The 2025 Taos Paper Retreat

 

We sleep, but the loom of life never stops, and the pattern which was weaving when the sun went down is weaving when it comes up in the morning. We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.

– Henry Ward Beecher 

Paper Weaving in the Southwest

Come explore elegant weaving structures and beautiful papers that can be integrated into the stories of your life as you create wall art, window art, books, lanterns and more. The retreat pace will allow for structured teaching and individual meandering.

The retreat is full. Please fill out this form to be added to the waiting list.

I am also holding a retreat in Colorado, August 18 – 22, 2025. Click here to find out more.

Dates:

Sunday, July 20: Arrive for dinner at 6pm (check in is at 3pm)

Monday – Friday Schedule:

  • 8-9am: Breakfast
  • 9-12:00: Workshop
  • 12:00 – 1pm: Lunch
  • 2-4pm: Workshop
  • 4pm: explore Taos and dinner on your own.
  • You will have access to the studio during breaks and into the evening.

Saturday, July 26: Depart after breakfast (check out by 10:30am) 

 

Workshop Location

This workshop will be held at Mabel Dodge Luhan House (MDL), 240 Morada Lane, Taos, New Mexico, 87571. The facility borders Pueblo land and is within easy walking distance of the heart of Taos, NM. Those traveling by air can fly into Albuquerque or Santa Fe, then take a private shuttle or public transportation to Taos.

Mabel’s is an historic site and is not handicap accessible. Taos is at an elevation of about 7,000 feet above sea level. For those of you coming from lower altitudes, please read up on adjusting to high altitude and prepare to drink lots of water. I want you to feel your best!

The facility is not air-conditioned, but windows can be opened and fans are available. MDL is a retreat-style facility  with no televisions, alarm clocks or telephones. There is wi-fi only in the main living area (you will have 24-hour access to this space).

Please review this list of “Things to Know Before You Come to Mabel’s“.

 

Retreat Fee:

There are enough private rooms for everyone to have their own room, and they are all lovely. Helen will assign your room, based on the order of when you pay your deposit. You will have the option to request a shared room on the registration form, but unless you know the person you wish to share a room with, shared rooms can be tricky to coordinate. Take a peak at the rooms here. You can bring a companion (who is not taking the workshop) for an additional fee.

  • Historic House Private: $3,495

  • Historic House Shared: $3,195

  • Juniper House Private: $3,295
  • Juniper House Shared: $3,095

A $500 non-refundable deposit is due upon registration. The balance is due March 1, 2025.

What’s included:
  • Your single or shared room
  • Breakfasts, lunches, and 2 dinners
  • Coffee, tea and homemade cookies throughout the day
  • Most supplies
What’s not included:
  • Personal tools and some supplies (A list will be sent about a month before the retreat)
  • Your transportation to and from the Mabel Dodge Luhan House
  • Dinner, Monday – Thursday (dinner will be provided on Sunday and Friday)

 

 

Cancellations and Refunds

If you need to cancel your registration for any reason, please let me (Helen) know as soon as possible. If someone fills your spot, your payment will be refunded, minus the $500 nonrefundable deposit. If I am not able to fill your spot after your final payment, you will not receive a refund. If I have to cancel the retreat, you will receive a full refund. You may wish to purchase trip insurance.

If you have questions, feel free to e-mail Helen: helen@helenhiebertstudio.com.

About Helen

Helen Hiebert constructs installations, sculptures, films, artists’ books and works in paper using handmade paper as her primary medium. She teaches, lectures and exhibits her work internationally and online, and is the author of the several how-to books about papermaking and papercrafts. She has an extensive network of paper colleagues around the world and her interest in how things are made (from paper) keeps her up-to-date on current paper trends, which she writes about in her weekly blog called The Sunday Paper. She also hosts the podcast Paper Talk, and holds this annual paper retreat and papermaking master classes in her Red Cliff, Colorado studio.

Testimonials (from Helen’s annual Colorado retreat)

Helen’s Red Cliff Paper Retreat was a perfect mix of papermaking, paper vessels and mountain air. Her teaching style added just the right mix for a weekend filled with artistic fulfillment. I left feeling refreshed, and my mind was overflowing with my own interpretation of the many projects introduced. – Elizabeth Hansen, CO

This was my first time at the Red Cliff Retreat. I could not have asked for a more rewarding and educational experience. Helen and her assistant went above and beyond to make sure that everyone was able to meet their learning goals while having a fun time! – Lou Plummer, New Bern, NC

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for another amazing, creative, thoroughly satisfying and enjoyable retreat. Thank you for being such a patient teacher and sharing your boundless knowledge, talent and love of craft with all of us. Thank you for holding the space and creating an environment where everyone is free to share, and everyone supports everyone else. Thank you for being the beacon that attracts such a lovely group of people each year. I loved this retreat even more than the last one, and I loved the last one!  – L.L., Santa Fe, NM.

The retreat more than rewarded my 2,700 mile drive. Although we all were keenly aware of how valuable every minute was, there was a timelessness about the whole experience. The high quality instruction, magical setting, creating, and sharing made the experience magical. I came away with a head full of ideas for future projects. Elizabeth T., MI