At Home in Their Sanctuary

From: The Keene Sentinel
Web Posted 1/13/2006
NICOLE S. COLSON

WESTMINSTER WEST–It's as quiet as a church, and it serves as a place where people can go to look inward, so it only makes sense that Caitlin and Peter Adair call their home Sanctuary.

The Adairs spent so much time turning their living space into a tranquil setting, they thought it needed to be shared with people.

"Our home is a lifelong art project," Caitlin said about the house they moved into from Brattleboro in 2003.

An artist herself, who likes to create abstract works of art in tempura paint and pastels, many of which hang on the walls of Sanctuary, Caitlin said she wanted the energy of artists in her house. So the couple decided to host a series of retreats for them.

The first was in November and six artists attended, including painters, a photographer and a writer. Caitlin worked in pastels and did dance and movement, another of her many pursuits.

The day started with a check-in, a time when the group talked about why they were there. After a 20-minute silent meditation, they split up and had free reign of the house, retreating to different corners.

All Caitlin asked was that they bring their own materials (there is also a fee); she made a vegetarian lunch and provided snacks. At the end of the day, artists shared what they accomplished and the day finished with another meditation.

Their modern house was built in 1975 and served as an alternative community school before it was converted into a dwelling. Before the Adairs moved in, a sun room, hardwood floors and a "platform,"– a raised section of the 48-foot living room–was added.

"We didn't do much structurally," Caitlin said. After knocking out a wall and adding a few skylights, they achieved their desired result.

Before visitors walk through the front door, they instantly notice a fascinating conversation piece–Peter's wood pile–which is a work of art itself. "I thought it was too linear and uninteresting," he said. "I wanted curves."

After about a month of occasionally working on the "pile" (he said he could have finished it in two weeks if he was uninterrupted), he created something beautiful.

Once inside, it's obvious why artists love Sanctuary. Everywhere you look, there's something beautiful to see, not to mention places to curl up and just soak in the positive energy.

You can sit at the table in the sun room, with its brick floors and windows everywhere, and Caitlin might whip you up a cup of her homemade herbal tea. The living room, with its buttery yellow walls, tons of natural light, plants and plenty of comfy cushions to sit on, is another perfect spot.

Caitlin said she doesn't like to teach art, which is why the retreats are not structured as lessons. "I want people to know they can come from themselves," she said.

As a young child, Caitlin said she was uninhibited artistically, but as time went on, she became more doubtful of her abilities. Many years later, she decided to purchase some paint that would be used at a nursery school. It reminded her of the creative freedom she felt earlier in her life.

"I wanted to get back to that," she said.

Caitlin helps people address personal issues through what she calls expressive therapy by helping them find this creative freedom. She calls this aspect "soulplay," and it can be done through drama, painting, drawing, movement or voice.

"It's however you express yourself to get in touch with your center and move your issues," she said.

Caitlin started offering this type of therapy in 1993 and continued for about three years before she took some time off. Now, she offers sessions at Sanctuary. She has no formal training, but has a 20-year background in dance, art and her own inner work. "I think I have a gift," she said.

They both like to tell people that Caitlin does the art and soul work while Peter does the science and spirit.

He has an undergraduate degree in physics and a master's in philosophy. One particularly noteworthy accomplishment was spending a year and a half in a Zen Buddhist monastery in Japan, followed by a few years in monasteries in the United States.

Leaning on those experiences, in March he will host a mystics' retreat at Sanctuary. He said this retreat is meant for people to understand the essence of these spiritual traditions "without the accoutrements."

Peter will host a science retreat on Sunday, Jan. 29, at Sanctuary, during which the group will reflect on such topics as quantum physics and the mystery of the natural world. The day will include a walk and meditations, and, like every retreat, lunch and snacks.

Retreats and expressive therapy are not all the Adairs have to offer–Caitlin also runs a business at home called Simple Beauty using her skills working professionally in local homes and gardens for nearly 20 years.

Simple Beauty's purpose is to help clients create "nurturing spaces in and around the home," whether it's through cozy sitting, eating and sleeping areas; paint and fabric colors; or by organizing their stuff. She also works with clients on how to organize the gardens they want, whether it's by mapping how to set up flowers, shrubs and trees or creating rooms and pathways.

As an organic gardener in southern Vermont since 1973, Caitlin can offer other services including showing gardeners how to improve their soil.

In April, the Adairs hope to have the remodeling finished in their guest room, which can accommodate two people. The addition of this room means Sanctuary will become a bed and breakfast.

"It will be like a retreat for people who want to become centered," Caitlin said.

For more information about retreats, Caitlin's movement and dance classes, soulplay or Simple Beauty,visit our calendar page. To register for any event, call 802-387-5779, or contact info@sanctuaryvermont.com .





	At Home in Their Sanctuary From: The Keene Sentinel Web Posted 1/13/2006 NICOLE S. COLSON WESTMINSTER WEST–It's as quiet as a church, and it serves as a place where people can go to look inward, so it only makes sense that Caitlin and Peter Adair call their home Sanctuary. The Adairs spent so much time turning their living space into a tranquil setting, they thought it needed to be shared with people. "Our home is a lifelong art project," Caitlin said about the house they moved into from Brattleboro in 2003. An artist herself, who likes to create abstract works of art in tempura paint and pastels, many of which hang on the walls of Sanctuary, Caitlin said she wanted the energy of artists in her house. So the couple decided to host a series of retreats for them. The first was in November and six artists attended, including painters, a photographer and a writer. Caitlin worked in pastels and did dance and movement, another of her many pursuits. The day started with a check-in, a time when the group talked about why they were there. After a 20-minute silent meditation, they split up and had free reign of the house, retreating to different corners. All Caitlin asked was that they bring their own materials (there is also a fee); she made a vegetarian lunch and provided snacks. At the end of the day, artists shared what they accomplished and the day finished with another meditation. Their modern house was built in 1975 and served as an alternative community school before it was converted into a dwelling. Before the Adairs moved in, a sun room, hardwood floors and a "platform,"– a raised section of the 48-foot living room–was added. "We didn't do much structurally," Caitlin said. After knocking out a wall and adding a few skylights, they achieved their desired result. Before visitors walk through the front door, they instantly notice a fascinating conversation piece–Peter's wood pile–which is a work of art itself. "I thought it was too linear and uninteresting," he said. "I wanted curves." After about a month of occasionally working on the "pile" (he said he could have finished it in two weeks if he was uninterrupted), he created something beautiful. Once inside, it's obvious why artists love Sanctuary. Everywhere you look, there's something beautiful to see, not to mention places to curl up and just soak in the positive energy. You can sit at the table in the sun room, with its brick floors and windows everywhere, and Caitlin might whip you up a cup of her homemade herbal tea. The living room, with its buttery yellow walls, tons of natural light, plants and plenty of comfy cushions to sit on, is another perfect spot. Caitlin said she doesn't like to teach art, which is why the retreats are not structured as lessons. "I want people to know they can come from themselves," she said. As a young child, Caitlin said she was uninhibited artistically, but as time went on, she became more doubtful of her abilities. Many years later, she decided to purchase some paint that would be used at a nursery school. It reminded her of the creative freedom she felt earlier in her life. "I wanted to get back to that," she said. Caitlin helps people address personal issues through what she calls expressive therapy by helping them find this creative freedom. She calls this aspect "soulplay," and it can be done through drama, painting, drawing, movement or voice. "It's however you express yourself to get in touch with your center and move your issues," she said. Caitlin started offering this type of therapy in 1993 and continued for about three years before she took some time off. Now, she offers sessions at Sanctuary. She has no formal training, but has a 20-year background in dance, art and her own inner work. "I think I have a gift," she said. They both like to tell people that Caitlin does the art and soul work while Peter does the science and spirit. He has an undergraduate degree in physics and a master's in philosophy. One particularly noteworthy accomplishment was spending a year and a half in a Zen Buddhist monastery in Japan, followed by a few years in monasteries in the United States. Leaning on those experiences, in March he will host a mystics' retreat at Sanctuary. He said this retreat is meant for people to understand the essence of these spiritual traditions "without the accoutrements." Peter will host a science retreat on Sunday, Jan. 29, at Sanctuary, during which the group will reflect on such topics as quantum physics and the mystery of the natural world. The day will include a walk and meditations, and, like every retreat, lunch and snacks. Retreats and expressive therapy are not all the Adairs have to offer–Caitlin also runs a business at home called Simple Beauty using her skills working professionally in local homes and gardens for nearly 20 years. Simple Beauty's purpose is to help clients create "nurturing spaces in and around the home," whether it's through cozy sitting, eating and sleeping areas; paint and fabric colors; or by organizing their stuff. She also works with clients on how to organize the gardens they want, whether it's by mapping how to set up flowers, shrubs and trees or creating rooms and pathways. As an organic gardener in southern Vermont since 1973, Caitlin can offer other services including showing gardeners how to improve their soil. In April, the Adairs hope to have the remodeling finished in their guest room, which can accommodate two people. The addition of this room means Sanctuary will become a bed and breakfast. "It will be like a retreat for people who want to become centered," Caitlin said. For more information about retreats, Caitlin's movement and dance classes, soulplay or Simple Beauty,visit our calendar page. To register for any event, call 802-387-5779, or contact info@sanctuaryvermont.com .