Celtic ConVergence Wax Across the Water

Celtic ConVergence — Wax Across the Water is co-sponsored by International Encaustic Artists (IEA), IEA's European Encaustic Chapter, Mulranny Arts in Mulranny, Ireland, and Enkaustikos.

Celtic ConVergence - Wax Across the Water

An Intimate Encaustic Retreat on the edge of Clew Bay Co. Mayo, Ireland

Imagine yourself at IEA's intimate retreat in Ireland with a small group of artists and a shared experience (demos, panels, and talks). Share meals and get to know your fellow artists at the Welcome dinner, continental breakfasts, and lunch bufets. Join us for a musical Pub evening with great food, songs, and “craic.” Dancing is encouraged!

Attendees can also sign up for one of multiple workshops being ofered pre-retreat on Wednesday and Thursday, October 11-12, 2023, and post-retreat on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 17-18, 2023. And attendees who are new to encaustics can sign up for a pre-retreat beginners workshop.

Pre-retreat workshop-only attendees are invited to join the retreat attendees at the Welcome Dinner. Post-retreat workshop-only attendees are invited to attend a fun social event on the last night of the retreat. And everyone is welcome to attend the IEA Juried Exhibition and artists’ reception.

Mulranny is a small seaside village on Clew Bay in Co. Mayo. It is located at the dramatic western edge of Ireland, the end boundary of Europe.

Here, land and sea meet at the threshold of a powerful creative adventure. Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain, rises majestically from the sea on the opposite side of the bay. It is here that the ancients as well as the modern day pilgrims have climbed the steep path to the summit. You can see the small chapel’s reflective glint on the top.

This is sheep country and below the village the sheep stand still as the tide comes in over their grazing patch on a salt marsh. They have learned to patiently stand and wait for the waters to recede so they can once again graze the salty grass. The rhythm of life is dominated by these tides, flowing over the white sand beaches and then leaving in hasty withdrawal to the vast Atlantic Ocean.

There will be an opportunity to do some sightseeing mid week with our fabulous Tour Guide Colum, who will regale you with stories (some of them, true!) about the area, OR you may wish to avail yourself of the open studios time at one of our gorgeous encaustic studios.

Mulranny Arts Campus

Studio at EOM

The retreat and exhibition will be held at Mulranny Arts Campus, the workshops will be at the EOM campus and the Mulranny Arts Campus, and all retreat accommodations will be close by. Transportation will be provided for meals out and our sightseeing days.

A Virtual Conference Package is included for free for Retreat and Workshop attendees. For Virtual only attendees, there is a minimal charge.

Virtual content will include product and technique videos, instructional material (digital books, handouts, and patterns), a short video walkthrough of the exhibition, and retreat videos (edited videos from a few of the demos, talks, and panels).

Registration for the retreat and workshops will open in mid January 2023. Be sure to check the International Encaustic Artists website for updates on when registration will open. Retreat space is limited, and we will start a wait list once all retreat spaces are filled.