Daily Program:

Meet for the first time in our retreat location in beautiful Cambria California.  Arrive a little early to take in the beautiful full ocean views before we start at 4:00. Our first meal together is dinner at 5:30. We gather for sunsets and campfire at 8pm.

We'll start with clay in hands as our group of 8 participants gathers in the Craft Bungalo.  We'll proceed through the 3 nights and 4 days feeling the magical way creative clay subtly influences our connections to ourselves, each other and the animals we choose to sculpt.  

Shaping, building, enlarging, trimming, observing and changing — all sculpture skills that lead us forward on a path of creativity, self-discovery and love of animals and cultural wisdom of our relationships to animals. 

Work on your own creations as you are expertly guided and encouraged in the skills you need as your vision for your animal takes form.

Each person will have at least 3 pieces -- totem animals or spacing pieces drying and ready to fire at the end of the week.  We will provide underglazes for applying color to your unfired creations.  You may leave your creations under our watchful guidance at the end of our 4 days for the first firing and glazing.    

   Give yourself or a loved one
   an experience to be
   cherished for the rest of
   your life.  Gift certificates
​   available 240-350-8533..  

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Prices and Pre-Registration

​Reviews from previous retreats:

Animals, nature and a beautiful central California coastal setting set the stage for a special “This is about me and for me “ weekend. A casual but organized pottery event unfolded over several days where we were able to select and plan our pieces with animals as the central focus. Emilie provided instruction and guidance on how to obtain either true life or whimsical representations of our animals which met all our needs. Throughout the weekend everyone encouraged each other and chimed in with ideas. The group had various degrees of pottery experience and everyone walked away with a completed piece they loved. The retreat was well thought out and not a detail was missed. Emilie provided a special weekend for inner growth and creativity that will always have a special memory for me. Thank you Emilie for taking us to this very special place to focus on ourselves using the medium of pottery.  You are a treasure.    (Susan A.)

Reviews from 2026 Animal Sculpture and Totems Retreat:

It was such a good gathering of like-minded people.  I enjoyed getting to know all of you? And thank you Emilie for all your work in making the clay weekend successful…Magical!     (Pat K)


It was great fun meeting everyone of you.  Making art together, sharing meals and laughs, and just hangout in a beautiful setting overlooking the ocean in Cambria.  I doesn’t get much better in my book.     (Jeannine S.)



After completing a 3 day sculpturing and totem workshop with Emilie Parker instructing I can honestly say it was a 100% positive experience.  There was creativity, friendship, personal growth and lots of laughs! Again 100% positive.      (Kate L.)


I had a wonderful time just focusing on creating and playing with clay with Emilie’s prompts, examples and inspirations while staying at a beautiful location on the coast. Definitely a place to feel connected to your creativity and to build up your talents!     (Beth P.)


I just returned from Emilie Parker’s Animal Sculpture and Totem workshop at Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria, CA and I could not be happier with the experience!
I am not a particularly “artsy” person but signed up for the workshop because I know that I love animals and Cambria, and this sounded like a great way to broaden my horizons and tap into my creative side, as well as spend time with a good friend of mine.  The workshop did not disappoint!
Emilie was fabulous to work with.  She provided all the tools that were going to be needed and her communication during every step of this workshop was outstanding.
We arrived knowing what we needed to bring and quite a bit about the workshop content.
Emilie was so patient and helpful in assisting all of us and really brought a high degree of artistic expertise to the workshop.
I loved the time spent discovering our spirit animals, and that process provided not only a foundation for our creation in the workshop but was also very enlightening for our lives in general.
Workshop attendees were from a broad range of experience levels, yet all were made to feel welcome and appreciated. Our group of 9 participants got to know each other quickly and the new friendships made for an incredibly special experience.
Emilie also had support from several members of her studio as well as her husband, Douglas. They really added to the experience. Special shout out to Jeannine for always being a great source of inspiration and always being ready to share a laugh.
Camp Ocean Pines itself was spectacular with its location overlooking one of the prettiest coastlines on the Central Coast.  Cabins are not fancy, but they are comfortable, and the meal service is fresh, healthy, and delicious. I could have easily stayed longer than 3 nights.
Thank you Emilie for an unforgettable experience!
(Linda W.)

Prices and Pre-registration