In this retreat we will invite the Muses to join us as we play, experiment and create one of a kind mixed media backgrounds and embellishments to use on our SoulCollage® cards or in our visual journals.
We will explore the Archetype of the Muse, and uncover what our own Muse needs from us to express itself more fully in the world as we create SoulCollage® cards to honor the creative parts of ourselves as well as those parts that prevent us from fully embodying our Artist self.
In this retreat we will also talk about creative rituals that can support our creative practice, so we return home with some practical ways of implementing a creative play date with our Muse on a regular basis.
“The primary function of the Muses is to reveal how our authenticity and creativity can support the evolutionary process and spiritual needs of our time.”
Creative techniques will include gelli printing, watercolor, rubbings, scratch art, creating with shapes, embossing, using gold and silver papers and tape, drawing, transfers, and more. All these techniques can be used as components of your SoulCollage® cards or in your visual journal.
The Artist Archetype works with the alchemy of transformation by taking raw materials and turning them into something new. These are times that call for rethinking old ways and imagining new ways of doing and being, and the Archetypes of Creativity and Imagination can lead us to find answers to questions we did not even know we were asking.
“ … an “artist” is one who feels a need to “make” beyond necessity, to recombine what is given into new forms, and to create something extraordinary out of the ordinary.”
The artist bridges the inner and outer worlds and can bring a vision to life that is needed in the world. The Archetypes of Creativity and Imagination help us access our imaginations and create what never existed before.
Often we have been taught to repress our creative instincts and our Inner Critic, Perfectionist or Judge speak out loudly when we venture into creative realms. In this retreat you will be supported and encouraged to play, experiment and make mistakes which are just alternate ways of learning. We will make SoulCollage® cards to support our creative process, as well as permission slips to use when our critical voice makes itself known.
“The way of the mystic and the way of the artist are very much alike, except that the mystic doesn’t have a craft.”
Each participant will receive a kit containing:
Your own 8x10 gelli plate to take home with you as well as a brayer so you can continue making gelli prints after you get home
12 cards and clearbags to make SoulCollage® cards to support your creative process
Scratch art papers
Gold and silver papers
A set of creativity quotes
A paper labyrinth
And lots of surprises!
In addition to your kit all the supplies you need to create will be supplied, including an abundance of collage images, paints for the gelli plate process, a wonderful collection of stencils and more.
“Play is the taproot from which original art springs.”
The pace of this retreat will be spacious with time to engage in stillness and meditation and embrace the natural surroundings as you walk one of the outdoor labyrinths at the center, or wander along the trails through the woods. You can download a copy of our schedule here.
The retreat center has a beautiful bookstore and we will also have a “pop-up shop” on our last night together so if you make things, bring them along with you to have on display. Part of the creative process is sharing what we make!
“What if imagination and art are not frosting at all, but the fountainhead of human experience?”
VENUE
This retreat will be held at the beautiful St Francis Springs Prayer Center. 477 Grogan Road, Stoneville, NC, which is about 30 miles north of Greensboro, NC. The closest airport is Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO). The Center is situate on 140 acres of peaceful wooded land and has a labyrinth based on the Chartres pattern as well as a five-circuit classical labyrinth in the woods.
You can arrive at the Retreat Center any time after 3pm on Sunday to check-in to your room, and we will officially start after dinner which is served at 6pm. We will end after lunch on the last day. Lunch is served at 12.30pm.
“Our work embodies a higher purpose. Whether we know it or not, we’re a conduit for the universe.”
COST
The cost of this five day, four night retreat which includes accommodation in a single room with private bathroom, all meals, snacks and an abundance of art supplies including your own personal art supply kit is $1,395.00 per person. If you would prefer to share a room with a friend, the cost is $1,125.00 per person. Please let Catherine know the name of your roommate.
Payment is as follows:
A non-refundable admin fee/deposit of $145 is required to register for the retreat. REGISTER HERE
A second payment of $550 by December 16th, 2024 as the Retreat Center requires confirmation and payment for accommodation two months ahead of the retreat start date.
The balance of $700 for a single room or $430 for a shared room is due on or before January 27th, 2025.
There is a discount of $50 available if you pay your second payment and balance by check or by Zelle. You are welcome to make part-payments towards the retreat anytime you wish.
There is also a returning participant discount of $50 for participants who attended a retreat with Catherine in 2024.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Should it be necessary for you to cancel your participation in this retreat you will be refunded the retreat costs less the non-refundable deposit and any accommodation fees already due and paid to the retreat center, provided your cancellation is made on or before January 27th, 2025. You are also welcome to find someone to take your place in the retreat. If you do not wish to self-insure, it is highly recommended that you take out a travel insurance policy to cover your cancellation due to unexpected events such as flight cancellations and illness.
Should Catherine need to cancel this retreat for any reason, you will be refunded amounts paid to Catherine for this retreat. Catherine will send registrants a full refund of all monies paid within seven days of notification of cancellation, and accepts no additional liability for travel costs or any other additional costs incurred.