It’s not big at all, it’s small.

Make some friends in this tight knit gathering, as space is limited to about 20 students and no more than 30.

• Painting Lessons

• A Sound Bath!

• Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten Free Cooking Classes (there will be no meat at this retreat)

• Meditation

• Yoga

• Pilates Classes

• Tai-Chi Movements based in Martial Arts

• Professional Massages by a Licensed Massage Therapist! (additional $)

• Nature Walks

• Sketching Instruction

• Live Music, Singer-Songwriter (small amount)

• Music Jamming if you have your own instrument

• Meet a mini-community and make friends

• Manicures by a licensed manicurist (additional $)

• Herbalism demo

• Short Lectures on mental health (while participating in another activity like art)

• Dancing of some kind (perhaps Flow Arts)

• Papermaking

• Bookbinding

• Poetry Class, Reading and Sharing

• Potentially guitar lessons

We will have full days of learning and relaxing on Sat. and Sun. Oct 25th & 26th, however we will also have some optional evening classes during the week on Thursday and Friday.

The full details of the schedule can be found at this link by clicking here. Or click her to download the schedule.

One of the main goals for this retreat is for it to be affordable and within the reach of the average person.

Our base price is $150 which is significantly lower than the average retreat.

• $150 includes everything on Sat. and Sun.

• With add-on prices for Thurs. and Friday as low as $20.

• As well as an extra cost for massages and manicures. This allows those who can afford more to contribute more.

The way we are able to keep this retreat affordable is by not making profit our priority.

Our main expenses are food, art supplies, and paying our instructors.

Furthermore, we're able to keep this retreat affordable by its location. As many retreats require travel expenses, this one is marketed to our little hometown of Salem Virginia and the surrounding areas.

Since you’re nearby, you can either drive up to the retreat each day, or camp for free!

• There are two rooms available for rent.

• However, there is endless space at no additional cost, if you'd like to stay the night in a tent.

• And we encourage all of our students to stay the night for the most in-depth and true immersion into nature!

Although the instructors are being paid their desired rate, tipping your instructors is highly encouraged (bring some cash with you)

Our Art Lessons:

• Sketching nature

• Watercolor and Wax Painting

• Drawing and Painting Mandalas

• Acrylic painting

• Mixing Skin Tones

• Composition on Movement

• Getting into the Flow

• Color-wheel, color-harmony, and color-schemes

• Value and Contract

• Drawing and sketching the human figure (no nudity of live subjects but you are not limited in your own creation)

• Mixed Media

• Papermaking

• Bookbinding

Other:

• Tai-Chi Movements based in Martial Arts

• Dancing (hoping for Flow Arts)

• Cooking and preparing nutritional rich meals

• Music, potentially guitar lessons

Art in all its forms is our main focus.

However, there will be an almost-equal emphasis on mental health and maintaining a healthy body through nutritional rich - plant based meals.

Although some of our topics may seem spiritual (such as meditation, Yoga, and Tai-Chi) this retreat focuses on mental health and will not be delving into any spiritual topics, philosophies, or viewpoints.

Our Psychological Topics:

• Breathing 

• Calmness 

• Focusing 

• Surrender 

• Humility 

• Gratitude 

• Grounded 

• Kindness 

• Loving

Our Art Lessons:

• Sketching nature

• Watercolor and Wax Painting

• Drawing and Painting Mandalas

• Acrylic painting

• Mixing Skin Tones

• Composition on Movement

• Getting into the Flow

• Color-wheel, color-harmony, and color-schemes

• Value and Contract

• Drawing and sketching the human figure (no nudity of live subjects but you are not limited in your own creation)

• Mixed Media

• Papermaking

• Bookbinding

This multi-day “day-retreat” is only a few miles from Salem Mainstreet, and yet it’s tucked up in the holler of a mountain at a private residence. This is where Matilda grew up and was married.

Since this is a day retreat, you can arrive each day without having to sleep over. If you choose, there will be Free primitive camping available with access to a shared bathroom, shower, and kitchen. There will be 2 rooms available (with a shared bathroom and shared kitchen) for a few nights stay with a free healthy breakfast.

Food and art supplies will be provided for our art and cooking classes. And most everything else will already be taken care of for you.

However you will want to bring:

• Snacks (must bring)

• A sketchbook (must bring)

• An easel (Highly suggested, yet optional)

• If you join us Thursday, pack dinner or eat prior to arrival.

• Everything you need to camp. Check out this “Camping Checklist” by clicking here.

• Local Firewood (must be locally sourced)(optional)

• Bring Friends! (They do need to register)

• Instrument (optional)

• We are welcoming all genders at this co-ed retreat!

• Welcoming Beginners and Advanced Artists of all Skill Levels

• We are welcoming Adults and Teens. Respectful Children may come with full supervision - one on one (i.e. one Child per one Adult). Specific Children’s activities are not provided or programed but they are welcome to participate in class along side the adults.

• The main thing for you to know is that you will most likely be parking on grass and turn around space will be tight.

• Phones are to be kept on silent 100% of the time. It is highly encouraged to keep your phone out of sight of other students at all times. As well as out of your own sight. Best left out of reach. (Matilda hopes to follow suite, although she may need to que up music from time to time, regardless she plans on doing this privately out of sight.

• You are highly encouraged to stay the night for the most in-depth and true immersion into nature! Camping is FREE!

• Please tip your instructors as some are either volunteering or partially volunteering with partial pay.

• This retreat location is beautiful but it is not perfect, it has its quirks and the landscaping is not pristine.

• Although we will have many instructors, the majority (if not all) of the art classes will be taught by Matilda Wentzel

Only a few miles from Salem Mainstreet, you’ll find our retreat location tucked up in the holler of a mountain at a private residence. This is where Matilda grew up and was married.

Exact location to be disclosed to registered students. But we will tell you it’s on the Salem side of 12 O'clock Mountain (no worries, it’s low on the road, you won’t have to drive up that windy road)