What is a Wayfaring?
There is a strange mythology we have come to believe: that Art — with a capital A — belongs only to the specially gifted. The visionary. The trained. The few.
We disagree entirely.
Creating is not a talent reserved for the chosen. It is a calling we ALL feel inside of us. It is what we are all meant to do, in whatever form our curiosity and proclivities take. The painter. The cook. The photographer. The writer. The dreamer who hasn't yet found their medium. All of us are makers at heart — and all of us need our senses freshened. Awakened. Reminded of what it feels like to truly see.
That is what The Wayfarers is for.
What is a Wayfaring?
A Wayfaring is a different kind of travel. Not a tour. Not a retreat. Something altogether its own.
It is a few days spent experiencing a city the way an artist does — slowly, curiously, with all of your senses fully alive. We will wander cobblestoned streets and linger in markets together. We will pause to notice the way light falls on timeworn gardens, and that particular green of moss between ancient stones, the spice in a dish that we already know we'll be dreaming about when we get home. We look — really look — at what is actually there, rather than rushing past it.
Travel has so many remarkable powers in our lives, but a favorite is that it removes routine. It dismantles the part of our brain that scans our surroundings and dismisses them with a familiar, weary been there, done that. In an unfamiliar place, mystery returns to our moments. Our senses wake up. We step away from the anxiety-heavy, results-driven ‘get things done’ thinking of our left brain and into something richer — the open, inclusive, wildly creative right brain that can access everything, and collaborate with the full breadth of who we are.
When you find yourself wondering how you would mix that shade of green, or how you'd use this spice at home, or reaching for your camera because the light on that statue is just so — you are there. You are in it.
That is the Wayfaring state of mind.
Each Wayfaring is curated with intention by a small team of creatives who share one goal: to help you experience a place as a living, breathing work of art.
We move through the city on foot — slowly, because the best things are always discovered at a walking pace. We seek not just the museums but the art of the place itself — its light, its flavor, its texture, its story. What is the theme of this city? What does it taste like, smell like, feel like underfoot? These are our questions.
Your one creative assignment each day is simple: collect a few beautiful moments. A photograph. A sketch. A scribbled note. A color you want to remember. A few windows into the soul of a place, gathered in whatever way feels most natural to you.
What we do together
Join us for our first stop as we wayfare in…
Charleston, SC
Introducing A Creative Wayfare: Charleston.
This is a curated creative experience for anyone hungry for beauty, connection, and a life more fully lived. It is not just a travel experience, it’s not quite an art retreat…it is something altogether its own. We will wander cities through an artist's eye — and bring the journey home through watercolor, cooking, and community. This is a new kind of retreat where we can be wayfarers together exploring while noticing the color palette and the flavor palette of the region.
What if travel could slow down long enough to truly see?
This is an invitation to wander together through one of America’s most storied and beautiful cities — not as tourists moving from landmark to landmark, but as artists basking in every detail. The scent of flowers and saltwater drifting down the cobblestone streets. The light falling through Spanish moss. The taste of food that carries generations of history. We will move through Charleston the way artists do — slowly, curiously, with all our senses open — gathering inspiration, stories, and beauty as the seeds of future creative work.
This is an experience for women of all ages who long to travel differently — in community, without rush, on foot and with wonder as your compass.
The emphasis will be to experience a place for the point of creative inspiration - to photograph what catches your eye, fuel your creative practice and savor the kind of conversation that happens when creatives explore a place together and experience a travelers version of flow.
The retreat will continue virtually in the months afterwards as we meet live to draw and paint from our experience together. We hope to build the skill of savoring a travel experience through our art.
Who is this retreat for?
A Creative Wayfare is for women in every season and stage. Come alone and find yourself welcomed in to a warm community or bring the friend, sister, mother or daughter you want to get some time with.
This is an invitation to travel slowly and move through a place the way artists do. We will move slowly, eat well, savor experiences and gather the kind of beauty you can carry home long after the journey ends. This trip is for artists, food lovers, photographers, designers, dreamers and anyone who has ever looked at their life and thought: I want to notice more and let it inspire my own creativity. Come be a wayfarer with us - A community of people interested in savoring travel experiences.
What if your next trip didn't just take you somewhere beautiful — but brought you back to yourself?
Come Wayfare with us…
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Learn what came before
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Notice the color palette
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Look longer at the details
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Experience the flavor palette
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Borrow eachother's perspective
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Explore on foot
Itinerary
Charleston’s rich history, breathtaking architecture and Lowcountry soul make it a wonderful backdrop for this kind of immersive, unhurried experience.
Nov 9: Welcome dinner together
Nov 10: Historical tour, lunch, explore, dinner
Nov 11: Historical tour, lunch, explore, dinner
All details will be provided once registered.
I would like to join
A Creative Wayfare: Charleston
$2,500
A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your place at the 2026 Wayfare: Charleston and will be applied to your total retreat cost.
Please see the detailed cancelation policy below.
What is included
Dinner and lunches Monday evening through Wednesday evening.
Two historical tours
Creative inspiration and new friends
What is not included
Transportation to and from Charleston
Guests need to set up their own accommodations. A list of suggested hotels will be provided after registering.
Breakfasts before our days start together
Accessibility
Walking is central to our Charleston experience. Our days will include exploring alleys and cobblestone streets primarily on foot as we take in the history and creative inspiration.
Sarah (The Mint Gardener), Ashley (@ashrod), Brooke and Kristi (StudioLife) are the creative team behind Wayfare: Charleston. 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.
We can’t wait to be with you!
The Wayfare Team
Additional details
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The cost of A Creative Wayfare: Charleston is $2,500, which includes a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure a spot.
Payment links for remaining balance will be sent to you by Brooke & Kristi at StudioLife. The remaining balance can be paid in two payments by August 1, 2026 and September 1, 2026.
All lunches, dinners and activities are included in the cost.
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Nov 9: Welcome dinner together
Nov 10: Historical tour, lunch, explore, dinner
Nov 11: Historical tour, lunch, explore, dinner
All details will be provided once registered.
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Transportation and lodging are not included in the ticket price for this trip. Both transportation and lodging will be the responsibility of the attendee,
Once registered, you will receive more information including local hotel recommendations! -
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 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
Other Opportunities…
Join Sarah Simon, TheMintGardener, for A Creative Way Watercolor Retreat
A Creative Way: Seattle
Oct 15-18, 2026
A Creative Way: Flowertown
November 5-8, 2026