Ampersand Retreat
January 10 - 12, 2027
An in-residence creative retreat and workshop experience
The Ampersand Retreat is an intimate, curated residency for visual practitioners to learn from great teachers, make meaningful progress on a personal project, and build relationships with peers at a gorgeous venue designed for creative work.
What is the Ampersand Retreat?
A Container for Learning & Connection
About the Retreat Experience
The retreat vibe is casual, creative, and collaborative.The mornings will each hold a half-day workshop with a superstar teachers in our field. We’ll spend 3-4 hours learning, practicing, and diving deep into a skill with a small cohort of peers.And the afternoons will be open for you to follow your energy. You'll have the freedom and space to work on personal projects, commune with nature, collaborate in small groups, rest, and hang out with cool people, etc.The retreat will be a blend of visual skill building, quiet deep work, socializing, and following your energy as we diverge as individuals and converge as colleagues.Sharing meals is a powerful communal and relationship building experience and all meals are included in this is a two-day, two-night, in-residence experience for 30 people.Ready to leave with a stronger visual practice, new collaborators, deeper connections, and meaningful progress on a personal creative project?
Heather Martinez teaching a lettering masterclass.
The lovely Airlie Retreat Center in Warrenton, VA.
The Airlie Retreat Center
The Origin Story
The original NOVA Scribes retreat was in August of 2021 at an Airbnb in the Poconos near a lake with four of the co-organizers. There were bike rides, naps, shared meals, and Brian's always-work-in-progress card deck of models, frameworks, and facilitation techniques.Since then we've been hosting small, invitation-only NOVA Scribes retreats twice a year. So far, we've been to Shenandoah, Durango, Lake Gaston, Kitty Hawk (multiple times), and Asheville.The mix of chill times, creative projects, and collaborating has been a delightful experience and we wanted to extend the invitation to include more of our friends from Ampersand.So, let's hang out, learn, explore, and have a lovely time together.Join us,
Rachel Thompson & Brian Tarallo
What's included?
All-Inclusive Experience
The full retreat experience on January 10 - 12, 2027 at our gorgeous venue, Airlie in Warrenton, VA
Half-day workshop with Heather Martinez of Let's Letter Together
Half-day workshop with Mike Rodhe, Author of Sketchnote Handbook
Small cohort of peers [30 max]
Two-nights of comfortable accommodations (Sunday and Monday nights)
All meals and snacks
Meeting and gathering space
Workshop materials
Parking and more
Travel is not included.
Workshop Teacher
Heather
Martinez
Heather Martinez facilitates the creative expression of others through teaching and sharing what inspires her. She is a Visual Practitioner, Lettering Artist, Appreciative Inquiry and Resilience Facilitator, Arts Coach, Writer and Change Agent.
Workshop Teacher
Mike
Rohde
Mike Rohde helps people turn complex ideas into clear, memorable visuals. He helps authors and brands communicate and amplify ideas visually. Mike is the author of two bestselling books on sketchnoting: The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook.
Retreat Host
Rachel
Thompson
Rachel is a visual facilitator and business strategist for solopreneurs. She is the founder of Daring Studios and the Solo Together Summit. She is a co-organizer of NOVA Scribes.
Retreat Host
Brian
Tarallo
Brian is a master facilitator and visual practitioner. He is the CEO and Managing Director of Lizard Brain. He is a co-organizer of NOVA Scribes.
Join in for Connection & Learning
Ready to Register for the Ampersand Retreat?
This is a workshop, studio residency, and gathering of visual peers in one experience.
The full retreat experience on January 10 - 12, 2027 at our gorgeous venue, Airlie in Warrenton, VA
Half-day workshop with Heather Martinez of Let's Letter Together
Half-day workshop with Mike Rodhe, Author of Sketchnote Handbook
Small cohort of peers [30 people max]
Two-night of comfortable accommodations (Sunday and Monday nights)
All meals and snacks
Meeting and gathering space
Workshop materials
Parking, and more
Limited spots available. Early Bird Tickets are available until September 30, 2026
FAQ
Who is this for?
This is for graphic recorders, visual facilitators and practitioners, sketch-noters and creative professionals.What is an example of a personal project people might working on?
You might develop a workshop, create a portfolio piece, work on an art project, write a book chapter or outline, refine a visual facilitation offer, build a website, experiment with a new style, dive into a course or workshop, get peer feedback on a work-in-progress, etc.Where is the retreat located?
At the lovely Airlie retreat and conference center located about 90 minutes from DC. This working farm has gorgeous accommodations, walking trails and ponds, and meeting spaces perfect for the workshops and gatherings.Address: 6809 Airlie Road, Warrenton, VA 20187What is the schedule?
Sunday is arrival and check-in. We'll gather for a welcome dinner Sunday evening.Monday includes breakfast, a 3-4 hour workshop in the morning, lunch, an open afternoon, snacks and dinner.Tuesday includes breakfast, the second 3-4 hour workshop, lunch, an open afternoon (including a snack), and a closing reflection circle before a late afternoon departure.When should I arrive? When should I plan to leave?
Check-in is at 3 pm on Sunday. You’ll need to check-out of your room Tuesday morning by 11 AM but we will be onsite the entire day so plan to leave at 4-ish.What about parking? Or transportation from the airport?
Self-parking is included in the cost. There is one EV charging station available. The nearest airport is Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and is 34 miles away. If you’re flying let us know and we can chat about carpool options.I’m local, can I just join during the day and not stay overnight?
Unfortunately not.What does it cost to attend?
The early bird tickets are $1,450 and are available until September 30, 2026. Regular tickets are $1,750 and are available until sold out or December 18, 2026 whichever is first.
Tickets include the entire retreat experience including two half-day workshops, workshop materials, two nights accommodation, all meals and snacks, gathering space, and an intimate small group size.Is there a payment plan?
Payment plans are not available for early bird tickets. If you're interested in a payment plan for the full event ticket, reach out. Any payment plan must be completed by December 18, 2026.What is the capacity of the retreat?
There are 26 tickets available for the Ampersand Retreat.What if I have dietary restrictions?
We’ll ask for more information after you register and coordinate with the venue to make sure you have delicious food available.What is the refund, cancellation, and transfer policy for the Ampersand Retreat?
Tickets are nonrefundable but are transferable until December 18th, 2026. In the event the organizers cancel the retreat, we will communicate about the next steps and refund options. Check out the full Ampersand Retreat Terms & Conditions here
Contact Us
Terms & Conditions
Main Page1. General
1.1. Event Organizers: The Ampersand Retreat is organized by Rachel Thompson, Daring Studios, and Brian Tarallo, Lizard Brain. (the “Organizers”).
1.2. Event Location and Dates: The Event will take place January 10 to 12, 2027, at the Airlie Conference Center, 6809 Airlie Road, Warrenton, VA 201872. Cancellations, Refunds, and Transfers
2.1. Cancellations by Attendees: Tickets are non-refundable. However, tickets may be transferred to another individual by notifying the Organizers in writing via email by December 18, 2026.
2.2. Cancellations by Organizers: If the Event is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, the Organizers will communicate about the next steps and refund options.
2.3. Force Majeure: The Organizers are not liable for cancellations or changes due to events beyond their control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, or government regulations.3. Code of Conduct
3.1. Respectful Behavior: Attendees are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, professional, and collaborative manner. Harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.
3.2. Removal from Event: The Organizers reserve the right to remove any attendee who violates the code of conduct without a refund.4. Event Content
4.1. Program Changes: The Organizers reserve the right to modify the Event schedule, sessions, speakers, or other elements of the Event at their discretion.
4.2. Intellectual Property: All materials presented at the Event are protected by copyright. Attendees may not record, reproduce, or distribute Event content without prior permission from the Organizers or respective presenters.5. Photography and Media
5.1. Event Photography: By attending the Event, you consent to be photographed and/or recorded.
5.2. Use of Images: The Organizers may use photos or recordings from the Event for promotional purposes. If you do not wish to appear in any promotional materials, please notify the Organizers in advance.6. Liability
6.1. Assumption of Risk: Attendees participate in the Event at their own risk. The Organizers are not liable for any injuries, illnesses, or losses incurred during or as a result of the Event.
6.2. Personal Belongings: Attendees are responsible for their personal belongings. The Organizers are not liable for any lost, stolen, or damaged items.
7. Privacy Policy
7.1. Data Collection: The Organizers may collect personal data during registration to manage Event logistics and communications.
7.2. Data Sharing: Personal data will not be shared with third parties without consent, except as required for Event operations. Personal data will not be sold.8. Governing Law
These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of the state where the Event is held. Any disputes shall be first resolved in the courts of that jurisdiction after a good faith participation in mediation.Contact Us
For questions please contact us at [email protected]