Two full days, four creative workshops, unlimited opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in comfort!
Join us for an inspiring weekend designed to cultivate your nature based art and craft skills in the great outdoors. This wonderful weekend-long retreat focuses on connection to the natural world through thoughtful observation and professional guidance. Get your creativity flowing on our scenic property. Enjoy comfortable tent accommodations, hiking trails perfect for forest bathing, and food picked fresh from our guest garden affectionately called ‘The Salad Bar’. Featuring daily guided walks and workshops with practising artists plus, plenty of time to make art, explore and discover a renewed connection to nature.

Join Chloe Roberts of Boneyard Revival, and learn visible mending techniques and transform old textiles into stunning new creations. Originally from England, Chloe emigrated to Canada in 2019 and launched a career in upcycling aimed at bridging the gap between consumers, the harsh realities of fast fashion, and the unethical environments in which garment workers toil. With creativity and innovation, she transforms discarded textiles into unique, meaningful creations, demonstrating the powerful potential of repurposing waste. Bring a garment in need of repair. Supplies and notions included.

With Lauren Shae, a local watercolour artist, learn how to paint a watercolour landscape inspired by the beautiful scenery that surrounds our retreat! You will learn fundamental watercolour techniques, how to create a sense of distance, and tips for painting outdoors. This workshop is perfect for both beginners and experienced artists who are interested in learning new skills and having fun with art! (All materials will be provided, if you have our own set of watercolour paints you would like to use you are welcome to bring them.)

Learn to imprint with locally grown plant materials with local fibre artist, Tracy Fillion. Learn about dye gardens and ethical foraging too. Tracy Fillion of We Are Stories, is a textile artist based in Nelson BC, her main focus on weaving and plant dyeing. Drawing inspiration from her natural surroundings, she translates the beauty of the landscape into functional, utilitarian pieces. Her work has been showcased and sold in major North American cities and reflects her deep commitment to sustainability. All materials and supplies included.

Solita Work, co-owner of Bear Springs, is also an artist and designer. Her creative skills are diverse and range from watercolour painting and wood burning to cooking and gardening. She loves the outdoors and is passionate about sustainable living. Recently, she has been experimenting with local foraged, sustainably harvested, compostable materials eliminating waste entirely from the creative process. Floral arranging is no exception. Learn basic plant identification and uses, ethical foraging practices and zero waste techniques for healthy floral design. All materials and flowers included. Take home a beautiful bouquet.
This retreat will leave you feeling inspired and energized with a renewed sense of connection to the stunning natural beauty surrounding us right here in the West Kootenays!
$40 PER WORKSHOP | $150 FOR ALL FOUR | ADD LUNCH $15 PER PERSON PER DAY
Book our accommodations at a discounted rate when you sign up for all four workshops. Guests pay at check-in when staying with us. If booking glamping accommodations for this retreat, please let us know in the notes. A 15% discount will be applied.
Friday
Arrive by 4 pm to get settled in your tent and explore our property!
Help yourself to delicious fresh vegetables and herbs in the guest garden.
Artist Retreat meet & greet plus potluck at 6 pm. Bring something to share.
Watch the sun set and the stars appear with a campfire to end the evening.
Saturday
8:00 am Breakfast/ free time
9:00 am Farm Tour
10:00am Visible Mending Workshop (bring a fabric garment in need of repair)
12:00 pm Lunch (add lunch, $15 per person from Sprout, menu TBA)
1:00 pm Plein Air Painting Workshop
4:00 pm Guided Forest Walk/Plant Foraging
6:00 pm Dinner/ Free time, enjoy the property. (Add a meal kit to your stay)
Sunday
9:00 am Breakfast/ free time
10:00am Botanical Fabric Dying Workshop
12:00 pm Lunch (add lunch, $15 per person from Sprout, menu TBA)
1:00 pm Flower Arranging Workshop
4:00 pm Art Show in the Barn. Everyone is encouraged to participate!
5:00 pm Closing Remarks