2026 RETREATS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

get in touch here for details once they become available

Nourish your creative soul at Lake Santeetlah,

In the mountains of Western North Carolina

Women’s Art Retreats for Creative Renewal + Connection

OCTOBER 23-26, 2025

ColorFlow

A Women’s Art Retreat for Creative Renewal

Welcome! I’m Kristen Edge, owner of ArtPlay Creativity Studio + Gallery and your host for each retreat.

Our women’s art retreats are designed to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to nurture your creative spirit, while connecting with other like-hearted women in an incredible lakefront setting. Guest artists bring their unique artistry and passion for teaching to the entire creative experience, making each retreat truly one-of-a-kind!

Please feel free to reach out to me here with any questions prior to booking or once you are registered.

I look forward to hosting you!

Watercolor + Wonder

September 2025. Traces of a magical retreat with artist Katie White at Lake Santeetlah.

Watercolor painting supplies on a table, including watercolor paint sets, brushes, water containers, and several completed watercolor artworks depicting landscapes and abstract designs.
A group of people participating in an art workshop, creating colorful artwork on paper and canvases at tables arranged in a U-shape in a bright room with large windows overlooking a lake.
Abstract watercolor painting on paper with blend of pink, purple, blue, and beige tones featuring circular and curved shapes.
Women participating in an watercolor painting workshop, seated at a table with watercolor paintings, brushes, and a vase with flowers.
People participating in an art class using watercolor paints, with paintings, brushes, and art supplies on tables.

KIND WORDS

  • “I would go again in a heartbeat!”

    “The time spent together with all the amazing women and Cathy at the ArtPlay Retreat was absolutely magical! I learned so many new painting techniques for making collages, using colors, and creating compositions, just to name a few. Cathy is an amazing nurturing teacher! I had such a great time creating, enjoying the laughter, singing along to music, and sharing the heart-felt sense of joy and happiness with everyone. It was a great way to refresh, rejuvenate, and relieve stress and tension. I’m so glad I went, it was totally worth it. I would go again in a heartbeat! I’m so grateful for our time together.” ~ Dina P.

  • “Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys exploring their creativity at any level in their journey.”

    “I recently attended ArtPlay's retreat called Playful Blooms.  It was an amazing experience.  The location was so beautiful and accommodations were very upscale.  The group attending were like minded individuals who loved art, music, and inspiring conversation.  We were pampered by an amazing host- Kristen -who with her team of assistants fed us wonderful food.  We were taught by a very talented teacher Cathy Nichols and classes were so much fun. Music was played during our sessions as we sang along. I highly recommend ArtPlay's retreats at beautiful Lake Santeetlah to anyone who enjoys exploring their creativity at any level in their journey.” ~ Kathy C.

  • “I will carry the joy with me for a long time.”

    “The ArtPlay (Playful Blooms) retreat was a feast of laughter, color, flowers, and community. The artist’s warm and generous teaching style made me feel comfortable and capable, even as an artist without a lot of experience. Studio time was focused and organized, while allowing space for fun and laughter. This retreat fed the creative soul in ways that satisfy beyond one weekend. I will carry the joy with me for a long time.” ~ Sandy C.

  • “I loved it all. I loved every single day!”

    “I had the great pleasure of attending ArtPlay’s retreat, Playful Blooms at Lake Santeetlah with the fabulous Cathy Nichols. I was absolutely blown away with the entire weekend! Kristen of ArtPlay saw to every detail. The location, food and drinks, creative space, the “energy” – we were absolutely spoiled! Cathy’s method of teaching and supporting new and experienced artists was amazing. She was attentive and patient and INSPIRING! She broke down every step in bite sized pieces and explained not just what she was doing but why and the process to get there. I love it all! I loved every single day. The collection of women gathered and the space to create beautiful art – it was all perfection!” ~ Carrie D.

  • Kimberly’s Students:

    “Not enough stars!”

    “This was a fantastic class, Kimberly makes you feel so relaxed and confident. I started out with trepidation and finished with elation! Would give this six stars if I could! Thank you!”

    Sandra F.

    “Cinq étoiles!!!…

    Très bien expliqué. Techniques intelligentes et surprenantes! J'aime votre style Kim et je sais que je découvrirai le mien à force de pratique. Soyez bénie! “

    de Nicole T.

  • Kimberly’s Student:

    “I absolutely love the stunning blooms you can create with alcohol inks and Kimberly teaches this skill in a very clear, simple way. It definitely takes practice to achieve great results a high percentage of the time, but you will gain the knowledge you need from Kimberly’s instruction. The number of different skills taught is a bonus. Kimberly covers the beautiful dimensional centers and other flower types both on yupo and black paper. Thank you so much Kimberly.”

    Laura T.

  • Kimberly’s students:

    “Kimberly’s artistic talents inspire us to try something new. She helps us build a foundation to express ourselves with easy to understand videos and real-time support. You can’t help but create beautiful artwork and feel good about the process along the way with Kimberly!”

    AnnaMarie L.

    “Wonderful, insightful …

    I have seen flower centers done before, some no doubt trying to mimic what they have seen in her paintings, but her tips are what will take an artist to a new level. Her teaching really resonated with me. It always is the fine details that take good art to excellent art and her class will give you that. Highly recommend!”

    Lisa P.

A collage of landscape and nature scenes, including a lake with orange chairs, a mountain view with a boat, and various floral art and flower arrangements.

Nurture your creative soul in a beautiful lakefront setting, in the company of other curious creatives, during this special retreat experience.

We invite you to join us for a serene and joyful escape into the art of mixed media florals, inspired by the May wildflowers of Western North Carolina & the beauty of Lake Santeetlah. From Thursday afternoon to Sunday mid-day, immerse yourself in the joy of colors, creativity & community, while dropping into the sanctuary of this gorgeous lakefront setting with us!

Your Lakefront Setting

  • A tranquil lake surrounded by lush green trees under a partly cloudy sky at sunset.

    View from Cove House

  • View of a lake with green forested hills on both sides under a partly cloudy blue sky.

    Out on the lake: views from pontoon

  • A balcony with a black round table and four gray chairs, shaded by a large beige umbrella. The balcony has railing overlooking a waterway with trees and boats, and is attached to a gray house with large windows.

    Deck at Cove House

  • A multi-story house with dark exterior, large windows, and a wooden deck, situated on a hillside with lush green trees. There is a pinkish tree and various shrubs in the yard, and a body of water in the foreground.

    Cove House

  • A lake scene with three paddleboarders and a boat dock in the foreground, surrounded by lush green trees under a partly cloudy blue sky.

    Cove house swimming cove

  • Multi-story house with multiple balconies, situated on a wooded lakeshore, with a dock extending into the water and boats covered with tarps nearby.

    Stillwater House

  • Sunset over a lake with mountains in the background and reflective water in the foreground.

    Sunset near both homes

  • View from water in front of a home with mountains in the background, a bright sun, and a paddle in the water.

    Just beyond the cove

  • Living room with large windows, wood floor, sofa, armchairs, fireplace, TV, and wall decor.

    Cove House Main Level

  • A wooden deck overlooking a calm lake with a green Adirondack chair, a white pillow, and a small table. The scene is surrounded by trees with a blue sky and partly cloudy weather.

    Cove House deck

  • Living room with a wooden dining table, bench, and lounge chairs arranged around a stone fireplace. Television mounted above the fireplace, with decorative plants and vases. Sunlight streams through large windows.

    Stillwater House main level

  • Scenic view of a river with mountains and trees in the background, under a clear blue sky, with the text 'View from the dock' overlaying the image.

    View from Stillwater House Dock

  • View of a screened porch with four wooden chairs with blue cushions, a round wooden table, and a small side table, overlooking trees and houses outside.

    Cove House Screened Porch #1

  • A lake reflecting a green forest with a few houses and boats, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

    Cove House

  • Two people kayaking on a peaceful lake surrounded by dense green trees, under a partly cloudy sky.

    Kayaking in the cove

  • People relaxing on a wooden dock by the water, sunbathing on lounge chairs and mats, with kayaks and a canoe nearby, surrounded by sparkling water and green foliage.

    Cove House dock

  • Sun shining over a calm river with rolling hills and mountains in the background, partly cloudy sky.

    Sunset on the lake

  • Two women swimming in a river near a rocky, wooded shoreline, with one woman swimming towards the other and someone climbing the rocks in the background.

    Swimming on the lake

  • View from a paddleboard on a calm lake surrounded by trees and mountains in the distance, with a paddle resting on the board.

    Paddle board on the lake

  • Sun shining through cloudy sky over a calm lake, reflecting light on the water, with a forested shoreline on both sides.

    In front of Cove House

  • View from a kayak on a peaceful lake with mountains in the background, the sun shining in the sky with scattered clouds, and the reflection on the water.

    Headed out on kayak

  • A group of people relaxing on a wooden dock with kayaks on a calm lake on a sunny day.

    Cove House dock

  • A dog standing on the edge of a boat, looking out over a lake with mountains in the background under a bright sun.

    Out on the pontoon- dog not at retreat

  • A glass bottle with yellow and white daffodils on a wooden railing overlooking a body of water and trees under a clear blue sky.

    Local daffodils

  • Two people and a dog relaxing on a boat on a lake with scenic mountains and trees in the background during sunset.

    Pontoon cruise

  • A serene lake surrounded by green hills with a partly cloudy sky and the setting sun on the horizon.

    View from pontoon

  • Living room with large windows overlooking a lake, with seating, fireplace, and a ceiling fan with wooden blades.

    Cove House main level

  • Enclosed porch with four wooden chairs with blue cushions around a round wooden table, with pillows on two chairs, sunlight casting shadows, and trees visible through the screened windows.

    Screened porch #1- Cove House

ART RETREAT GIFT CARD
from $300.00