When I was younger, only two things mattered on a vacation: sun and my proximity to the beach. Back in those days, my biggest stressors weren’t raising teen boys or building a creative empire, which meant time off was less about restoration and more about indulgence. As I’ve matured, I’ve come to realize that taking time away is necessary to my creativity and, moreover, an opportunity for me to connect with different parts of myself. I came back from hosting my first retreat feeling more fulfilled, fired up, and joyful than I had in years. It was then that I knew I had to spread the word: art retreats are the vacations people need to be taking!
I know what you’re going to say because I’ve heard it hundreds (yes, seriously) of times.
“I’m not an artist.”
“I’m not creative.”
“Why would I want to spend a week painting?”
Here’s the thing, though…
It’s not about the art.
Art is just a conduit for our inner self to speak out. It’s a way for us to connect with our instincts, to learn to trust ourselves, to communicate without words. Something magical at an art retreats. There’s a special sort of bond that forms when you’re doing that while surrounded by dozens of women who are also opening up, being vulnerable, and putting all those instincts on the canvas. Each retreat is like a cocoon for our best selves, allowing us to emerge more colorful, more beautiful, and more confident than when we arrived.
Art Retreats: The Best Girls Trip You’ve Never Taken
Girls Trip Itinerary
My last art retreat took me to the southern coast of Texas, along the Gulf of Mexico, to a little town called Galveston. I love to choose small, artsy towns filled with creativity, restaurants, and lots of fun shopping opportunities.
Here’s a little taste of the itinerary, so you can see all the fun we got up to:
Monday
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Check in at the hotel.
4:00 pm – 6:30 pm – Meet & greet with all the retreat attendees.
6:30 pm – Leave for dinner – You can join fellow retreat attendees for a night on the town or plan your own adventure!
Tuesday
10:00 am to 11:30 am – Meet retreat leaders to talk all things creative including processes and group exercises #COURAGETALK
11:30 to 1:00 pm – Leave for lunch.
1:00 pm to 5:30 pm – Group painting with Dionne teaching on canvas at the Clay Cup in downtown Galveston
6:00 pm – Group Dinner
8:30 pm to 10:00 pm – Meet on the beach for a night of mindset exercises and an encouraging fireside #HEARTTALK
Wednesday
10:00 am to 11:30 pm – Explore ‘The Strand’ for shopping and site-seeing
11:30 pm to 1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm to 5:30 pm – Meet back at the Clay Cup for group intuitive painting & art exercises with Kelly Wiler & Dionne Woods
6:00 pm – Dinner – as a group or on your own!
8:30 pm – 10:00 pm – Dessert & dancing on the beach!
Thursday
10:00- 11:30 am – Share & Tell with group
11:30 – 1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 – 5:30 pm – Group painting with Dionne teaching on canvas at the Clay Cup in downtown Galveston
6:00 pm – Dinner – as a group or on your own!
8:30 pm – Bonfire and dessert on the beach.
Friday
9:30 am – 11:00 am – Share & tell with the whole group
11:00 am – Checkout and say our goodbyes xoxo
Why Art Retreats are the Perfect Girls Trip
Curated Experiences Done for You
I don’t know about you, but when it comes to girls trips there’s nothing I hate more than the daily argument about what activities should be done each day… except maybe when someone decides that their opinion is the only one that matters and creates an inflexible daily schedule the whole group is expected to follow.
Cue: art retreats. Each day of our itinerary is a careful balance between free time, creative time, and time to connect with other attendees. You’ll never have to wonder what the plan for each day is because it’s all laid out for you, with the opportunity to add additional experiences as you see fit!
Unbreakable Bonds
You know what’s better than spending a week making new friends, new memories, and new art? Doing it with your favorite people by your side. Whether you’ve known each other a lifetime or you’re connecting over a shared friend or interest, attending an art retreat with the people you care about is one of the best bonding experiences you’ll ever have! Not only that but, together, you’ll form tons of new friendships with people from all over the country and all walks of life and hear stories that challenge your perspective.
Bring Your Best Self Home
I can’t be the only one who thinks that the vacation version of myself is the best version, right? The problem is that, as soon as I return to the daily grind at home, I find myself falling into old habits. But the goal of my art retreats is to help you connect with the instinctive, creative part of yourself so that you can’t lose her on the trip home.
Art Retreat Review: The Girls Trip of a Lifetime
Want to know what previous attendees have said about my retreats? Check out a recap over on The Turquoise Iris to read their reviews.
Plan Your Next Girls Trip!
Visit my website to secure your tickets before spots fill up.
You can also find a full write-up on all my girls trip ideas in the summer issue of The Turquoise Iris Journal. Subscribe now!
