NEW!

SEPTEMBER 25-28, 2025

Watercolor + Wonder

A Women’s Retreat for Rest, Renewal & Creativity

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

A collage of watercolor paintings, a person holding their chest, watercolor supplies, a lake with Adirondack chairs, a person kayaking at sunset, candles, and watercolor paintings of flowers and abstract designs.

AT BEAUTIFUL LAKE SANTEETLAH

What would it be like to nurture your creative soul in a beautiful lakefront setting for a spacious stretch of days? This retreat will give you permission to do just that, while connecting with other curious creatives & benefitting from the calming art of watercolor painting.

We invite you to discover how watercolor is more than a medium, it’s a practice in presence, flow, and gentle exploration. Through guided exercises, we’ll slow down, tune into our creative voice, and embrace the natural flow of making art. This retreat is an opportunity to calm the nervous system, develop a sustainable self-care practice, and find joy in the process of painting!

NOTE: LATE SEPTEMBER AT SANTEETLAH IS PRIME LAKE TIME ~ WARM TEMPS. & WARM WATER!

Smiling blonde woman leaning on a white porch railing in a navy blouse, outdoors in bright sunlight

Meet Your Guest Artist,

Katie White

We are so thrilled to host Tampa-based, watercolor artist Katie White- who will guide us through a weekend of creative discovery, helping us let go of expectations and explore with curiosity and ease. Whether you're new to watercolor or an experienced artist, WATERCOLOR + WONDER offers a restorative weekend of inspiration, connection, and artistic growth with Katie and Kristen. We can’t wait to welcome you!

We look forward to welcoming you and hosting you!

YOUR LAKEFRONT SETTING:

RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS

2 FULL DAYS OF Watercolor Painting Lessons with Katie White

Individual attention and feedback from Katie

A chance to ask a professional artist a gallerist your art business questions

Free time for personal exploration and relaxation

Pontoon outings on the lake; OR kayak, swim, canoe

Evening social gatherings to discuss art and share experiences

A special closing circle to share your experiences and show your favorite creations

Spaces are limited to ensure an intimate and engaging experience for all participants.

A blue-gray surface with a white cup of coffee on a saucer, a spoon, and a small bowl of green fruit, possibly a lime, in the background.

What’s

Included

Three Nights at a Private, Spacious 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.  Accommodations will be at one of two beautiful lakefront homes.

2 Days of Guided Painting Experiences (Friday & Saturday)

As your guide for the weekend, artist and educator Katie White 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

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

Drawing inspiration from the plentiful, lush beauty of Lake Santeetlah, the local landscape & tranquility of the water, our natural surroundings will be our inspiration, influencing our color and subject choices throughout our time together.

Community and Connection

Connect with fellow women creatives in a nurturing environment at group dinners, creative circles and a special evening of shared artist stories.

Relaxing at 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. Outings on the pontoon, to enjoy the lake’s beautiful shoreline and setting will be offered on Friday & Saturday, for those interested. 

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.

NOTE: Food sensitivity accommodations in our menu planning will depend on the number of people in our group that have specific sensitivities. If you have questions in advance, please reach out here!

NOTE: Transportation is not included However, 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 Kristen here, if you have questions about arrival logistics.

NOTE: CANCELLATION POLICY Due to the amount of preparation and expense that goes into creating these retreats, we are NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE REFUNDS. In the event that you cannot make it, and you wish to transfer your spot to someone you know, we will allow this IF YOU NOTIFY US IN ADVANCE. However, it will be your responsibility to find your replacement, and to handle any payment to you for your retreat ticket on your own.  As a courtesy, we are happy to announce your ticket opening to anyone who has signed up for a waitlist.

Close-up of watercolor paints and a partially painted watercolor paper with abstract design.

Early Bird Pricing -through June 15

$1700 - $2750

Includes your lakefront accommodations, all meals, all art supplies, art instruction from Katie, guided creative circles + sunset lake cruises.

4 SINGLE OCCUPANCY and 7 DOUBLE OCCUPANCY spots are available

View of a lake with rippling water, surrounded by green trees and forested hills under a blue sky with scattered clouds. A house is visible on the right shoreline.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival ,Welcome & Connection
Guest Arrival (from 3:00 pm to 5:00pm)
Happy Hour & Opening Circle
Welcome Dinner

Sunset Lake Cruise

Day 2: Art-making, Restoration, Nourishment & Connection
Morning Meditative Walk or Gentle Yoga at the Dock
Continental Breakfast/ Coffee/Tea
Watercolor Painting with Katie:
Lunch
Porch Painting / Happy Hour

Optional Lake time: paddle, swim, float = bliss
Catered Dinner

Sunset Lake Cruise

Day 3 :
Art-making, Restoration, Nourishment & Connection
Morning Meditative Walk or Gentle Yoga at the Dock
Continental Breakfast/ Coffee/ Tea
Watercolor Painting with Katie: Nature’s Inspiration
Lunch
Watercolor painting with Katie

Optional Lake time: paddle, swim, float = bliss
Catered Dinner

Sunset Lake Cruise

Day 4: Restoration, Nourishment & Connection
Morning Meditative Walk or Gentle Lake Paddle- kayak (optional)
Catered Brunch/ Coffee/ Tea
Closing Circle: sharing of experiences & art work
Departure 1:00 pm

For those interested, an optional additional night may be added for day 4, September 28th. The retreat experience will conclude at 1:00 pm on Sunday 9/28, but with the additional night you would be able to use the studio and enjoy the lake on your own if you would like. Inquire here for details.

Each all-inclusive retreat ticket =$1500 + your lakefront accommodations (Early Bird pricing $400 off through June 15 = $1700 -$2750 total cost)

YOU WILL FIND THE TOTAL PRICE - INCLUDING ACCOMMODATIONS - REFLECTED IN EACH TICKET LISTING

SECURE YOUR EARLY BIRD SPOT!

Watercolor + Wonder: Women's Art Retreat at Lake Santeetlah

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Cove Lakehouse: Double occupancy (king) with en suite bathroom + private screened deck
Sale Price:$2,300.00 Original Price:$2,700.00
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Cove Lakehouse: Double occupancy (twin) with en suite bathroom + private screened deck
Sale Price:$2,100.00 Original Price:$2,500.00
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Cove Lakehouse: Double occupancy (full bed) with en suite bathroom SOLD OUT
Sale Price:$2,050.00 Original Price:$2,450.00
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Cove Lakehouse: Double occupancy (full bed) with en suite bathroom
Sale Price:$2,050.00 Original Price:$2,450.00
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Stillwater Lakehouse: Single occupancy (king) w/ private en suite bathroom + lakefront deck SOLD OUT
Sale Price:$2,750.00 Original Price:$3,150.00
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Stillwater Lakehouse: Single occupancy (king) with private en suite bathroom + lakefront deck SOLD OUT
Sale Price:$2,500.00 Original Price:$2,900.00
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Stillwater Lakehouse: Single occupancy (king) with shared Jack & Jill bathroom
Sale Price:$2,300.00 Original Price:$2,700.00
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Stillwater Lakehouse: Single occupancy (king) with shared Jack & Jill bathroom
Sale Price:$2,300.00 Original Price:$2,700.00
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Stillwater Lakehouse: Single occupancy (queen) with shared bathroom
Sale Price:$2,100.00 Original Price:$2,500.00
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Stillwater Lakehouse: Double occupancy (full bed) with shared bathroom
Sale Price:$1,800.00 Original Price:$2,200.00
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Stillwater Lakehouse: Double occupancy (full bed) with shared bathroom
Sale Price:$1,800.00 Original Price:$2,200.00
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Retreat Testomonials

Welcome! I’m Kristen Edge, owner of ArtPlay Gallery & Studio in Asheville, NC. I am so excited to be sharing this retreat opportunity with you & to host Katie White as our guest artist!

Please feel free to reach out to me here with any questions you may have about this retreat. I look forward to hosting you!