creators retreat
let your soul out to play
august 9-13, 2021
Bragg Creek, Alberta
This beautiful retreat is full.
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If you are a woman who is hungry to play in the creative flow,
bring more creative energy into your life with lightness and joyfulness, and explore how the creative process can also be a deeply fulfilling spiritual experience, then join us for this colourful experience of creation and connection.
creativity and soul expression
WE USE CREATIVITY TO TAP INTO OUR SOULFUL CALLING, AND WE TAP INTO OUR Spiritual CONNECTION TO INSPIRE OUR CREATIONS.
The two are inseparable.
looking down at the table in front of you, you see a beautiful mosaic emerging.
The colours make your heart sing and your soul dance. You cannot believe you have made such an inspired piece of art. In fact, you never really thought you had it in you. But here you are, looking at a perfect combination of colour and texture, materials chosen by your hand, heart, and soul, arranged to powerfully convey the message you were inspired by when you started to choose and lay out the parts, configuring and reconfiguring them with careful intention. It is like it flowed through you, and you are truly amazed at what you have made. You were undoubtedly in the zone.
And you recognize, in that moment, that not only did this fabulous design blossom in front of you, it came through you, and having done so, you can see yourself, who you are at your core, a little more clearly. Your mosaic is the physical expression of your inner authentic self.
As the other women in the group—your new soul sisters—come to see your work, you beam with confidence and wonder at your own ability. It has been there all along.
You want more flow & expression in your life,
but you are getting stuck in thinking and reflecting without the follow through. You desire to experience the creative process and embody it with ease, grace, and abandon.
Wouldn’t it feel wonderful to create freely, playfully, and unobstructed by expectations and self-limitations?
First, PAUSE. You’re good. Great, actually!!
You have magnificent, expressive versions of your badass self inside, and we can help you unleash that creative genius. We will guide you to tap into your inspired, soulful self and give yourself the permission to let that out in a nurturing, safe space of blissful self-expression and discovery.
Tap in. Tune in. Turn on.
Wouldn’t it feel amazing to have immense fun reconnecting with your creative energy, unlocking your full expression and purpose?
Imagine waking up knowing the day is reserved for YOUR enjoyment, YOUR desires, YOUR pace, and YOUR creative exploration?
Joyful fulfillment within inner purpose.
Are you ready? You are, aren’t you!!
folk tree lodge
146 212 Hwy 762,
Bragg Creek, AB,
TOL 0K0, CANADA
The Venue: folk tree lodge
Bragg Creek, Alberta
Situated on over 30 forested acres of private land, Folk Tree Lodge and its artisan-crafted cabins has everything you need to breathe deeply, connect with your inner inspirations, and incorporate the serenity of the natural pause into your creative process.
Without the pollution of city streetlights or car lights, the stars will shine inspiration into you. Without the noisy distractions of the neighbour’s motorcycle or his incessant early morning leaf-blowing, your senses can bathe in the peaceful freedom of your own inner voice.
Among the gentle swaying of the pristine trees, we will find space to hear our own inner workings, to unpack the dusty suitcases of our psyche, and to discover a calling that has alluded us for too long.
At Folk Tree Lodge, sitting at the fire under the new moon or around the dinner table surrounded by like-minded women, and as we fall into the rustic log-framed beds at night to dream colourful dreams of possibility, our creativity and our access to the process will be renewed and expressed.
THE FOOD
Our taste buds will be delighted by a playful menu of catered meals. Each vegetarian creation will be curated from whole, nutritious, seasonal ingredients to inspire and nurture our body and spirit and fulfill and awaken our senses, livening us to unlock our connection with our inner self while sharing a wonderful connection with our soul sisters at the table.
Any additional dietary restrictions will be accommodated.
breakfast
Each morning you will wake up to the aroma of freshly brewed, locally roasted coffee. And if tea is your preference, you can choose that to pair with a spread of fresh, nutritious breakfast options.
lunch
Maybe it will be a picnic on the beautiful grounds at Folk Tree Lodge; or maybe it will be a feast of fancy served at the great table in the Lodge. Wherever it is, it will be delicious and delightful!
dinner
Dinner is the perfect time to sit around the great table with interesting women who you are becoming deeply connected with and talk about all the things. Dinner naturally inspires connection, laughter, and beautiful memories.
the delights (activities and promises)
connect
With your inner self:
a variety of meditation practices
energy movement practices
exercises to promote spiritual connection
With others:
group reflections, conversations, and ritual
spending time with a small group of other like-minded women who will stimulate your growth and creative expression
With nature:
forest bathing
treasure gathering
New Moon ceremony
create
Through the daily immersion in the physical aspect of creativity in a variety of mediums, you will find yourself opening to the magnificent pause that allows your heart space to open and design beautiful patterns, images, words, and relationship with your environment in new and gratifying ways. You will experience yourself in new ways as a result of free, safe creative expression.
integrate
Reflection and connection are among the most powerful tools needed to integrate new information and perspectives. Being around a group of powerful, interesting, inspired, and open-minded women will give you the space and the opportunity to consider and try previously unfamiliar self-expressions. This opportunity can be life-changing and liberating, allowing you to consider alternative ways of doing things that feel fulfilling and in alignment with who you really are at a soulful level.
you already know you are creative,
but you’re not sure how to express it. Does it feel risky to put yourself out there without knowing that your creative expression will be accepted, even enjoyed? Are you lacking the environment to feel safe to share yourself in a way that is deeply meaningful and authentic for you?
Do you find yourself longing for a group of women that you can laugh with, brainstorm about your desires and ideas with, and feel completely accepted by?
Are you aching to be really heard, seen, embraced, and uplifted?
We are creating that community within the context of this retreat. You will be surrounded by interesting, inspired women who want the same things as you: safe connections with meaningful outcomes. This retreat is an opportunity to meet your soul sisters.
We will talk about meaningful topics. We will listen actively to each other and hear our inspirations. We will reflect together and learn from each other, raising each other up.
And we will be connected with the most powerful feminine influence of all: Mother Nature.
The combination of the safe space, new connections, unleashed creative expression, and calm flow of pausing and listening to the whispers of your soul will be deeply fulfilling for any woman.
added bonuses that will delight
art
You will leave the retreat with a physical piece of art that you have created, reminding you of your newfound access to creativity and the incredible connections you made around the table.
ceremony
We will be arriving in the full power of the new moon. On the first evening, we will enjoy a powerful ceremony to create intention & awaken our creative desires, both for the week, for the moon cycle, and for the bigger picture.
Gifts
Who doesn’t love gifts? We have some creative fancies for you to enjoy and even use while you are here.
Dosha Reading
Knowing your dosha is not only interesting, it has wonderful practical applications. Trained as an Ayurvedic Mindfulness Coach, Leanne will determine your dosha before the retreat starts. Why? Because it is both fun and useful!
Wanna chat before you commit? Maybe you have a few lingering questions? No problem!!! Let’s connect. I’m all ears!! Book a free discovery call.
Leanne.
what is included
three full days of diving into the creative process, clearing the channel for inspiration to drop in, and celebrating our unique individual expression
an introduction evening that includes a beautiful catered dinner and a new moon ceremony under the deep, dark country sky
a joyful celebration on the final morning to bookend the retreat and send you off inspired and reconnected with your soulful, creative self
a variety of gently guided, playful artistic experiences that will ignite your creative expression and encourage new possibilities for you to explore: mosaic, paint, wordplay, and more
a powerful active emotional release meditation that will cleanse your inner environment and connect you to the vulnerabilities that can drive creative expression
daily guided meditation and movement practices to encourage the flow of energy and inspiration into your physical body
daily connection with nature designed to reconnect you with your inherent wisdom (vison walks, forest bathing, grounding practices, and more)
impromptu dance parties
accommodation in a beautiful, serene environment that has its own creative nudges
all meals between and including supper on August 9th to breakfast on August 13th
coffee, tea, and snacks throughout the day
Wi-fi and cell phone coverage
what is not included
travel to and from the retreat venue
alcoholic beverages (They are allowed, but not provided.)
personal, medical, or trip cancellation insurance
any extra charges incurred for phone calls or data service
co-facilitators
theo harasymiw
“I am a painter, a mosaic artist, an Art Educator, a mother of two, a ‘secret’ kitchen dancer, a ukulele player, and free spirit.
My Passion is to Create and to Seek with grand curiosity and visual art is my vehicle. I have been working with schools and communities for 23 years to collaboratively assemble permanent works of art which celebrate their stories and values. I am co-creator of the Meraki Artists Collective and owner of Studio Theo.
My stand and purpose is to re-introduce and nurture the Creative Muse in women so they can find flow and playfulness in their daily lives. By making space to dance in a Creative manner, we all welcome a little more joy and bliss in the world.”
leanne mccarthy
Leanne is a master intuit, Clarity Coach, Akashic Records reader and teacher, and the mom of two young kids.
“My spiritual journey quietly started decades ago and charged to the forefront shortly after becoming a mother for the second time. I was overwhelmed, completely unable to recognize who I was becoming, and felt hollow, as though all of my dreams and purpose had been shelved and tagged as ‘negligible…for the time being.’ I knew I needed to put myself back into my life and tap into my passions, gifts, and creative flow.
I have degrees in frames and certificates galore, but the thing that has given me the most reward and the highest energetic paycheque is knowing my purpose and how to communicate with my own soul. And having the best people around me! Everything else falls beautifully into place after that.”
let’s chat.
Check out our FAQs directly below. If you still have some questions or would like to talk more about any part of this retreat, we would love to connect with you. It is really important to us that you feel confident and excited about your decision.
FAQs
Is this retreat for me? I’m not an artist.
Yes!! We are not all artists, but we are all creators. We create every aspect of our lives, so let’s learn how to make it intentional and inspired! That is what this retreat is for, to capture and tune into how to transfer the inspiration in our head into the real world and really create a life you love!!
What is the itinerary?
We will share a general itinerary with the participants when they arrive. Each day, we will spend time creating (art, ideas, connections, etc.), time reflecting, and time listening to each other and being heard by everyone in the group. As creators, we are fluid with the needs of the group and with the immediate circumstances. If you are someone who really needs tons of structure and details, that is super cool, but this may not be the best fit for a retreat for you.
Do I need to bring my own art supplies?
You can if you want, but it is not necessary. We will have everything you need—and a few extras—to express yourself fully.
can men and children participate?
Thank you for asking. We value all of the people in our lives, and this retreat is a space for adult women only. Our primary desire is to create a safe space for women to express exactly what is in their hearts and to find creative ways to draw that out of her. Sometimes males and children can inhibit that freedom of expression.
i am coming from far away. what options do i have for transportation to the retreat location?
Let’s connect and be in communication on this one. The closest major airport is the Calgary International Airport, which is about an hour drive from Bragg Creek. We can arrange a carpool or other reasonable transportation option once we are aware of your needs.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, of course. You are important, and we will do whatever needs to be done to make sure your needs are met.
What do I need to pack?
We will give you all the information you need to pack the appropriate items to meet all of the needs of the retreat in respect to weather, activities, etc. But just as a general perspective, Bragg Creek in August will likely be quite warm (avg. is ~ 22 degrees Celsius) and can be rainy, though it’s mostly dry. We will be going on easy nature hikes, so comfortable footwear is recommended. And the usual items like bug spray and sunscreen.
How much does it cost?
Please follow this link for more information on the price and how to register when you are ready.
WHAT ABOUT COVID?
I know, right. Covid-19 has been a major bummer, and we are all so darn ready to be in-person again, which is why we need this retreat more than ever. Alberta’s covid-19 restrictions will be lifted almost entirely by July 1, 2021, thanks to the administration of vaccines and the awesomeness of humans. However, if that scenario changes and the retreat is not able to proceed safely considering government restrictions, numbers, etc., you will have the option to forward your registration to a future event or get a full refund. If you have concerns or questions, please reach out: Leanne@leannemccarthy.com. We want you to feel comfortable with your decision and with how excited you are about attending this retreat.
don’t delay! There are limited spots!!
cancellation policy
Your deposit is fully refundable until April 30, 2021.
Payment balances must be made in full by June 30, 2021 to keep a spot on the retreat.
Payments made in full are fully refundable before April 30, 2021.
Any cancellation made between April 30, 2021 and July 31, 2021 will result in a loss of a $500 fee.
No refunds will be given after July 31, 2021.
If government restrictions prevent us from safely running the retreat because of covid-19, all participants will receive a full refund or a full credit toward a future event.
We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum (if we do so, your registration is refunded in full). Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended whenever making travel plans. You can use our suggested Travel Guard Insurance online and choose from several policy options.
Contact us.
Leanne McCarthy
Leanne@leannemccarthy.com
Edmonton, AB