Key to the Castle Workshop

Welcome to our generative and restorative workshops where writing, art, and yoga co-mingle.

Current Workshops

Featured
What Are You Waiting For?
Jul 21
What Are You Waiting For?

Coming July 21, 2026 from Motina Books and available where books are sold!

Sunset Sail & Awareness Painting in Italy w/ Bill Papaleo
Jul 21
Sunset Sail & Awareness Painting in Italy w/ Bill Papaleo

As a sponsor of the inaugural Wellness Wave Festival in May of 2026, Key to the Castle Workshop is thrilled to collaborate on these monthly events in both Italy and the United States leading up to our participation next year at the Wellness Wave Festival, Friday, May 21st through Sunday, May 23rd in 2027.

Summertime Writing Refresher
Aug 21
Summertime Writing Refresher

Join Kathy and Terri for a one-day refresher session at MOVE Cold Spring! Generative writing prompts (and maybe even a few very short "summer-ish" excerpts from literature) will be offered and then students will have a chance to write, share and revise.

Six Weeks, Six Rooms: A Gathering of Generative Writing
Sep 22
Six Weeks, Six Rooms: A Gathering of Generative Writing

Join us for a six-week generative writing workshop where we will read and write with these specific themes, these places, in mind and heart. How might we find material for our blank pages from reflecting on experiences in or with the rooms we’ve occupied throughout our lives?  Or, how does thinking about rooms (the contents, purpose and style) ignite curiosities about writing, structure and voice? Where does our literal and figurative understanding of home fit into this? 

Raveling and Unraveling: An Exhibition of Works by Bill Papaleo
Nov 13
Raveling and Unraveling: An Exhibition of Works by Bill Papaleo

An artistic journey with our partner Bill Papaleo through movement and light from the Hudson River Valley to Southern Italy

Opening Reception: 
Friday, November 13, 2026 from 6pm-8pm

MOVE Cold Spring
37 Chestnut Street
Cold Spring, NY 10516

Show Dates: November 13, 2026 - March 12, 2027

Wellness Wave Festival | May 21 – 23 | Vietri sul Mare and Salerno
May 21
Wellness Wave Festival | May 21 – 23 | Vietri sul Mare and Salerno

Wellness Wave Festival | May 21 – 23, 2027 | Vietri sul Mare and Salerno 

Find Your Balance. Join the Wave.

From May 21 to 23, a wave of energy, mindfulness, and well-being arrives in Vietri sul Mare and Salerno. 

Yoga, meditation, music, outdoor activities, creative workshops, and shared moments: four days to rediscover your balance and let yourself be inspired by nature and the sea. An experience open to all, where body, mind, and soul meet. 

Give Yourself Permission: A Restorative Winter Retreat for Writers — Fall 2027
Nov 3
Give Yourself Permission: A Restorative Winter Retreat for Writers — Fall 2027

Join Kathy, Pat, andAngela in this historic, dare we say, Castle, situated on the St. Lawrence River in Quebec City for a Winter Retreat for Writers.

About Us
Meet the Team
Workshops

 

Media

THE DEBBIE NIGRO SHOW

Giving Writers The Keys To the Castle In Italy

Listen Now

Testimonials

  • "What a pleasure it was to be in your company this past weekend. It is not easiest thing to do - join a group of strangers while hoping to find the mental space to explore one’s craft. Kathy, Angela, and Pat made this remarkably easy for me. Their warm welcome, convivial approach to our evenings, and the endless efforts to make sure our bodies and souls were well nourished with both food, breath, and words - was a much needed reprieve for me. Thank you."

    Jamie J.

  • "Equal parts amazing hosts and amazing co-attendees made the retreat so special. Thank you to Pat and Kathy and Angela for all the hard work it takes to make something look seamless. Thanks to all my new writer-friends for being instantly easy and fun to hang out with."

    Melanie A.

  • "Thankful to Pat, Kathy and Angela for your endless work and meticulous planning to make this weekend's outing inspiring, upbeat, fun and a great spark..I so enjoyed meeting everyone...it's rare to find a group who don't all know each other to coalesce so quickly, support one another so totally, and inspire each other to keep going."

    Rainy H.

  • "What a wonderful weekend it was…the sense of community that Kathy, Pat and Angela created for us blew me away. Thank you so much you three for creating such a safe space...enough for us all to come together, or to be alone…I spent a lot of time taking in the spirit and energy of your generosity…and to the women who you three created such a treat for…I have been in many groups and communities... you three set the standard...I am grateful to each and every one of you on this weekend journey, for giving me the opportunity to look at and into myself, and see my reflection in each and every one of you."

    Carol K.