Shantigar Foundation
in Western Massachusetts
Arts
Meditation
Nature
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Jean-Claude van Itallie, Founder
1936 - 2021
Welcome to Shantigar
Open your Eyes & Mind
“My art is an attempt to reach beyond the surface appearance. I want to see growth in wood and time in stone.”
—Andy Goldsworthy, Land Artist
A recent article in the New York Times affirms what we offer at Shantigar.
"A Double Dose of Brain Benefits" (Jancee Dunn, 6/25/2026) encourages us to log off, go outside, and connect to the natural world through art. For British artist Andy Goldsworthy, natural stuff like bark, lichen, and stones is the source of inspiration, "if you actually open your eyes and mind to what's there."
Research shows that making art reduces stress and improves well-being. Making art in nature doubles those benefits. Try a design with twigs or deadheaded flowers. Stack rocks in a pleasing way. Relax and be present. This is what our late founder Jean-Claude van Itallie envisioned when he crafted Shantigar's mission:
Joining meditative and artistic practices with
the healing power of nature,
we can live more peacefully on the planet.
Join us at Shantigar for creative nourishment, contemplative practice, and immersion in glorious nature. Start with this brief video from Jean-Claude: "Let the Flowers Look at You."
Summer Programs
Join us for a Book Talk with landscape designer Owen Wormser on July 25th at the Charlemont Federated Church. Owen will share practical wisdom from his award-winning book, Lawns into Meadows: Creating a Regenerative Landscape.
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Owen is helping Shantigar turn two fields into meadows, populated by native grasses and wildflowers. These beautiful, low-maintenance meadows will attract pollinators and birds, resist weather extremes, and sequester carbon. We look forward to sharing our progress!
Beloved voice teacher Jonathan Hart Makwaia returns in late August to teach Voice and Music, a weekend workshop exploring the deep connection between the imagination and vocal expression.
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For an interview with Jonathan about the Roy Hart Theatre approach to musical expression: https://centreroyhart.org/resources/so-much-more-than-music/
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As always, Shantigar offers weekly Chi Kung with John Meyer at the farmhouse and monthly Theatre Conversations online with Rosemary Quinn.
​Warm regards,
Board Members—Connie Childs, Rand Engel, Didi Goldenhar, Deb Katz, Rosemary Quinn
Advisory Board Members—Josh Adler, Michael Schreiber, Marisa Viola
​​A Place for Reflection & Renewal
Shantigar = Peaceful Home
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Shantigar, located on a former dairy farm in Western Massachusetts, is a nonprofit foundation rooted in the mission—
Joining meditative and artistic practices
with the healing power of nature,
we can live more peacefully on the planet
​
Shantigar was founded by the late playwright Jean-Claude van Itallie in the 1990’s. The farm had been purchased by his family when he was a small child, soon after their refugee journey from Belgium during WW2.
Jean-Claude envisioned Shantigar as a place where the arts, contemplative practice, and nature would meet, saturated in the splendor of these hills, fields, and forests.​
Over many years, he hosted a stellar roster of theatre artists, dancers, musicians, painters, writers, activists, and spiritual teachers. His Tibetan Buddhist teacher, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, wrote his Shambala teachings here and named the farm Shantigar, meaning Peaceful Home.
Since Jean-Claude’s passing in 2021, the Board and Advisors have been devoted to his vision of Shantigar as a benevolent hive for creativity, friendship, and soul-stirring experiences.
Shantigar is ideal for group gatherings. Writers, performers, and artists cultivate new work. Students grow ideas and relationships, unplugged from digital buzz. Teachers, leaders, and healers explore what matters, meditate together, and plot next steps.
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Our farmhouse and cabins house 10-20 people (depending on occupancy). Meeting spaces include a movement studio, living room, library, and two kitchens. Enjoy walking trails though fields and forests with swimming close by at Pelham Lake.
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Learn more about rentals: https://www.shantigar.org/rentals
"Being here feels like a portal to a different world.
I came with creative roadblocks, and this experience inspired me to be my true self, to not be afraid of what life has to offer."
—Julian, Young People's Project
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​Shantigar recently received a matching grant of $5000 for repairs on the farmhouse and maintenance of our fields and public hiking trails. Donations of any amount will help meet the match. Thank you!
Shantigar's Mission
To engage with the world from a more profound place through transformative workshops, retreats and performances.
Joining meditative and artistic practices with the healing power of nature, we can live more peacefully on our planet.
