and expensive sewing machines.

I have the joy of being a member of the Tompkins Co quilt guild, despite living seven hours away, in Maryland. I, too, load up my car with glee in the fall, and drive to this beautiful, peaceful haven for a wild weekend of stichin’ joy.

I meet new artists, hug artists I am thrilled to re-connect with, hear their stories, and have an audience for my own. Sharing, a word with meaning far beyond it’s few syllables. Quilts are made of fabric, cut up, and sewn together again in a new, magnificent, expressive solid flat sheet, which is then sandwiched and quilted. So we, as pieces of fabric, are reunited, and become whole for a time.

We leave carrying more than our projects and our equipment. Where we had twigs of thought, we bear away fruiting wild trees, laden heavy with new directions projects may take.

Thinking about a retreat, even a day, for your local art group? I suggest you take the leap!