Northwest Basket Weavers – Spring Retreat 2026

Join the Northwest Basket Weavers (NWBW) for their Spring Retreat 2026, a five-day basketry getaway at Seabeck Conference Center on the scenic Hood Canal near Silverdale, Washington.

This annual retreat is an adult-focused, immersive basketry experience—time to step away from everyday life, focus on weaving, learn new techniques, and connect with fellow basketmakers in a peaceful forest-and-waterfront setting.

Dates & Location

• Dates: May 13–17, 2026 (Wednesday–Sunday)

• Venue: Seabeck Conference Center (see campus map on the NWBW retreat page)

• Address: 13395 Lagoon Dr NW, Seabeck, Washington 98380

• Region: Kitsap Peninsula, Pacific Northwest, overlooking Seabeck Bay and Hood Canal

What to Expect at Retreat

For those who haven’t attended before, expect a long weekend full of basketry and guild community:

• Classes & workshops with a wide variety of projects taught by many talented instructors

• Time to learn in structured classes or bring your own projects for free weaving

• A true adult get-away to focus attention on basketry and personal creative time

• A relaxed, natural setting that encourages you to visit, connect, and recharge

• Evening presentations and events that showcase baskets, techniques, and stories

Retreat can be wonderfully intense—lots of talented people, concentrated learning, and many projects underway—so first-time attendees are encouraged to build in some free time alongside their class schedule.

Seabeck Conference Center Experience

Seabeck Conference Center is a historic retreat campus on the Kitsap Peninsula, with:

• Stunning views across Seabeck Bay toward the Olympic Mountains

• Hood Canal beach areas perfect for wandering and beachcombing

• A small lake, wooded trails, and open lawns for walking between sessions

• A variety of lodging—from single rooms to shared accommodations—with bedding and linens supplied (no pets allowed)

The atmosphere is casual and community-oriented: walk from your room to the dining hall, then to classrooms, then down to the beach—all without getting in a car.

Events & Activities

In addition to classes, the NWBW Spring Retreat includes a full slate of guild activities:

• Guild merchandise table with NWBW items

• Snack table stocked with goodies attendees bring to share

• Raffle Basket and Bag Raffles (drawings after dinner on selected evenings)

• Treasure Table featuring unusual materials and finds for a small donation

• Silent Auction & Live Auction on Friday evening—the main fundraiser for the guild, always lively and entertaining

• “Awl for Baskets” marketplace on Saturday evening, where members sell materials and finished items

• Gallery Show showcasing up to three baskets per member—class pieces, personal work, and teachers’ baskets, all welcome