“The creative path is entirely about open minded curiosity.” — Elizabeth Gilbert
Where do our stories come from?
How do we bring them to life in words and images?
A Day Long Virtual Retreat
Hosted by Sky Lake Meditation Center
Saturday, May 3 10 AM - 6 PM ET
Spend a day with writer Victress Hitchcock and artist Barbara Bash exploring the world of memory, through contemplation, words, and images. Come play in the virtual space of non-conceptual creativity!
In this one-day on-line retreat we will use prompted and free writing exercises, blind contour drawing, mapping and brush gestures to deepen our connection with moments from our lives and find ways to tell our stories in embodied language and visual images.
The retreat is open to everyone. No experience in writing or drawing is necessary. The cost is $125.
The evening before the day-long retreat, Friday evening May 2 at 7:30 PM ET, there will be an optional introductory on-line book event:
During this 90-minute event, Victress will read from her memoir A Tree with My Name On It: Finding a Way Home, followed by a conversation with Barbara Bash about the process of writing memoir. There will be a time for Q&A and signed copies of the book will be available to order. The evening is included in the cost of the day-long retreat or is available as a stand-alone event for a suggested donation of $25.
Registration is open on the Sky Lake website:
https://skylake.secure.retreat.guru/program/awake-mind-write-draw-contemplate/
SAVE THE DATE !
Living Memoir
A Weekend Retreat at Drala Mountain Center
September 26-28, 2025
Come spend a weekend meditating, writing, wandering, reflecting and sharing your stories
in the wild and rugged land of Drala Mountain Center in Colorado.
Registration Information Coming Soon!
Past Workshops
Calligrapher and artist Barbara Bash and Victress offered their first weekend AWAKE MIND: Write-Draw-Contemplate retreat in 2021. They have continued each October since with a weekend or day long virtual retreat.
“I’m always amazed at the depth of insight that comes from participating in Awake Mind… I learn something about myself and the world..” — Catherine H.
“The workshop was powerful for me. It took me into places I would never have gone on my own. I felt brave and supported.” — Eloise M.
“I appreciated all you both offered to this retreat - your wisdom, creativity and generosity. I especially enjoyed writing and drawing the haiku..” — Nora
In June 2023 Victress led an in-person weekend retreat with the help of painter/writer Irma Velasquez in Sebastopol, California. A small group of women spent two days together writing, meditating, painting and dancing as they reflected on what is means to grow older.
I felt so nourished by the weekend
The activities and the company.
Thank you. — Lea B.
I am loving bringing more awareness of each moment into
my daily life at home. — Gena M.
It was an amazing retreat. Thank you for the care and thought
you gave as you took us through the process. — Irma V.
"It was absolutely inspiring, mind-blowing, and an awakening experience for me.” — Fitri
"I loved Victress's relaxed informative style. I really had fun and felt greatly supported writing." — Becca
"I appreciated her presence, sense of humor, and knowledge of subject matter."
— C.R.