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Upcoming Retreats
Choose Your Retreat
ABOUT THE RETREAT
A Transformative week of artmaking in the Pacific Northwest
Nestled along the shores of Lake Cowichan, Create & Escape Art Retreats invite artists of all skill levels to step away from the everyday and make space for something new. Surrounded by the forests and still water of Vancouver Island's interior, it's the kind of setting that quiets your mind and opens something up creatively. The perfect place to learn, experiment, and actually make things.
Each retreat is led by working artists who are as passionate about teaching as they are about their craft. Days are shaped around guided instruction, time to practice, and the freedom to follow your own curiosity. Whether you're picking up a new medium for the first time or returning to a practice you've let slip, there's room here for everyone.
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The Vancouver Visual Art Foundation brings together a small, welcoming group of artists for each experience. You'll leave with new skills, finished work to take home, and a renewed enthusiasm for making art.
Retreat Details
Location
Lake Cowichan, Vancouver Island, BC
Duration
8 days / 7 nights (Sat–Sat)
Capacity
Max 8 artists per retreat
Price
$4,350 per person
Accommodation
Private lakehouse
Meals
All included
Skill Level
All levels welcome
Transport
Transfers from Nanaimo or Victoria airport / ferry available
SCHEDULE
The Week at a Glance
Each day is thoughtfully structured to balance guided making, reflection, and the restorative quiet of the island. Click a day to learn more.
Arrival & Welcome
Arrive at the lakehouse and settle into your room.
Explore the property — the private dock, the sauna, the view — before joining your fellow artists for a welcome dinner.
Your instructors will introduce the week ahead and you'll have time to get to know the group over an easy evening.
SCHEDULE
The Week at a Glance
Each day is thoughtfully structured to balance guided making, reflection, and the restorative quiet of the island. Click a day to learn more.
