ART IS LOVE RETREAT 2024
APRIL 30-MAY 5, 2024
A Celebration of Creativity + Community
with Jessica Swift, Lori Siebert, and Carrie Schmitt
WHAT IS THE ART IS LOVE RETREAT?
This 6 day and 5 night retreat is designed to transform your relationship with creativity to one that gives you joy and confidence while making connections with other open-hearted women.
It is packed with activities to nurture your creative heart – art making, soul connections with others, private and shared reflection, open studio time, relaxation, art and business mentoring, and much more!
WHY attend art is love?
This retreat is intentionally designed to give you plenty of instruction and time to paint, receive special attention you deserve, benefit from sharing with kindreds during our special breakout sessions, and enjoy time to relax.
In addition to several professional artists guiding you thru art lessons from start to finish, our final day is an open studio to give you an opportunity to paint and ask questions as you work.
We have relaxing and entertaining evening activities such as a soothing sound bath, joyful song circle, open mic and poetry night, and more.
AT THIS RETREAT WE WILL:
- Create art for all levels of experience that is personal, soulful, and meaningful
- Be guided from start to finish on 3 art projects plus a bonus open studio day together
- Learn techniques and insights from 3 professional artists with a combined total of over 65 years of art experience
- Benefit from individualized attention and a small group environment
- Learn a loving approach to creativity that connects us to our joy
- Have a inspiring theme each day that deepens our relationship with our creativity, ourselves, and each other
- Share reflections and stories with each other
- Meet in small groups for heartfelt conversations
- Have opportunities for yoga, gentle movement, meditation, and more
- Enjoy a special photoshoot together with a professional photographer
- Have options for campfires and song circles
- Enjoy a relaxing sound bath
- Enjoy open studio time to ask process questions as you work
- Have free time to explore nature, swim, kayak or paddleboard on the lake
- Find inspiration from the beautiful setting of towering evergreens, moss, ferns, and water that the Pacific Northwest is famous for
- Ask questions that are art-related or business-related to the instructors
- Enjoy healthy delicious meals prepared by professional chefs
- Priceless memories and the potential for lifelong friendships and spiritual growth
- And other surprises!
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Housing for 6 days and 5 nights at a historic venue on a private wooded setting on a lake
- All meals (14 total), snacks, tea, and coffee
- Instruction and advice from 3 professional art teachers
- Q and A session for your art and biz questions
- Networking with fellow participants and resource sharing
- Opportunities to share your art, writing, reflections, and stories
- Professional Goddess Photo Shoot
- Sound Bath by professional musician
- Guided Song Circle Celebration
- Poetry readings and Open Mic Night
- Access to lake with kayaks and paddleboards
- Swag Bag and Gifts
- Optional yoga and meditation
- Optional guided cold plunging
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Art supplies (List will be sent after registration)
- Transportation to and from retreat center
- Travel expenses
RADIANT RAINBOWS + BLESSINGS
WITH JESSICA SWIFT
FINDING YOUR WINGS
MIXED MEDIA ASSEMBLAGE WITH LORI SIEBERT
AWAKEN YOUR CREATIVE SPIRIT
WITH CARRIE SCHMITT
We will create our own personal goddess archetype based on what we wish to call into our own lives and embody. We will create designs on paper with paint and then use these as inspiration to paint a wooden goddess statue (provided) to remind us of own Creative Spirit that lives within us and longs for expression each day.
BOOK YOUR RESERVATION TODAY:
Early Bird Registration: $2695 (Ends September 1st)
(Regular Price: $2895)
Installment payment options available.
Click below for the Retreat with Standard Housing (No additional fee. Your own bed in a shared Room with 1 roommate.)
Click below for the Retreat with Housing Upgrade: Private Cabin for up to 2 guests (Additional Fee. Only one available!)
If you are blessed with abundance, please consider donating to the Art is Love Scholarship Fund to make someone's dream come true to attend this event. Everyone deserves this life-affirming experience! Thank you for your generosity and for making a difference in someone's life!
Any amount helps and 100 percent will go toward scholarships for attendees in need of financial assistance.
LORI SIEBERT
Lori now works with several top manufactures in the gift and home decor industry, including Demdaco, Creative Co-op, Studio M, Lang. She is also the co- founder of ArtBizJam, which provides helpful business tips and networking opportunities for women artists and she hosts and teaches at several creative retreats each year. You can find Lori on her website at www.lorisiebert.com and follow her on Instagram at @lorisiebert.studio.
JESSICA SWIFT
As a child, Jessica Swift sported a nearly-permanent Crayola marker stain on her left arm, from pinky to elbow. She grew up and, naturally, became an artist. Jessica creates colorful, uplifting artwork and manufactures her own products in her studio in Portland, Oregon. She also collaborates with inspiring companies and publishers to create branded products such as fabric, stationery, puzzles, books, and more.
She’s the author of 3 books and teaches online classes on topics including pattern design, color, and intuitive art-making. Two rambunctious, creative young children call her mama. You can find Jessica on her website at www.jessicaswift.com and follow her on Instagram @jessicaswift
CARRIE SCHMITT
Carrie licenses her art fro products, including stationary, home decor, clothing, and more. She has written several books, including The Story of Every Flower, a 10 year celebration of her journey as an artist. Here picture book A Flower in Her Heart: The True Story of an Artist Who Bloomed, won the Mom’s Choice Award in 2022.
ABOUT GWINWOOD RETREAT CENTER
It is rustic, but oh so sweet! This nostalgic camp invites us to embrace a simpler time when people didn’t have all the big box stores and Amazon to fulfill all our extravagant things. The lodging is bare bones and simple, intentionally designed to make nature center stage and give us space to breathe.
Expect simple rooms with little to no decor, almost monk-like. I see this as a chance to shed the non-essentials to feel the quiet presence of the Spirit within and remind ourselves of how little we need to feel fulfilled when our Creativity is nourished.
This historic treasure features a private campus in a beautiful wooded setting with mature growth, towering evergreen trees, and a pristine lake.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, APRIL 30th
3pm – Arrive
5pm – Dinner
6pm – Opening Circle
7pm – Social Hour
8pm – Free Time
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1st
THEME: ART AS SELF-HEALING
Until 8am: Optional Yoga, Meditation, Cold Plunge
8am – Breakfast
9am – Opening Circle
10am to noon – Art Lesson led by Jessica Swift
Noon to 1pm – Lunch
1pm to 3:30pm – Art lesson continued
3:30pm to 5:30pm – Free Time
5:30pm – Dinner
6:30pm – Circle Share
7:00pm – Fishbowl Q + A: Ask Jess, Lori and Carrie questions about art, biz, or life!
8:00pm – Free Time
THURSDAY, MAY 2nd
THEME: FINDING YOUR WINGS
Until 8am: Optional Yoga, Meditation, Cold Plunge
8am – Breakfast
9am – Opening Circle: Reflection
10am to noon – Art Lesson led by Lori Siebert
Noon to 1pm – Lunch
1pm to 3:30pm – More art with Lori
3:30pm to 5:30pm – Free Time
5:30pm – Dinner
6:30pm – Circle Share
7:00pm – Sound Bath
8:00pm – Free Time
FRIDAY, MAY 3rd
THEME: BIRTH THE GODDESS WITHIN
Until 8am – Optional Yoga, Meditation, Cold Plunge
8:00am – Breakfast
9am – Opening Circle
10am to noon – Art Lesson led by Carrie Schmitt
Noon to 1pm – Lunch
1pm to 3:30pm – Art
3:30pm to 5:30pm – Free Time
5:30pm – Dinner
6:30pm – Circle Share
7:00pm – Poetry Readings and Open Mic night
8:00pm – Free Time
SATURDAY, MAY 4th
THEME: TAKING TIME TO ABSORB + INTEGRATE
Until 8am: Optional Yoga, Meditation, Cold Plunge
8am – Breakfast
9am – Opening Circle
10am to noon – Open Studio with Option for Instruction and feedback
Noon to 1pm – Lunch
1pm to 2pm – Circle Time
2pm to 5pm – Free Time
5:00pm – Goddess Photo Shoot
6pm – Dinner
7pm – Song and Celebration
SUNDAY, MAY 5th
8am – Breakfast
9am – Closing Circle
10am – Pack
Noon – Checkout
HOUSING OPTIONS:
- Stay in housing on campus. This is a shared room with one roommate. You will each have your own single or double bed. Shared bathrooms. This is included with your tuition so there is no additional cost when you choose this option.
- Rent the Directors Cabin with private bath on campus for up to two guests. Additional total is $900 (You can split with a friend.)
- Stay off-site at AirBnbs or hotel.
For a list of nearby AirBnb rentals, click here: https://www.airbnb.com/wishlists/1320763518
For a list of nearby hotels, click here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-958549-Lacey_Washington-Hotels.html
(Check how far these are from the Gwinwood Retreat Center before booking.)
LOCATION + TRAVEL INFO:
The address to use for GPS is:
6015 30th Ave SE
Lacey, WA 98503
DRIVING TIMES (Approximate)
Olympia, WA: 10 min
Tacoma, WA: 30 min
Seattle, WA: 1hr 20min
Portland, OR: 2hr
CLOSEST AIRPORTS
We are about an hour from Seattle-Tacoma, International Airport and about two hours from Portland Airport.
TRANSPORTATION TO + FROM AIRPORT
There are several options to get to and from SEATAC airport, including bus, train, and car rental.
For the most up-to-date options, visit this site.
https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Lacey/SeaTac#:~:text=The%20cheapest%20way%20to%20get%2
0from%20Lacey%20to%20SeaTac%20is,%24190%20and%20takes%2054%20min
IS CARPOOLING AND RIDE-SHARING AVAILABLE?
All registered participants can join a private Facebook group to ask questions, meet fellow retreat goers, and arrange carpooling or ridesharing prior to the retreat.
FAQs
Do I need prior art experience to attend?
All levels of experience are welcome. These projects are designed for beginners to advanced levels.
What are the payment options? How do I sign up?
Sign up now to get our Early Bird rate for a limited time only.
You can pay in full or set up a payment plan of 3 or 12 monthly installments when checking out.
There are multiple housing options.
* Standard housing is included in your registration fee at no additional cost. You have your own bed in a shared room with one roommate. Shared bathrooms. You can request who you’d like to room with, and we will do our best to accommodate all requests.
* One private cabin with a private bath for up to two guests is available for an additional fee.
* You can also reserve housing off-site at a hotel or AirBnb.
After registration, you can schedule a call with Carrie to confirm your housing plan and to go over any questions you have!
Do I need a car during the retreat?
What if I have food allergies/restrictions?
What's the weather like? What should I wear?
Can I share a room with a friend or friends?
What is your refund policy?
Should I get travel insurance?
What supplies do I need?
Can I ship my art supplies ahead of time?
Address your box clearly to:
Your Name
c/o Carrie Schmitt Design
214 Cedar Street
Steilacoom, WA 98388
If you would like to have items shipped back to you after the retreat, all boxes must be packed and ready to go with a PAID return label. We recommend printing your return label prior to arrival.
BOOK YOUR RESERVATION TODAY:
Early Bird Registration: $2695 (Ends September 1st)
(Regular Price: $2895)
Installment payment options available.
Click below for the Retreat with Standard Housing (No additional fee. Your own bed in a shared Room with 1 roommate.)
Click below for the Retreat with Housing Upgrade: Private Cabin for up to 2 guests (Additional Fee. Only one available!)
If you are blessed with abundance, please consider donating to the Art is Love Scholarship Fund to make someone's dream come true to attend this event. Everyone deserves this life-affirming experience! Thank you for your generosity and for making a difference in someone's life!
Any amount helps and 100 percent will go toward scholarships for attendees in need of financial assistance.
Testimonials from Past Retreats:
“When I spoke to my daughter on the phone during the retreat, she said that seeing me take time to care for myself started a healing in her.
Our lives were difficult when she was a child and seeing me take measures to improve my wellbeing has given her permission to be happy and follow her dreams as well. She had no idea she even needed to see that in me. So I would hope that any other woman reading this will see that taking time for yourself isn’t selfish and may actually help to being the healing process for those most dear to you.”
– KRISTIN
“I am so moved by the community of women supporting women, of hope and love and creativity.
I will hold this week in my heart, and draw on it for strengthe, direction, and spirit,. My new healing journey is under way, and I look forward to growing and learning to love and let go and to trust the universe.”
– TRACEY
“Three years ago, I was down in the dumps with a health crisis. I lost the urge to paint. No interest, because there was no joy.
One day I heard about an intuitive painting technique taught by Carrie Schmitt. I t seemed more approachable, liberating and totally different than my usual ways. My interest was peaked, and I had nothing to lose. I tried it an this happy piece of lightness came to be, despite the darkness. So began my healing and return to art. I discovered that there was still beauty inside me and the joy was just buried temporarily.”
– STEPHANIE
“I fell in love with Carrie the very first time I saw her art!
It was so beautiful and I could literally feel the love and joy. I wanted to know how she did it!! I jumped at the chance to go on retreat with her and it was the trip of a lifetime. Carrie has a special gift of seeing the sacred in everything and everybody and she takes great care to create a loving environment in which the creative spirit can flow through you! Be prepared to do way more than paint! If you have a chance to go on retreat with Carrie it will renew your body and soul and propel your art forward! It definitely did that for me!”
– SHERRI
