Are you someone with a passion for nature and creativity?
Looking to learn a few artistic techniques and/or how to identify species?
Want to slow down and settle into a deeper state of observation in nature?
How about an weekend away nature journaling a rural site in Devon, UK, together with a supportive group? Tuition by nature journaling educator and artist Alex Boon with mindful movement sessions by a yoga instructor on Saturday and Sunday mornings to start the day.
The location? The beautiful School of Art & Wellbeing, with an old cricket pavilion converted into a large, bright art studio, forest garden, walled vegetable garden, wildflower meadow, yurts, and polytunnel creative space. Accomodation is available onsite (to be booked separately by emailing [email protected]).
DRAFT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY 5TH JUNE: ARRIVAL AND INTRODUCTION
Arrival from 5 PM. Transport from Honiton station (1 mile from the school) can be provided. When you sign up for this retreat, you will be added to a retreatant-only section of my mailing list to receive information closer to the time, including info on transport logistics.
An evening meal of homegrown salad, delicious soup, and a cheese board will be provided for this first night (included in the retreat price).
Get to know each other over a meal followed by an introduction session, a tour of the grounds, and time to settle in and relax.
SATURDAY 6TH JUNE: NATURE JOURNALING SKILLS DAY
Morning yoga and mindfulness after breakfast – intended to help us to shift from our active, rational, thinking brains to our creative, inspired and open minds.
The majority of Saturday will be filled with beginner’s nature journaling skills sessions. These will include drawing, writing, and identification sessions with plenty of time to practice and work on your skills either in the pavilion art studio or out in the grounds.
Saturday night – a buffet-style curry takeaway in the house (included in the retreat price). Different diets will be catered for, just let me know in an email so that I can inform the restuarant. You are also welcome to bring different food to the house to eat with the group if you prefer (however note that we cannot offer refunds of this included food cost if you choose to bring your own food or not to come to dinner).
SUNDAY 7TH JUNE: NATURE-INSPIRED CREATIVITY DAY
Morning yoga and mindfulness after breakfast.
On this day, we will create a group nature journaling wall, a community nature journal, which will be set up in the polytunnel. This will be our group story of the weekend and the species we have recorded on the School of Art and Wellbeing grounds. You may contribute anything you like to this mini-exhibition (just for us) and lots of materials will be provided for you to use, as well as individualised tuition on your chosen idea.
There is no provided food option for Sunday night, although there are usually curry leftovers! If you are staying for the walk, please bring something to cook (a fully-equipped kitchen is available in the pavilion) or share, or eat offsite if preferred.
MONDAY 8TH JUNE: NATURE JOURNALING ON THE COAST PATH (OPTIONAL FINAL DAY)
For those who choose to stay with us until Monday, there will be the chance to join Alex for a guided walk around Pinhay Warren, within the Undercliffs National Nature Reserve. Bring your nature journals to practice your newfound skills in the wild! This walk is included in the retreat price for anyone who would like to come. PLEASE NOTE that this circular walk of about 3 miles does contain some ups and downs, so ensure that you are sufficiently mobile to join us on this day. Transport between Lyme Regis (our start point) and the School of Art & Wellbeing will be provided. There will be an opportunity to purchase packed lunch on Lyme Regis high street before we begin our walk.
More details and booking: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/alexboonart/1909543