Letter From the Co-Chairs
Hello Star Arts Friends!
Hooray! It’s fall, which means we get to reconnect with gratitude for the amazing 2023 Star Arts retreat, and we also get to start talking about 2024!
First things first. This year’s retreat was absolutely wonderful. Under the incredible leadership of Barbara O’Brien and Gail Carrigan, the Steering Committee and all our generous volunteers who worked together to create a delightful, smooth-sailing, spectacular retreat. We received so many compliments from retreaters about the world-class workshop leaders, super fun evening activities, powerful connections made, and the warmth and good cheer felt on island throughout the week. Our polar bears swam with ISHRA bears, our chapel services delighted YACs and Natural History conferees, and Star Island magic was tangible. We also loved welcoming so many wonderful new Shoalers! Thank you so much to everyone for all your hard work and bright shining hearts.
And now we get to start talking about next year’s retreat, which is a mere 8 and a half months away! Co-chairs for the 2024 retreat are Gail Carrigan and Sofia Piel; we are excited to be working together with the Steering Committee on next year’s most exciting week. The ideas are starting to flow and we’re getting ready to have our first online meeting in November. We thank you for your thoughtful responses to the annual retreat survey, and we welcome any thoughts and ideas from you throughout the year; all your input helps us facilitate the best possible retreat. Please send us an email any time!
Enjoy this beautiful fall season, and keep that Star light in your eye!
With love and Star Island spirit,
Gail Carrigan & Sofia Piel
Star Arts Retreat Co-Chairs, 2024
