Mindful Art Retreat
A Gentle Art Retreat in the North of the Netherlands
2–6 September | Wednesday to Sunday | Four nights | €450/£400 per person
Travel not included
We are hosting a small, slow art retreat this September.
It is a chance to step out of daily life for a few days.
To make art.
To rest.
And to reconnect with yourself in a calm and supportive setting.
Before you book
If you are thinking about joining, please email us so we can check together if it is the right fit for you.
You can also book to hold your place and we will get in touch to see if this retreat suits you.
Where we will be
The retreat takes place in Usquert, a small village in the north of the Netherlands. It is peaceful and full of character.
The sea is about an hour’s walk away, through open landscape.
We will stay in a beautiful shared house. It has shared bedrooms and shared bathrooms.There are large communal spaces for dinner, meditation or yoga, a cosy living room, and a big garden.
There is plenty of space to sit quietly, read, walk, or just be.
This is a communal place.
Simple.
Rustic.
Warm.
The retreat will be in English but the hosts speak Dutch and German too.
Join and Pay in English Pounds
Join and Pay in Euro's
The price includes:
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Four nights accommodation
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All meals and drinks
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Vegetarian food
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All art sessions and meditations
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All materials
Rooms are shared with other participants.
If you have a medical reason why you cannot share, please let me know and we may be able to upgrade for an additional fee.
Travel is not included.
You will need to organise your own journey.
Price and booking
The retreat costs £450 per person.
To secure your place, there is a £50 non refundable deposit.
Places are limited, so the group stays small and supportive.
Is this retreat for you?
This retreat is for you if:
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You want to slow down
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You enjoy gentle creativity
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You are curious about mindfulness
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You like calm, communal spaces
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You do not need prior art or meditation experience
You are very welcome, exactly as you are.
What the retreat is about
This retreat is a gentle introduction to mindfulness and meditation.
No experience needed.
Everything is explained slowly and clearly.
We will have two short Mindfulness meditations each day.
They are simple and grounding.
They help you notice your breath, your body, and your senses.
Alongside this, we will make a lot of art.
The focus is not on “doing it right”. It is about exploring and playing.
Art making during the retreat
We will work with a range of gentle art exercises, including:
Playing with colour
Exploring colour combinations
Mixing different materials and mediums
Observational drawing
Drawing from imagination
Simple, mindful sketching
There will be an optional longer walk (2.5 hours), weather permitting. If conditions allow, we will draw on location.
Recharge
There is also plenty of free time.
Time to walk.
Time to rest.
Time to be on your own if you need that.
A few days without screens
During the retreat, we encourage everyone to turn off their phone. No social media. No constant messages.
This is not strict or enforced. It is an invitation. An invitation to experience the world through your senses. To notice colour, sound, texture, and movement. To be present, rather than online.
The Daily Program
There may be changes still
The days follow a soft, steady rhythm.
There is structure, but also plenty of space.
From the end of the evening programme until after breakfast, we keep silence.
This helps the nervous system settle.
You can still move around, make tea, or go for a walk.
We just keep things quiet.
07:30 – Morning meditation
08:30 – Breakfast
10:30 – 12:00 – Drawing session, Guided art making, with simple and supportive prompts.
12:30 – Lunch
15:30 – 17:30 – Afternoon drawing session, More time to explore materials, colour, and drawing.
18:00 – Evening meal
19:30 – Short mindfulness introduction and evening meditation
20:30 – Evening finishes
From this point, we move back into silence until after breakfast.
The rhythm is there to support you.
Nothing is forced.
You are always welcome to rest, step outside, or take time for yourself.