The Latin word spir means to breathe
—to have a longing for.

For one extraordinary week, we’ll breathe in imagination, moxie, exploration, curiosity, storytelling, melodies, and colors of all kinds in the perfectly imperfect Castello San Sebastiano da Po, Italy. Join renowned artist Karima Cammell, noted creativity expert and writer Grant Faulkner, and guest musician Raphaella Hero, along with 18 fellow creators, storytellers, alchemists, and artists, for an unforgettable journey into artistic renewal.

Creative Itinerary

Every day, you’ll have a variety of ways to ignite your creativity:

With Grant Faulkner

• Daily storytelling workshops designed to help you write with love, be vulnerable on the page, and discover new stories through prompts, games, and writing sprints.

• Exploration of short-form writing, including fiction and creative nonfiction.

• One-on-one sessions for personalized feedback and mentorship.

With Karima Cammell

• Traditional painting workshops covering everything from making watercolor paint from scratch to preparing paper, creating charcoal, and crafting stencils and varnish.

• Guidance in building a sustainable daily practice to strengthen your painting skills and continue growing at home.

• Support in identifying artistic goals, shaping meaningful projects, and mapping a clear creative path forward.

• Playful exploration of new practices including travel journaling, collage, social and community art making.

• One-on-one sessions for personalized feedback and mentorship.

With Raphaella

• Live musical performances, singing circles, and harmony workshops to infuse your creative practice with heartbeat, sound and rhythm.

  
  

Beyond the Workshops

When you're not in class, you’ll have time to write, paint, or simply unwind. Take a dip in the villa’s pool, hike the nearby trails, or join an optional day trip to explore the region’s charming villages. Meals will be enjoyed at the trattoria next door. Karima will lead an optional tour of the Royal Palace on Sunday, April 6th and and the Egyptian Museum on the morning of Monday, April 7th in Turin.

A Typical Day

Breakfast: 7-9

Yoga: 8-9

Frame the day (playfully): 9:30 – 10

10:15-12:30: Choice of morning creative workshop

12:30 – 2: Lunch (and nap!)

2-4: Mentored creative explorations

6-7: Apertivo hour (Italian tea time/cocktail hour)

7-9: Dinner

9 – Bedtime: Community crafting, musical entertainment

·   Schedule will change to accommodate field trips, tastings, and other special activities

Retreat Pricing

The price includes:
✔ All meals at the castle (three meals daily, plus snacks and beverages)
✔ Transportation to and from Turin
✔ Yoga, WiFi, and room cleaning every two days
✔ Special outings and tastings
✔ All workshop materials and supplies

Not included: Airfare, entrance fees to the Royal Palace and Egyptian Museum in Turin, accommodations and meals in Turin.

• Workshop Attendee: $4,600

• Workshop Attendee (Shared Room): $3,675

• Guest (Not Attending Workshops): $3,070

Price includes a 2.9% credit card processing fee. If you would like to pay via direct deposit or wire transfer please email Karima to arrange payment.

Payment Plan upon request. Work/trade and Scholarships available on a need basis. Please email Karima directly to discuss options.

Meet Your Hosts

Grant Faulkner

Grant Faulkner is the co-founder of 100 Word Story, the co-host of the Write-minded podcast, and an executive producer on America’s Next Great Author. He has published three books on writing: The Art of Brevity: Crafting the Very Short Story; Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo; and Brave the Page, a teen writing guide.

He’s also published All the Comfort Sin Can Provide, a collection of short stories, Fissures, a collection of 100-word stories, and Nothing Short of 100: Selected Tales from 100 Word Story. His stories have been anthologized in collections such as Norton’s Flash Fiction America; New Micro: Exceptionally Short Fiction; and in several editions of the annual Best Small Fictions and Best Microfiction anthologies.His essays on creativity have been published in The New York Times, Poets & Writers, Lit Hub, Writer’s Digest, and The Writer.

Karima Cammell

Preapocalyptic artist Karima Cammell explores the intersection of archetypes, symbolism, and the cycles of history through traditional media such as egg tempera, oil paint, gilding, and glass. She is the author and illustrator of eight award-winning books, recognized by the IPPY Awards, International Rubery Book Award, and Indie Reader. Her art has been featured in Martha Stewart Living, Victoria, Faerie Magazine, Where Women Create, The San Francisco Chronicle, and more. In 2001, she founded Castle in the Air, a visionary artist’s studio, shop, and school that became a beloved hub for dreamers and a catalyst for reviving endangered arts. In 2019, Karima closed the shop to devote more time to her own artistic practice, though Castle in the Air continues to inspire a global community through her ongoing work. Most recently, her collection of work , The Light Gets In, won the solo spot for Made in California at Brea Gallery, and her painting, Tower of Babel, was included in the Royal Academy of London’s Summer Exhibition. Her motto is: “Believe in the Fantasy. Make it Real.”

Join Us

This retreat is designed for those longing to deepen their creative practice in a place of beauty, inspiration, and community. Whether you are a writer, painter, or dreamer, you will leave with renewed vision, tangible skills, and a clear path forward in your artistic journey.

Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today!