PICTURE BOOK CAMP
Immersive illustration workshops on picture book making.
WHAT
A five-day immersive illustration workshop
WHEN
Winter 2027
WEEK ONE
February 23 to March 1
Led by Matthew Forsythe
WEEK TWO
March 2 to 8
Led by Sydney Smith
WHERE
Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts
Toronto Island, Canada
FOR
Emerging to established illustrators interested in picture books
FEE
$2,300 CAD plus applicable taxes *for financial assistance, see the FAQ section
APPLICATION DEADLINE
UPDATE - September 26, 2026
In winter 2027, join a small group of emerging and established illustrators on Toronto Island for five days of artist-led programming, focused studio time, shared meals, and creative community.
Picture Book Camp is for artists who want to deepen their picture book practice, learn from experienced guides, and spend meaningful time making alongside people who understand how challenging and rewarding book-based work can be.
PICTURE BOOK
CAMP PRESENTS:
WEEK ONE: FEB 23 TO MARCH 1, 2027
WORLD BUILDING WITH CHARACTER & COLOUR
DESIGNED & LED BY MATTHEW FORSYTHE
Gianni Rodari said that stories are a meeting of contrasting ideas.
Over several days, Matthew will lead participants through games, exercises, and lectures exploring how opposing energies in character, colour, text, and image can be used to write and paint picture books.
Identifying emotional moments for our stories
Three act structure and how to use it
Emotional use of colour and paint
Thumbnailing and page composition techniques
Editing and re-writing
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Matthew Forsythe is an award-winning author-illustrator, painter, and designer from Canada.
He is the creator of the acclaimed picture books Pokko and the Drum, Mina, and Aggie and the Ghost. In animation, he served as lead designer on Adventure Time and as production designer on the Oscar-nominated film Robin Robin.
He teaches character design at VIA University in Denmark and has led storytelling and painting workshops around the world.
“Matthew’s rare combination of rigorous professional discipline, artistic mastery, and generous mentorship makes him an ideal fit for a structured artist retreat. I am confident that his leadership will foster a highly productive and inspiring environment.”
- Ilinca Balaban, former Studio Assistant
WEEK TWO: MARCH 2 TO MARCH 8, 2027
DRAWING FROM THE WELL: MEMORY AS MATERIAL
DESIGNED & LED BY SYDNEY SMITH
This workshop explores the foundational basics of picture books and their conceptual possibilities. Sourcing our own experiences and memories, we develop unique stories that are inherently profound and meaningful.
Sydney Smith will share the intimate insights gathered from each of his award winning books that cover topics such as counterpoint, pacing and the sublime. Be prepared to reconsider how you see picture books and their incredible potential.
Building a picture book story from personal experience
Crafting an emotional picture
How to tell the story subtext through image
Inviting the reader to pause and to turn the page
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Sydney has led workshops worldwide, sharing his passionate approach to illustration and visual storytelling.
Sydney Smith is a children’s book illustrator whose illustration and writing have received multiple awards, including the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with his wife and two sons.
“It was not only an inspiring and exciting event for students, but it exemplified Sydney's generosity and unwavering support of the illustration community… His beautiful artwork is what first drew us to him as a speaker, but his insight into art practices, and his kindness and openness with aspiring illustrators has kept us inviting him back.”
- Shelley Jackson, Course Director of MA Children’s Book Illustration
IS PICTURE BOOK CAMP FOR ME?
Picture Book Camp is for emerging and established illustrators and author-illustrators interested in picture books and book-based visual storytelling.
What matters most is your curiosity, your commitment to your practice, and your willingness to learn and make alongside other artists.
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You are an emerging or established illustrator or author-illustrator
You have been studying the art form and want to make a picture book of your own
You are currently making a picture book
You have tried to make a picture book and want fresh guidance
You have already made or published a picture book
You understand how challenging and rewarding picture book making can be
You love picture books and want to know more about how they are made
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Imagine yourself well-fed and focused, learning and completing workshop activities for six hours per day.
TUESDAY: Arrival Day
2pm ferry crossing with Island-side transport to art centre
Orientation
Welcome Dinner
WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY:
Artist-led Workshop Days 1-5Continental breakfast
3-hour Morning session
Hot lunch
3-hour Afternoon session
Family Style Dinner
Optional gathering/activity in the great room
MONDAY: Departure Day
Continental breakfast
9 -9:30am meet up at rendez-vous point for transport to ferry dock
Ferry crossing and farewells
Come ready to participate, explore, question, and make.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
$2,300 CAD* per week
What’s Included:
Five days of artist-led programming
Assigned workspace in a shared studio
Six nights of accommodation
Private bedroom with a double bed
Shared washroom facilities
Hearty, healthy meals: six continental breakfasts, five lunches, six communal dinners made by a local chef
Access to the kitchen, library, laundry, studios, and communal spaces
Transportation between the island-side ferry dock and the arts centre at the designated arrival and departure times
Welcome package
*Per attendee, plus applicable taxes
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Transportation to Toronto - We have two airports: Billy Bishop Airport and Pearson YYZ
Ferry fare [about $10 CAD round trip]
Personal art supplies
Your favourite snacks
Transportation outside the designated group arrival and departure times
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Should you need to cancel before the end of 2026, you will be eligible for a full refund (including deposit) provided we are able to fill your place. Should you need to cancel after January 1, 2027, you will be eligible for a refund (excluding deposit) provided we are able to fill your place.
In the event of Picture Book Camp illness or emergency, we may be required to make alterations to the schedule or team and you will be notified of any changes.
In the event of an unexpected and disruptive event beyond our control, where we may be forced to cancel the retreat, we will then offer an alternative date or full refund, if this happens before your stay. If anything occurs during your stay, you will not be entitled to a refund.
GIBRALTAR POINT
CENTRE FOR THE ARTS
A peaceful setting for focused creative work.
AMENITIES:
• Five shared studios
• Private bedrooms with bedding
• Shared washrooms
• Two communal rooms with a projector and fireplace
• Kitchen access
• A small library
• Laundry facilities
• An outdoor bonfire pit
• Parkland, shoreline, and winter island views
We leave the mainland for Toronto Island and set up camp in an old elementary school turned arts centre, just steps from the shores of Lake Ontario.
More than 100 years old, the Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts building was once a public elementary and science school. Its school-style layout, slightly child-sized sense of scale, art-filled hallways, shared studios, and small library make it especially well suited for picture book making.
The centre is surrounded by more than 46 acres of parkland, sits steps from the beach, and is located next to the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse.
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The shared spaces and studios may feel cooler than your home during the winter. Campers should come prepared with warm layers, a toque, slippers, and realistic expectations about the setting.
All meals are provided during your stay. You are encouraged to bring your favourite snacks, and any items you can’t live without. Once on the island there is nowhere to purchase groceries. There is a fully stocked vending machine in the kitchen and that’s about it. There is however a local resident who travels to the mainland and delivers groceries for a premium, on select days of the week.
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The Building is located on the southwestern tip of the island, placing it 40 minutes walking distance from the Ward’s Island Ferry Dock, the only ferry running during the winter. Transportation to and from the centre to the ferry dock will be provided for the designated group arrival and departure times only. Any other comings or goings from the island will be your responsibility. In case of emergency, there is a designated vehicle and driver on-site at all times.
For those selected, we will provide a suggested packing list for your week-long stay.
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Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts is not fully barrier-free, but it is considered a low-barrier space.
The venue is located primarily on one floor, with ramps providing access to the main rooms, however, the vehicle used to transport campers from the ferry dock is not an accessible vehicle.
Please contact the Picture Book Camp organizers before applying to discuss your specific access needs.
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Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts 443 Lakeshore Ave,Toronto,ON Canada
Accessible via Jack Layton Ferry Terminal located in downtown Toronto.
The ferry docks are located at the base of Bay Street and Queens Quay.
Access to the terminal is easy on foot and by public transit.
Nearby parking is very limited and costly.
From Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ)
15-20 minute walk along the waterfront, take the free shuttle or taxi. See detailed directions here.
From Pearson Airport (YYZ)
28-minute express train to Union station
From Union Station (VIA Rail, GO Train, TTC Public transit)
The Jack Layton Ferry terminal is serviced by the 509 and 510 streetcars that connect to Union Station, which in turn connects into the subway system. If you're arriving by a GO train or Via train you can easily walk from Union Station to the ferry terminal in 15 minutes at most - just walk south on Bay Street all the way to the lake.
HOW TO APPLY
Tell us about your work.
Picture Book Camp is application-based so that each group can remain focused, supportive, and aligned with the educational goals of the guest artist’s session.
Applicants will be asked to:
Tell us about your creative practice.
Explain why Picture Book Camp feels meaningful to you right now.
Share examples of visual storytelling.
Select your preferred guest artist session. You can indicate whether you are open to attending either week.
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Applications are reviewed with care by a small peer group based on this criteria:
Artistic Merit or Demonstrated Potential
The strength, originality, skill, or promise visible in the submitted work.Relevance
How well the applicant’s past work and current focus align with the educational goals of the workshop.Impact
The value the workshop may bring to the applicant’s practice and what they may contribute to the camp community. -
Picture Book Camp’s long term vision for 2028 and beyond is to run sessions with a number of subsidised slots to make this experience as accessible as possible. For the pilot program of Winter 2027, we are limited in our ability to support the individual cost. We encourage you to apply with a note about financial feasibility and to apply for personal art grants.
We welcome and encourage applicants (18+) of all backgrounds and identities to apply. Artists from historically underrepresented and equity deserving groups are especially welcome. You will not be required to disclose any personal information in the application form that you do not wish to share. Our goal is to select a group of participants who are focused, eager individuals with a diversity of life experiences and illustration practices. -
Applications Open - August 20
Applications Close - UPDATE: September 26
Applicants Notified - October 1
Deposit Due - October 15, 2026
Final Payment Due - January 29, 2027