September 24-27 2026
Sacred Circles:
Watercolor, Acrylic Inks & Soul Renewal Retreat
with guest artist Krista Brock
Imagine a quiet lake, mountains framing the horizon, sunlight dancing on gentle ripples, and the soft whisper of forest air. For four days, we’ll gather in this serene setting to create, reflect, and play — a retreat where color, texture, and intuition guide the way.
Each day begins with a gentle grounding practice, a soft invitation to settle into your body, quiet your mind, and open your creative voice. From there, we’ll let our imagination take the lead. Together, we’ll explore intuitive watercolor and acrylic inks, journaling, and daily creations like affirmation cards, discovering how your own intentions and reflections can emerge through color and mark-making. We’ll also explore intuitive portraits, playful experiments on paper or wood, and other guided exercises that allow your creativity to decide where, what, and how to paint. Sticks, feathers, and found objects will become tools for discovery, helping you engage fully with process and play, while still leaving room for quiet reflection.
Our signature portal and nest paintings — circular, layered works — will emerge alongside your collection of affirmation cards, journals, and other intuitive pieces, each reflecting personal growth, protection, and transformation. Every art-making session is designed to honor curiosity over perfection, intuition over expectation, and the beauty of process as much as product.
AT BEAUTIFUL LAKE SANTEETLAH
I felt disconnected from their creativity, perfectionist tendencies, or the constant pull to “do it all.” After a major life shift, simplifying my creative practice with watercolor and acrylic inks became a path back to myself — noticing the small wonders, slowing down, and honoring curiosity. This retreat offers that same gift: space to return to your own creative heart, to explore, play, reflect, and reconnect with your inner voice.
“Each day at Lake Santeetlah will gently begin the way I begin my own mornings — with practices that ground the body, quiet the mind, and open the creative channel.
We’ll gather for slow, mindful walks in nature — what I love to call wonder walks. These are unhurried, meditative wanderings where we notice the clouds and their shapes, the textures of bark, the shadows dancing across the earth, the shimmer of light on water. We’ll pause often. Sometimes in quiet. Sometimes with a guided affirmation, reflection, or visualization. These walks are an invitation into the art of noticing — of remembering that glimmers of beauty, insight, and quiet miracles live in the ordinary moments all around us.
This is also where inspiration is gathered. You may find yourself picking up a fallen leaf, a stick, a feather, or a flower — something to paint with, something to reference, or simply something that asked to be seen. At times, we may tuck journals or scraps of paper under our arms and stop to sketch, write, or paint what’s calling to us: the pattern of a tree, the color of the water, the way morning light moves across the ground.”
~ Krista
RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
Tools and practices to sustain daily creativity and personal renewal
A refreshed sense of wonder, connection, and possibility
The chance to connect with other women, share stories, and perhaps form lasting friendships!
Individual attention and feedback from Krista
A collection of meaningful, intuitive artworks, including your signature portal or nest piece
Free time for personal exploration and relaxation at the lake
Evening gatherings to connect with one another
A special closing circle to share your experiences
What’s Included
Four nights accommodation at a lakefront home on beautiful Lake Santeetlah
Nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina, and located right on the lake!. An easy 2 hours drive from vibrant downtown Asheville. Your accommodations will be at one of three lakefront homes on the same lake cove (all within walking distance to each other).
Daily mixed media art-making with Krista
As your guide for the weekend, artist and educator - will help you embrace watercolor as a tool for mindfulness, creativity, and self-expression. With her gentle, encouraging approach, she’ll support you in letting go of perfection, tuning into your intuition, and finding joy in the process of painting. Whether you're new to watercolor or looking to deepen your practice, Katie’s expertise will help you explore with confidence and curiosity.
Katie will lead you through the process of creating mindful watercolors as well as guiding you through exploratory exercises that encourage play, and a deeper connection to your creative flow.
All art supplies you will need for the retreat
All watercolor paints, brushes and papers you will need for art-making during the retreat will be provided, and will be at your disposal throughout. If you have a favorite watercolor paint brand or set, feel free to bring it along if you would like. Teaching artist, Katie White, will also provide you with a list of recommended materials in case you prefer to bring your own and/or purchase after the retreat.
Inspiration from Nature
80% of the lake’s shoreline is undeveloped, giving us plentiful, lush beauty + tranquility, vast horizons, deep hues of blue & green and big, open sky. In this setting, you will have no shortage of natural beauty to draw ideas and inspiration from for your color palettes, forms and subjects. We invite you to allow the unspoiled natural surroundings to fuel your choices & imagination throughout the retreat.
Community and Connection
Throughout the retreat, we will enjoy creative time together, via art-making, meals, lake outings on the boat, happy hour and downtime together on the screened porches. You will also have the opportunity for your own private time as you choose, when you need a little downtime.
Soaking in the Beauty of the Lake
You’ll have time for swimming, boating or just relaxing as you watch the sunlight dapple across the lake as you sip your morning coffee. Sunset cruises to enjoy the lake’s beauty will be offered on Thursday, Friday & Saturday.
Delicious & Nourishing Food
On the first night, there will be a special chef-prepared dinner celebration to welcome you, with a glass of wine or special mocktail. Friday and Saturday, you’ll enjoy fresh continental breakfasts in addition to fully catered lunches and dinners. On Sunday a catered brunch will be provided for the last morning of the retreat.
How do I know if this retreat is a good fit for me?
You see art-making as a tool for self-nourishment, creative expression and joy.
You long for connection with other like-hearted souls, in a collaborative, non-judgmental atmosphere.
You find the idea of creating art, while immersed in a beautiful natural setting, inspiring.
You don’t mind- or you even relish- the idea of putting down the to-do list and dropping into a stretch of days filled will wonder, presence, creativity and connection.
You value the creative process itself, and would enjoy being invited and inspired to tap into your own creative voice.
You’d love to learn from -and with- Krista - through her creative mediums and practices that she will share.
You look forward to a balance of time for art-making, time for connection, and down time to enjoy the beauty of the lake and the serenity of its surroundings.
Welcome! I’m Kristen Edge, owner of ArtPlay Creativity Studio + Gallery and your host for each retreat.
In May of 2025, we began a beautiful new chapter of hosting women’s art retreats at Lake Santeetlah, quietly nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. It has been a joyful experience to welcome and host women from across the country - and beyond- who feel drawn to nurturing their creative spirit while connecting with other like-hearted souls. A few times per year, we gather in a gorgeous lakefront setting, surrounded by miles of preserved national forest shoreline to remember our inborn creativity and learn from artists who are passionate about sharing their gifts..
We hosted three retreats in 2025: Playful Blooms with Cathy Nichols, Watercolor + Wonder with Katie White and ColorFlow with Kimberly Deene. Each retreat has held its own special magic that gets created anew with the unique constellation of women who gather here. I hope you’ll join us on the journey!
I hope to welcome you in 2026!
FAQ’s
Do I need artistic background or experience to attend this retreat? This is a common question we receive, and the answer is NO, you do not need to be an artist or be experienced with art-making to attend this retreat. Our retreats are designed to be beginner-friendly and supportive of wherever you may be on your creative journey.
What if I am an experienced artist, will I still benefit?
Will there be down time? Yes! Each day will have built-in Flex Time for you to enjoy the lake, relaxing on the decks or screened porch, connecting with others or
What is the cancellation policy? Due to the amount of preparation & expense that goes into creating each retreat we are not able to provide refunds. In the event that you are not able to attend, you may transfer your spot to someone who is interested - given advance notice- however please note that it would be your responsibility to find your replacement. As a courtesy, if we have people on a wait list we are happy to announce your available spot for you.
For those interested, we offer the ability to pay in 2 installments. (50% due at time of booking, remaining 50% due by August 1st)
Are food sensitivities included in menu planning? Accommodations in our menu planning depends on the number of people in the group that have specific sensitivities or limitations. If you have questions in advance, please reach out here!
How do I get to the retreat location? While transportation is not included, your host- Kristen Edge- is happy to work with you if you need to arrange for shuttle transport from the Asheville Airport to Lake Santeetlah. Please reach out to your host, Kristen Edge here, if you have questions about arrival logistics.
Type in area code: 28771 to estimate your drive time. Lake Santeetlah is a two hour drive from Asheville NC
BOOK NOW FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING!
$350 savings through March 15, 2026
RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW TO LOCK IN THE LOWEST PRICES
$2100 - $3150
$1700 - $2750
Room types and availability for this retreat:
SINGLE OCCUPANCY MASTER SUITE/ LAKEFRONT- 1 spot (private)
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ROOM/ LAKEVIEW - 6 spots (shared)
SINGLE OCCUPANCY ROOM/ LAKEFRONT - 4 spots (private)
KIND WORDS FROM OUR PREVIOUS RETREATS ~
