September 11-15, 2023

Explore the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and learn new skills with a sketching workshop taught by popular urban sketcher, Pat Southern Pearce! 

UK-based urban sketcher and artist and the "Queen of Watercolour Pencils",  Pat Southern Pearce, was born and raised in the North of England. Pat trained as a painter and had a long career in teaching in schools and at University before she stepped back to work for herself. She is known for her love of watercolour pencil on toned grounds. Pat has taught workshops around the world and is a favourite at USK Symposiums.  

Check out this free demo taught by Pat Southern Pearce:

 

About Niagara-on-the-Lake

Deep in the heart of wine country, Niagara-on-the-Lake is well known for streets lined with flower beds, charming shops and restaurants and immaculate neighbourhoods. In 2018 it was named "the friendliest town in Canada". Niagara-on-the-Lake is a half hour drive from the US border crossing at Niagara Falls and is about 1.5 hours from both the Toronto and Buffalo airports. In September the average daytime high temperature is 22.0°C (71.6°F) and the average night time low is 12.3°C (54.14°F)--perfect weather for our art vacation!

Warm Up Sketch + Welcome Reception

Welcome to Niagara-on-the-Lake! Workshop participants who arrive early are invited to meet in the hotel lobby at 2:00 for a warm up sketch. This is optional and Pat will not be teaching. All tour participants are invited to a wine & cheese welcome reception at 6pm. 

Day 1 Workshop #1 + Historic Walking Tour

September 11, 2023

After breakfast, participants will walk to the location of Workshop #1. 

After lunch we will go on a one-hour historic walking tour led by a qualified guide who will explain the important role Niagara-on-the-Lake played in the history of Canada.

Day 2 Workshop #2 + Tour old Fort George 

September 12, 2023

After breakfast, participants will walk to the location of Workshop #2. After lunch we will Tour old Fort George a military fortification used by the British Army, the Canadian militia, and the United States Armed Forces for a brief period. The fort was mostly destroyed during the War of 1812.

Day 3 Workshop #3 + Bus tour of Niagara Falls, the whirlpool and a winery 

September 13, 2023

In the morning we will walk to the location of Workshop #5. This afteroon is free time--time to wander on your own, shop or relax.

Departure

September 16, 2023

It's time to say goodbye but you will never forget the friends you made or the skills you learned during this great week! Or extend your stay for a long relaxing holiday!  

Please note that the exact locations of the sketching workshops and the order of events in this itinerary are subject to change.

Recommended Workshop Supply List

FAQs

Click HERE for answers to frequently asked questions.

For more information about this vacation package contact Brenda Murray Studio56Boutique@gmail.com. 

Tour Includes

• A welcome reception
• All art classes
• Admission to attractions listed above
• half-day excursion via coach to Niagara Falls and a winery
• Farewell dinner

Tour Excludes

• Flights to/from
• Hotel
• airport pick-up and drop-off
• Meals (except those listed above)
• Painting supplies
• Porterage/luggage handling
• Travel insurance
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Items not explicitly specified in the inclusion list

Cost in USD

$1430.USD Workshop Participant

$699.USD NonWorkshop Participant (such as partner or travelling buddy)

NonWorkshop Participant tickets include the same attractions and meals as the Workshop Participants with the exception of the art classes.

To reserve your spot in this workshop a $500 nonrefundable deposit is required for Workshop Participants and a $300 nonrefundable deposit is required for nonWorkshop Participants which is due 150 days before the start of the workshop (April 14, 2023). The remaining balance is due 120 days before the start of the workshop (May 14, 2023)

To make a deposit, please scroll to the bottom and click BOOK NOW.

PLEASE READ OUR  REFUND POLICY.

Bring a Friend and Get a Discount

Here's how it works. You and your sketching buddy register for the workshop with your deposits. Then send us an email and tell us you are registering with a sketching buddy. You will each be sent a discount code for $50 that you can apply when you pay the balance of your tickets.

The small print: This discount code cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount code and it can only be applied to 2 Workshop participant tickets if the workshop sells out with 15 participants.

Accommodations

The official hotel of this tour is The Moffat Inn, a Vintage Hotel. This lovely little hotel is on the main street and just steps away from all workshop locations and sites. The group room rate is $190 Canadian dollars/room/night including breakfast. Guest parking is free. As a member of the Vintage Hotel Group, guests are welcome to make use of the pools and spas in the other nearby Vintage Hotels such as the Prince of Wales Hotel, the Pillar and Post Hotel and Queen's Landing--all just a short walk away. To check the cost of the hotel room in your currency click HERE.

How to Make A Hotel Reservation

Before making a hotel reservation, please click the BOOK NOW button below to ensure you have a spot in this workshop.

After you have secured your spot in this workshop, then you can make a reservation in this hotel first by clicking HERE. Be sure to select THE MOFFAT INN and enter the Studio 56 code 3592677 in the "Group ID" box of the booking screen. Or contact the hotel's reservation department 1-888-669-5566 and request the Reservation line identifying yourself as attendees of the Studio 56 Event.

The group rate and availability is guaranteed until July 13, 2023. Free cancellation up until 14 days before the start of your reservation.

Workshop participants are not obliged to stay in this hotel. You are welcome to stay in another hotel or Airbnb if you prefer. However, if you would like to stay in this hotel, we suggest you make your reservation asap to get the type of room you want as there is free cancellation up to 14 days prior to arrival.

Note: if you want to share a room with another participant, let Brenda know and we will try to find a room mate for you.

Pedestrian Friendly?

Absolutely! The terrain of this town is mostly flat with even sidewalks bordered by loads of flowers. Everything is within walking distance.

Travel + Medical Insurance

Travel insurance is also highly recommended as it covers you in the event you must cancel your trip and it covers emergency medical services which may be significantly more expensive than expected when travelling in a foreign country. Please check with your insurance provider. Click HERE for a list of US insurance providers. Some credit card companies may also offer travel insurance if you paid for your trip with that card.

Covid-19 Vaccinations + Protocols

The instructor and tour manager are fully vaccinated against covid-19.  This tour will be following all locally recommended protocols. As of Sept 30, 2022 Canada has dropped the requirement that visitors must be vaccinated to enter the country. Please check the covid protocols required for Canada by clicking this link: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid and check back close to the date of departure as the protocols may change.

Your Tour Manager

Participants will be accompanied by Studio 56 owner, Brenda Murray. Brenda is a Canadian artist and arts advocate, the founder of Urban Sketchers Waterloo Region and a former Urban Sketchers Board member. A seasoned traveler, Brenda has traveled to Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea (lived there for 4 years), Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, UK, and the USA (35 states). Brenda will be on hand to assist the instructor and to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Learn more about Brenda HERE. 

For More Information

Email Studio56Boutique@gmail.com or call Brenda Murray at 519-572-1757.

How to Register for this Workshop

The first step to register for this exciting vacation workshop is to click the BOOK NOW button below to make your deposit.