Many of us harbor dreams of being the next Georgia O'Keefe or Joyce Carol Oates. Why not live your dream at an art workshop or writer's retreat?
Some retreats are for amateurs just testing their skills; others are for those more serious about their craft, who need a nurturing environment to work and learn. Whatever your level of commitment, there is a workshop or retreat for you.
Carmel, California
Artista Creative Safaris – Their motto is "We make girls out of women" – the goal of Artista Creative Safaris is to learn and practice your craft in a casual, creative environment (you can even bring your dog!)
You can take a week-long art workshop in Abstract Painting, Encaustic (hot wax) painting, and Fashion Design. Yoga is also a part of the program; massage and spa treatments are available separately.
Umbria, Italy
Dreams Academy for Women offers retreats for "creative entrepreneurs" in beautiful central Italy. Designed for "Women entrepreneurs who wish to recharge their creativity, regain perspective on their lives and businesses, build alliances with other creative women and experience an immersion in the culture and beauty of Central Italy", the week-long retreats are held periodically throughout the year.
New York City and Europe
Creativity Workshop – Creative writing, memoir, art, and storytelling – holds full-week workshops in New York, Crete, Barcelona, Florence, and Carmel, California. The goal of the workshop is to explore and "exercise" your creativity, whether it be in life, writing, art, business, education, performing, or the visual arts. Working with students of all experience levels, the workshops are intended to get the creative juices flowing, and to nurture and focus your creative energy. People from all over the world and from all disciplines attend.
There is plenty of time to get to know the inspiring locations of the workshop settings and to make new traveling friends. You will come out of the workshop relaxed, rejuvenated, and with techniques to make you more productive and confident about your creative abilities.
Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin
Dillman's Bay Resort and Workshops – Located in the serene north woods of Wisconsin, Dillman's Bay Resort and Workshops offers week-long summer art workshops in a variety of disciplines. Instructors specialize in acrylics, watercolors, oils, pastels, and photography. The resort boasts a marina with water activities to relax after your working session, and there are workshops and activities for kids as well as adults.
Asheville, NC and other locations
Clarity Works – Clarity Works offers classes and week-long writing retreats for scribes of all levels of experience. This is a women's retreat, focusing on letting go of the "rules" you learned as a child, and getting to the truth within. Writer's workshops are held at several locations in the Southeast U.S.
Virgin Islands, Spain, India
The Painting Gypsies – The Painting Gypsies offer week-long oil workshops in the Virgin Islands, Spain or India (one workshop a year). Artists of all levels are welcome. You'll paint daily in stunning outdoor locations!