Uncorking Your Creative Core: Paint, Write & Walk in Mexico

ABOUT THE RETREAT

Have your creative energy and wild dreams been pent up or quashed for the past 2 years? If so, why not gift yourself a week’s stay in sunny San Miguel de Allende – where you can shake off the lockdowns and uncover latent ideas and simmering visions. By liberating yourself from the strictures of past art-making experience or skewed beliefs, such as: “I’m not an artist,” you’ll learn to see creative experience as a benevolent vehicle for deeper understanding, acceptance, transformation, and growth.

You made art before you wrote, before you planned, worked, traveled, and long before you started to think too much. Art is the basis of human expression. It’s at the core of your existence, so uncork and celebrate the fizz of your being!

Feel the fear, take a leap, and unleash your bottled-up creativity, with a brush in hand – and openness in your heart. Each day, you’ll stand up to paint; yes, you’ll be painting on your feet, and moving about – thereby activating the brain, the body and ALL senses. No need to come with a plan: Watch the colors and brushstrokes come alive; and see the magic and mysteries unfold, as you greet your square of paper anew, every day.

This 7-day journey through creative expression includes: Daily breakfast. A welcome Mexican dinner. Prompts and gently-guided facilitation for painting. Lightly structured activities, rather than actual instruction, are designed for grounding, relaxation and no-stress art-making.* There will also be time for writing, processing, meditation and movement.

* This is a no-critique experience, so all you (so-called) non-artists are warmly invited!

Walks around San Miguel will amplify the experience and plant seeds of inspiration, transforming your encounter with the sights, scents and sounds of San Miguel onto paper.

Your walking excursions include: 

• A visit to Fábrica La Aurora, a renovated textile mill, now featuring galleries and artist studios;

• A walk through one of San Miguel’s colourful neighborhoods, to marvel at the extensive urban street art scene.

Takeaways:

• Learn to focus more deeply on presence;
• Discover a deeper connection with your Inner Artist;
• Un-tether yourself from “shoulds” and past lessons and patterns;
• Enjoy the process of extracting meaning from ephemeral moments and sensations;
• Amplify your experimentation with out-of-the-box thinking;
• Develop deeper confidence in self-expression;
• Help clear and transpose difficult or unexpressed emotions;
• Reconnect with, and give voice to, your inner sparks of thought, feeling and vision;
• Feel greater freedom with risk-taking in your daily life;
• Increase your appetite for creative expression of every kind;
• You’ll go home with ideas for continued exploration of your artistic yearnings!

TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE

The art-making space will be available to you at all times. Situated on a expansive outdoor veranda, it has plenty of sun-covering, to ward off the midday heat.

Thursday is unscheduled. But don’t worry! You’ll be provided with a list of nearby neighborhoods and places that you might enjoy exploring.

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.                  Breakfast (included).

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.                Movement & Quiet Time. Intros, check-in, review previous day’s experiences

10:30 a.m – 12: 45 p.m.     Studio Time

12:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.       Lunch on your own, or as a group. Explore SMA or rest.

3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.         Art-making and/or writing.

5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.         Dinner or your own

8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.         Discussion or a walk about town.

*Schedule is subject to modification; depending on timing of walking excursions.

Register ASAP, to ensure your room choice and attendance in the retreat! (*Full payment due by June 1, 2022)

Imagine yourself… soaking in the sun and San Miguel’s creative atmosphere. If you’re looking for a transformative experience, this retreat is for YOU!

COVID-ERA QUESTIONS

The Mexican government has effectively addressed pandemic-related challenges, keeping numbers low. With a rigorous certification process in place for the hospitality industry, adhered to by our venue, Casa de la Noche, we hope these measures will alleviate your concerns.

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Artist, labyrinth designer, and author of a memoir about walking the Camino de Santiago, Amit initiated the 9/11 Montreal Peace Quilt as a collaborative memorial. Her juried photography has been exhibited at the Diaspora Museum (Tel Aviv, Israel) and, more recently, at the International Center for Photography (ICP, Manhattan NY). She is also the founder of Retreat On Your Feet – a walking & creative wellness experience.

As a seasoned facilitator of creative expression workshops (Heartshops), presented in Canada, Cambodia, and Bali, she invites participants to access their dormant art-spirit – and to find the joy in little steps towards self-discovery.

PHILOSOPHY of PRACTICE

This retreat does not involve art-instruction; but rather gentle guidance and nurturing through a mindful and joyful creative process, including silent practice. You will make art that springs from your interior experiences; and that will gently, and without judgment, assist you in breaking through barriers of expectation and blocks of expression. Consider this retreat a heart- and soul-liberating activity.

“Make Art Like Nobody’s Watching!”

Years ago, Amit taught art to teens at summer camp. There was much fear, trembling and a quashing of natural creative impulses. Since then, her passion has been to support adults in connecting with their long dormant or banished inner artists. Many of her retreat and workshop participants have felt a sense of relief, wonder and triumph as they open themselves up to creative self-expression through a newly-discovered voice and vehicle.

RETREAT VENUE

Register by April 15, 2022 to ensure your spot.

The retreat will be held in the historic San Miguel bordello-turned-B&B boutique hotel, CASA DE LA NOCHE. This charming, centrally-located hotel, among Conde Nast’s top picks, was also recently awarded TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Award for 2021. The venue has its own art studio, spacious gardens and grounds, and original art throughout the property. Learn all about Casa de la Noche.

RETREAT COSTS

The retreat takes place over 6 nights/7 days, and is limited to 12 participants. Accommodation (including taxes), registration, retreat facilitation fees, walking excursions and basic art supplies are all included in 4 different pricing options – depending on your room choice: Luxury Rooms (USD$2950), Suites & Cielo Suites (USD$2950), Deluxe Rooms (USD$2750), Working Girl (USD$2550).

See room reservation details below.

A welcome Mexican dinner and daily Mexican breakfasts are included; you’ll be on your own for most other meals. A kitchen is available for use by all participants throughout the retreat.

This historic multi-level hotel does not have an elevator, and most rooms are accessed by stairs. If you have concerns about your ability to negotiate steps, please email Amit, so that she can help you choose your accommodation. Or, for any specific lodging questions, please contact Barbara at Casa de la Noche (info@casadelanoche.com; 831-373-8888).

Basic painting supplies – Acrylic paints, some brushes and paper – will be provided. Please bring some of your favourite brushes and, optionally, a sketchbook. Additional supplies can be purchased at a nearby store, with a 10% discount for all participants.

Included in Retreat Cost

Six nights accommodation (including taxes). Studio space available 24/7. Group facilitation and discussions. Welcome Mexican dinner. Daily breakfast. Basic painting materials. Walking excursions.

Excluded from Retreat Cost

Airfare. Airport transfers (See details below). Transport around San Miguel (Buses and cabs are easy to use and very affordable). Meals (except where indicated). Tips. Travel insurance (ESSENTIAL).

ACCOMMODATIONS

All accommodations are single occupancy, with en-suite bathrooms for all – to ensure privacy and maximum focus on your retreat. (If you’d like to invite a friend or significant other to join you after the retreat, the hotel offers reduced rates for retreat participants.) An optional 3-day add-on is available, if you would like to sign up for a cooking lesson, a day-tour to the pyramids or hot springs, a hike in nature or just spending time in town to shop, people-watch and marvel at the sights.

All fourteen rooms are individually decorated, and all have air conditioning and private en-suite baths. Some have kitchenettes, separate sitting areas, TVs, fireplaces, gardens, patios or terraces, and all have access to light cooking facilities and common living areas. Our main common rooms have in-floor heating and all accommodations have electric or gas heaters, fans or air conditioning. All water is purified and WiFi is located throughout the property.