The Fitzgerald Art Immersion — with Manon Sander

01 · The Retreat

A painter's dream, light and atmosphere

Corolla, located on the northern tip of North Carolina’s scenic Outer Banks, will be chockful of inspiration and its remote location conducive to dedicate this week to making, living, and breathing art.

Together we will explore en plein air the uncrowded sandy shores with their roaming herds of wild mustangs and historic landmarks like the red Currituck Beach Lighthouse. The Outer Banks are a painter’s dream. Under Manon’s guidance, you will translate what you see and feel into paintings that capture light, atmosphere, and a sense of time of day.

DatesMay 7–13, 2028

VenueThe Fitzgerald

InstructorManon Sander

Capacity12 private rooms

02 · Manon's Work

Light, color, and feeling

Fun In The Sun

Wind, Sun, and Sand

Three's A Party

Last Glimpse

In The Hot Seat

Landlubber

Paintings by Manon Sander — luminous color, the effects of light. See more at ManonSander.com.

03 · The Estate

The Fitzgerald

fig. i — the pool deck

fig. ii — hot tub, oceanfront

fig. iii — the Atlantic

fig. iv — pool & sun deck

fig. v — the sun deck

fig. vi — the wrap-around deck

fig. vii — the beach

fig. viii — outdoor hot tub

fig. ix — the estate

primary king suite

primary suite

king suite, teal

bedroom retreat

king suite

oceanview king

serene king, ivory

king suite, deep teal

elegant king

king, modern

fourteenth bedroom

coastal pink accents

bedroom 8 — king

bedroom 9 — king suite

bedroom 11

bedroom 12

bedroom 13

bunk room retreat

Fourteen rooms — king suites in teal, ivory, and coastal pink, most with ocean views, every one with an en-suite bath.

floor plan — The Fitzgerald

04 · What's Included

One price, the whole retreat

Six nights, oceanfront estate accommodation at The Fitzgerald — every room with en-suite bath
Meals throughout the retreat, excluding two lunches
Round-trip 4×4 transport between the parking area and the estate
Daily painting excursion to sites along the Corolla coast, plus one studio day
Daily instruction with Manon Sander — demos each day and individual easel guidance

06 · Reserve

Reserve your place

The Full Immersion Private Room + Workshop

^$4,900

per person · private room

Your own private room, six nights — en-suite bath
Full seat in Manon Sander's workshop
Daily painting excursion + studio day
Evening critiques included

12 of 12 left0 booked

25% deposit · $1,225 today

Reserve — Private Room

Shared Room + Workshop

^$3,300

per person · shared room

Share a room with your travel partner
Full seat in Manon Sander's workshop
Daily painting excursion + studio day
Evening critiques included

4 of 4 left0 booked

25% deposit · $825 today

Reserve — Shared Room

A 25% deposit holds your place; the balance is due 60 days before arrival. Twelve private rooms — once filled, registration closes. Airport transfers to and from Norfolk / Virginia Beach are not included. Hold the dates.

Already Joining

07 · Retreat FAQ

Good to know

How does a Shared Room place work?+

A Shared Room place is booked alongside a Private Room reservation — you share a room with your travel partner, and you both hold full workshop seats. Every room has an en-suite bathroom.

What's the deposit and cancellation policy?+

A 25% deposit holds a Private Room ($1,225) or Shared Room ($825) place. The remaining balance is due 60 days before arrival.

How do I get to The Fitzgerald?+

Round-trip 4×4 transport between the parking area and the estate is included — details and exact pickup time are sent after you reserve. The Fitzgerald sits on Corolla's four-by-four beach, 2.2 miles past the end of pavement. The nearest airport is Norfolk / Virginia Beach; airport transfers are not included.

What about meals?+

Meals are included throughout the retreat, excluding two lunches — those fall on excursion days and are on your own.

Who is this retreat for?+

Whether you are looking to refine your technique, ignite that creative spark, or simply enjoy painting with other artists in an inspiring setting, this retreat offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the coastal beauty of the Outer Banks and create under expert guidance. Participants should have basic drawing skills and some familiarity with their chosen medium and plein air setup to fully benefit from the workshop.

What should I bring? Which medium?+

A materials list and full packing list are emailed after registration. Bring your plein air setup — participants are welcome to paint in the medium of their choice: oil, acrylic or gouache.