Join us in Umbria, Italy
You are warmly invited to lay down the pace of ordinary life and step in to something slower, softer and deeply nourishing - a few days held in the beautiful hills of Umbria, Italy to paint, to enjoy good company and to be nourished with exquisite food and beauty.
Week 1 - June 20-26, 2027
Week 2 - June 27-July 3, 2027
An unforgettable watercolor retreat experience with Sarah Simon
Delve into the foundations of this beautiful art form with dedicated time for drawing and painting practice, questions, and creation. These beauty-filled days of creativity are perfect for anyone with a passion for creating; all that is required of you is the curiosity and desire to create! This is not just about learning techniques; it is a chance to connect with a vibrant community of fellow artists in a beautiful space designed to spark inspiration. Excellent art supplies and delicious food will be provided, ensuring everything needed to focus on creative flow. We cannot wait to create with you!
ALL ARE WELCOME HERE
Are you a beginner?
Ignite your artistic journey! Explore a unique approach to confidently express yourself through drawing and painting, and find joy in the learning experience while savoring the process of developing your skills
Are you more experienced?
Elevate your expertise! Come explore new creative avenues and innovative ways to unleash your artistic voice, and find a fresh approach to creativity, expressing your distinct style while expanding and delving deeper into what you can create
Have you strayed away from art?
Are you yearning to reconnect with your artistic self? Rekindle your curiosity, and discover a vibrant way to cultivate your creative stride by refining your skills and establishing a new dedicated rhythm, all while rediscovering the joy of watching paint move and shine in a community of like-minded artists
FOUNDATIONALLY FOCUSED
A Creative Way Art Retreat is your chance to dive into the vibrant world of watercolor, nourishing and building your artistic practice.
This retreat provides a beautiful setting to escape, find your creative rhythm, and connect with a supportive community. You'll experience the unique peace that comes from dedicated creative time and deep artistic engagement. These light-filled days truly invite a special settling that only dedicated creating time can.
Learn Sarah's proven and expert watercolor techniques, explore guided projects, and develop a lasting creative practice. Sarah will guide you with expertise, sharing her own artistic evolution and methods, including brush techniques, color mixing, composition, still life, and sketching.
This experience is crafted to help you discover your personal style and unique artistic voice, relate with fellow creatives forging meaningful connections, and enjoy the satisfaction of creating in a beautiful place, surrounded by good food, engaging conversation, and inspiration.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
Six nights at a stunning and tastefully renovated convent near Todi, Italy
Five days of art instruction and creative exploring with Sarah Simon
Wonderful meals prepared by Ashley Rodriguez inspired by the local region
High-end art supplies curated especially for this retreat
An unforgettable artistic experience with like minded creatives
take me to
A Creative Way Italy
$8,500
All rooms are private and bathrooms are shared with one other guest.
A $1,000 non-refundable deposit secures your spot at the 2027 ACW Retreat in Italy and will be applied to your total retreat cost. Remaining balance will be billed in 5 installment payments of $1,500 in September/October/November/December 2026 and final payment due January 2027.
Please see the detailed cancellation policy below.
save my spot:
The Creative Team
Sarah (The Mint Gardener), Brooke and Kristi (StudioLife) are The Creative Team behind A Creative Way Watercolor Retreats. We have been collaborating on classes, workshops and retreats since 2018 and love all the aspects of planning and creating beautiful settings for creatives to gather. All details are thoughtfully curated for an immersive experience where attendees can give way to the creative experience.
Reach out to us at hello@studiolifeseattle.com with any questions you have about the retreat experience. We would love to have a conversation with you.
We can’t wait to get to know you and create with you!
Incontra the Chef…
Ashley Rodriguez
Ash Rodriguez is a Seattle-based award winning food writer and photographer. She is the author of three cookbooks; Date Night In, Let’s Stay In, and Rooted Kitchen (Spring ‘24). She is the host and co-creator of the James Beard nominated series, Kitchen Unnecessary; an online series which uncovers the world of wild foods through foraging, fishing and regenerative harvesting. Ash and her work have been featured in Outside Magazine, Food & Wine, Saveur, Epicurious, Edible Seattle and many more. She is a graduate of and guide for Seminary of the Wild Earth through the Center for Wild Spirituality and a certified Nature and Forest Therapy guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides.
When not eating, or talking and writing about food and nature you can find her foraging, fly fishing, feeding her sourdough starter and spending as much time outside as possible. She believes the outdoors is a place to be fed both physically and spiritually.
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A Creative Way Opportunities
Join Sarah, TheMintGardener in
Seattle
october 15-18, 2026
Flowertown
november 5-8, 2026
Join us!
We hope to create art, beauty, community and lasting memories with you.
Additional Details
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Secure a spot to the retreat with a non-refundable deposit of $1,000. Payment links for remaining your remaining balance will be sent to you by Brooke & Kristi at StudioLife. The remaining balance can be made in 3 equal installments by December 1, January 1 and February 1.
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Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon, settle in and explore the villa before the welcome dinner.
Day 2 - 6: Full days of painting, including a few creative excursions. All meals & drinks provided at the villa and in town (more detailed schedule provided upon registration).
Day 7: Depart mid-morning
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Transportation to Italy is not included in the ticket price for the retreat. Your flights are the responsibility of the guest.
ACW Retreats will provide transportation from Rome to the villa mid-day on the first day of the retreat. Guests can also arrive at the villa on their own on the afternoon of the arrival day if they are traveling elsewhere and the pick up in Rome is not convenient. Transportation back to Rome on the final day is also provided for those who are interested.
Detailed information provided to registered attendees. -
Due to the highly creative and collaborative coordination that events like this require ahead of time, the Hosts cannot offer refunds.
The deposit and retreat payments are non-refundable. Should the participant be unable to make the event, the participant can gift their ticket to a friend! The participant can make arrangements and notify Brooke and Kristi of StudioLife.
The participant may also choose to defer the non-refundable deposit to another A Creative Way retreat within one calendar year.
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Please contact the creative team from StudioLife (Kristi & Brooke) with any retreat detail related questions at hello@studiolifeseattle.com
A Creative Way Testimonials
The opportunity to join Studio Life and The Mint Gardener at a Creative Way Art Retreat is not to be missed! The week is filled with so many moments of creative inspiration—from classroom instruction to outdoor experiences—you’ll come away ready to tackle whatever is next for you. I hope to do it again someday!
- Kim
The opportunity to join StudioLife and The Mint Gardener at a Creative Way Art Retreat is not to be missed! The week is filled with so many moments of creative inspiration—from classroom instruction to outdoor experiences—you’ll come away ready to tackle whatever is next for you. I hope to do it again someday!
- Sandra
It was truly one of my best life experiences. The energy, creativity, passion and kindness filled my soul. Thank you to you and all the hard work that was put in to curate such an event. Every detail and hard work to implement your vision was noticed and appreciated every day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
-Heather