maple grove creative retreat

JUNE 6-9, 2024

Join artists Sarah Uhl + Anna Brones for a creative retreat at Maple Grove Hot Springs.

We see creativity as an essential component of overall wellness. When we give our creative selves the time to explore and experiment, we feel better. 

Combining forces, we have co-crafted this retreat to use art and creativity as a catalyst for simplifying, slowing down, recalibrating, and rejuvenating. Experimenting with a variety of mediums—from watercolor to cyanotypes to writing—we’ll lead with curiosity and spend our days honing in on our own creative process.

Hosted at the beautiful Maple Grove Hot Springs in Southern Idaho, the place is a central component of this retreat, providing inspiration and restoration. The retreat is capped at 13 participants to create an intimate and collaborative setting. 

Do you want to explore your creative side? You don’t need to be a professional or working artist to join us—every human has the capacity for creativity and we are here to help you better commit to that process.

Come join us to restore and reignite your creative self.

the power of co-creation

We are THRILLED to collaborate on this retreat offering, bringing together two unique perspectives around a joint set of values. Anna + Sarah will be co-facilitating the entire retreat so you get both of us for the whole experience! In a world that demands output, this retreat is focused on process:

the process of creating

the process of experimenting

the process of collaborating

the process of being

about the venue

what’s included

The Retreat will begin mid-day, on Thursday June 6th and end mid-day Sunday June 9th, 2024. You’ll be responsible for your own transportation to and from the retreat. Here is a list of what’s included in your registration fee:

registration cost + lodging options for the retreat at maple grove

Reserve your spot now!

Get all the details and reserve your spot using the link below… it will show “sold out” until registration opens on December 4.

$500 deposit holds your spot.

Final Balance due 90 days before the retreat. Read our entire cancellation policy on the reservation page.

If you are signing up with a friend and hope to share a yurt or stone shelter with one another, please email sarah at the time of sign up to be paired with your friend of choice.

FAQ

Do I need to be an artist? We believe that everyone is creative, and everyone has a capacity for strengthening their creative muscles.The goal of this retreat is to connect with and invest in your creative self. We will have basic instruction for all of the mediums that we use, but the goal is to use those mediums for creative exploration not a mastery of the medium. As long as you’re excited about playing with some different mediums and giving yourself permission to let go and commit to the process, you’ll be good to go.

What is the Maple Grove property like? Absolutely gorgeous! As a retreat participant you’ll have 24/7 access to the hot springs facilities. Maple Grove is a beautiful space run by people who believe in the power of time to relax and reboot. We will be abiding by their guidelines. Please note that the property is alcohol and drug free. Bathrooms and showers are located in the Riverhouse bathhouse at a central location. Read more about facilities and layout on the Maple Grove FAQ page. There is no cell service at maple grove but you can get connection nearby if needed. Hopefully, its just not needed for these few days!

What will the meals be like and what if I have Food Allergies? We will be offering 3 healthy meals a day prepared by a local chef. All retreat participants will be asked about their dietary needs ahead of time so we can accommodate everyone!

What is the general retreat schedule? We like to keep things loose and open for play and exploration, but in general, we will do a morning and afternoon creative session, with ample time in between for you to relax and enjoy the property. 

How many people will be at the retreat? We are capping this retreat at 13 guests. We want this retreat to feel intimate so that we all feel we are a part of a creative community. This also allows us to be on hand for more one-on-one conversations and connection.

What can I do in my free time blocks during the retreat? We believe it is important to build free time into the retreat schedule to give everyone extra rest and personal time you might not have built into your life back at home and for the content of the retreat to sink in and “land.” Besides soaking in the springs and enjoying your adorable yurt or stone shelter, you can spend your free time exploring the surrounding area by foot, canoe, or SUP.

What is the weather like that time of year? What if we have bad weather during the retreat? Early June in Southern Idaho can come with its surprises but most likely we will be enjoying perfect daytime temps and slightly cool eves which will give us plenty of inspiration for art making, enjoying the surrounding environment, and soaking in the hot springs. Our workshops will take place in a large group yurt in the forest so we will be protected from the elements during the workshops.

What else should I bring? You’ll be provided all the art supplies you need for the workshop as well as towels, robes, and all the food you’ll need for the weekend but we recommend bringing any additional art supplies you enjoy using, a few personal snacks, a variety of clothing for changing temperatures. A full packing list will be provided before the retreat.

testimonials

“I signed up for Sarah’s retreat because I have admired her painting style for years and I wanted to meet her and learn from her. It turns out, the retreat was so much more than learning a new painting style. It was a balm for my soul and a safe space to manifest my dream of becoming a mother, as well as a more confident artist and connected human being. As I write this testimonial, I am watching it snow out the window with my 2 month old son sleeping on my chest. It was an incredible few days at avalanche ranch and I am looking forward to the next retreat.” -Sarah Carpenter from Idaho

"Anna has a truly unique way of making every aspect of a retreat feel like a creative experience; expertly curated for those participating to look, think and feel a little deeper. Anna creates such an inclusive space, one where it is OK to join as a beginner, and simply enjoy the process of learning something new without the feeling of judgement. She brings such joy and energy to the process of creating and teaching, you will leave inspired and with a new lens to bring the creative process into your everyday life. There is no experience I could praise higher than a creative workshop or retreat with Anna - it is something you will find yourself going back to often either while creating, or in your head for a dreamy escape." - Carly Reni

“Sarah is an amazing artist, teacher, and human. She creates a space that allows for both connection and reflection. She weaves her web of nurturing at multiple levels, offering us the opportunity to access beauty in the physical forms of nourishment as well as tending to our inner landscapes. I had high expectations, and quite honestly, they were exceeded. It was all of my favorite things in a multi-day feast for the senses and heart.”-Alyssa from Wisconsin

"Anna is a natural facilitator, talented artist and wonderful human. Her warmth, enthusiasm and empathy brought together our retreat group almost instantly, enabling us to share, relate, relax and create in such a comfortable and effortless way. As a group, we came away emotionally and physically nourished and nurtured. Personally, I felt heard, supported, inspired and excited to do more. Thank you, Anna!" - Liza Ramrayka

“Sarah - thank you for all the preparation, planning, and forethought. Thank you for your calm and centered energy. Thank you for the details you attended to throughout the entire experience. Thank you for being open and vulnerable yourself, making it easy for others to do the same. Thank you for sharing your time, your family and yourself. The overall feeling each day was one of being nourished, being held, being taken care of. This was exactly what I needed.”

-Karalea from California

"Anna is a thoughtful and intentional retreat facilitator and instructor. When I sign up for a class with Anna I know I’ll come away from it feeling refreshed and looking at the world through a new lens. The prompts she shares and the retreat environment she creates give me a renewed sense of curiosity and wonder that I have found in few other spaces. As an added perk, I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying her Swedish baking; biting into a scone or bun while participating in a painting exercise brings it all together." - Genny Gerke