Art Retreat. Landscape Painting Workshops in Virginia

Landscape Painting Workshops in Virginia

Honah Lee Winery is one of our favorite painting spots. Photo credit Honah Lee Winery.

2026 Retreat Dates

April 3–8 — Check‑in & check‑out for out‑of‑town guests
April 4–7 — Painting sessions, touring, and retreat activities

Virginia art retreats take place in Orange County, VA with Bridgeview founders, internationally acclaimed artists John Murray and Lena Murray. Orange County is located in Central Virginia and is probably the most beautiful spot for painters in America with its gentle rolling hills, views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, abundant vineyards, thoroughbred horse farms and architectural gems of pre-Civil War era. Also many consider it the birthplace of America since 4 of the first 6 presidents come from this area. Orange is the home to James Madison’s estate Montpelier wh ere the American Constitution was written. 

Video Highlights:

Art Retreat 2024.

Mayhurst Estate, our home base and one of the painting venues

Studio sessions for portrait and still life will be added to this Retreat as Blue Ridge occupies a 1500 SF studio on Main St in Orange.

The program will include PAINTING THE MAGNIFICENT LANDSCAPE in the Blue Ridge Mountains (Shenandoah National Park), Orchards at Grelen, one of our spectacular vineyards, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and James Madison’s Montpelier. Under our supervision students will learn plein air painting or painting on location. Students may choose any medium they like, pastels, acrylics, oils or watercolors. Time permitting, we will have a final show at the historic Orange Train Station to show and possibly sell your work! Your teachers are John and Lena Murray, the founders of the Bridgeview School of Fine Arts who, while running the school remotely since 2001, live, work and exhibit in Orange County, VA.

Special Note! This Art Camp/Retreat is for adults and kids. Recommended age for kids is 10 and up but younger kids can also join. No unaccompanied minors are allowed. Each party/family has to have a car to get from one point to another. However, the longest distance may be just 30 minutes of scenic country driving, since all points of touring/painting are very close to each other. Usually we have 2 painting sessions, a morning and afternoon. Non-painters do lots of historic touring/hiking/wine tasting/horseback riding/nature walks/antiqueing in nearby historic towns. All of this can be arranged at your request. We promise you, nobody will be bored! There are more things to explore here than you can imagine. One and only complaint from prior participants was that there was not enough time to do it all.

Pricing Overview

Art Program

  • Art Only: $600
  • Companion Fee: $300 (partners, spouses, friends, family)

Group Dinners

  • Gourmet Farm‑to‑Table Dinners (5 nights): $180

Total Without Lodging

• Artists: $780
• Companions: $480

Lodging

 Lodging is separate and varies based on party size and property type (luxury estate, B&B, farm cottage, etc.).
• Range for 5 nights: $800–$1500 per party

Photos below from prior Art Camps.


Mayhurst Estate usually hosts our guests. This is where it all happens, art and new friendships. Photo courtesy of Mayhurst.

Gabi Armstrong from Portland Oregon is painting the Blue Ridge Mountains at the Shenandoah National Park

Bridgeview student Antonia Pribanic and her younger sister with their art done at the Thomas Jefferson’s home in Monticello.

Our home base at Mayhurst Estate Bed and Breakfast is ideal for creating art and enjoying the tremendous beauty of our region in its tranquil and majestic setting. All historic rooms are unique and have its own stories.

Allie Lozitsky painting apples at the Grelen orchards in the Fall.

Bridgeview student Elena Rykoff painting a still life at the Mayhurst Estate, a historic bed and breakfast which is also the group’s home during
the visit.

Mom and daughter artist team. Kristin and Rose painting the incredible views at the Bloomingdale farm in Somerset.

Young artist painting at the historic Bloomingdale farm in Somerset near Orange.

First time on a horse for this 7 year old from Oklahoma

In between painting sessions Pribanic sisters enjoy real rural life at the Mayhurst Estate

In studio Portrait and Still Life Sessions. Portrait demonstration from a live model by your instructor John Murray.

Final Art Show and Sale by All Participants at the Blue Ridge Studios and Gallery on Main St. in Orange, VA.

Lots of new friendships made

The groups often tour and paint at the historic home and museum of James Madison, the father of the American Constitution. It was here that the Constitution was envisioned and parts of it written.

Sophia Petrides, a multiple times participant, painting at the historic Chatham Estate in Fredericksburg.

Historic Barboursville winery with the ruins of a home designed by Thomas Jefferson for Governor Barbour.

Camp participants tour the home and art studio of 19/20 century artist Gary Melchers in Fredericksburg.