Inspired by the novel, Tona Bell invited the book’s author, Elizabeth Duvivier, to co-host a maker’s weekend of JOY, PLAY, and TRANSFORMATION. The Sisters Retreat is grounded in the book's themes of friendship, sisterhood and the power of creativity to help us through the dark times of our lives.
Another fun layer of this collaboration, is that in the book the two best friends live next door to each other in 1900 New England Victorians, and this beautiful workshop will be hosted in the side-by-side 1917 craftsman bungalows that are called “the sisters”— the home of The Paper Seahorse studios which has been welcoming creative seekers from around the world for ten years.
The lush tropical setting of this historic Tampa neighborhood will add to our inspiration. We will convene in bright sunlit rooms, on wide porches, and in the shaded gardens of the two sister bungalows that are protected by the graceful arms of live oak trees.
Friday, January 31st - Sunday, February 2nd 2025
THE SISTERS RETREAT:
Have you ever sent a wish up to the sky for everything to stop so you could pause, regroup, clear the slate, get a rest—a deep reset—and start again?
Did the past year feel like one endless cycle of overwhelm?
We feel you. Our current world is designed to attract and capture our attention, energy, and spirit in ways that don’t always serve us. You are not alone. But we have a lovely antidote: a dreamy weekend lined up with all the best elements in place for you to reconnect with your inner calm and reignite your creative spark.
Creativity can help us to break free from and provide fresh perspective on the heavy situations in our lives. This gathering is designed to help us reignite our creative imagination and recalibrate our energies so that whatever transitions we are moving through will be wrapped in calm, joy and ease.
The Sisters Retreat is a lovely opportunity to step away from the busy world and drop into the rich inner world that holds all the answers to what we need most. In addition to wonderful workshops, there will be healing food, opportunities for meditation and yoga, photo walks as well as plenty of time to sit, knit, sketch, or simply be.
Join us for this beautiful gathering. Our intention is that you will leave this weekend feeling buoyant and vibrant and ready to carry all that goodness into your daily life.
WORKSHOPS:
Finding Flow
An experiential journey from the head to the heart to the hands. Through a series of engaging, unexpected hands-on activities you will learn how to break the cycle that limits exploration and shift your state of mind to one of creative flow. This workshop is more doing than talking, more feeling than analyzing and will help you connect to your natural playful, curious self. A variety of creative immersive activities will develop your confidence and ignite your innate ability to return to a peaceful, calm, creative center.
Creating Your Own Myth
This workshop is about connecting to our Hridaya, our spiritual heart – the heart within our heart. From there, we will explore the myth we have been living/telling ourselves (and the world) that no longer feels true for us. Through a series of intuitive prompts —mixed media play + journaling—we will reclaim the story that is genuinely ours. This will enable us to clarify and define the life we want to live and bring it into being.
Making mandalas is a magical practice. In particular, mandalas enliven wholeness, unity, connection and harmony. On Sunday we will bring closure to the weekend by creating a group mandala. After inner excavation, it is incredibly healing to come together and remember all the ways we are not alone, but sisters on this journey.
Step away from the demands and challenges of every day. Invite your soul sister along. Join us as we start the new year fresh and bring our sweet selves into our best alignment for the days and months ahead!
Learn more about Elizabeth Duvivier, her writing and Squam Art Workshops.
Learn more about Tona K. Bell and her mission.
Weekend Cost: $995 USD, a deposit of $350 is due at the time of registration. Remainder to be paid on December 2, 2024 (after December 2nd, payment in full.) Includes all materials, supplies, two lunches, coffee and tea/refreshments daily. Welcome kit and all workshops.
Note: You must click through to "checkout" to see the deposit of $350 only is being paid. It will show the full amount, however it is only for the $350 deposit due upon registering.
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Plan Your Visit: Read our blog post Things To See + Places To Stay for detailed information when you visit us.
Cancellation + Refund: Due to the intimate nature of this event, the $350 deposit to reserve your space is non-refundable. Remainder of $645 will be paid by December 2, 2024. All requests for refunds (minus the deposit) must be received in writing before December 2, 2024. After that date there are no refunds without exception. NOTE: There is the option to have someone else take your spot, however we must be notified in advance and in writing of all changes before January 31, 2024. In the case of acts of God, war, disaster or unforeseen circumstances, The Paper Seahorse reserves the right to reschedule this event.
Release + Waiver: By registering for this event, you have read the above policy information and agree to assume all risk of personal harm or injury relating to or resulting from your presence on the premises of The Paper Seahorse, and/or your participation in any workshop or activity associated with The Sisters Retreat. You release and hold harmless The Paper Seahorse LLC its staff, volunteers and instructors, as to liability for any such harm or injury. You agree that this is a contract and that it expresses your intent to release prospective negligence claims and all other claims for personal injuries.
***Note: You must click through to "checkout" to see that the deposit of $350 only is being paid. It will show the full amount however it is only for $350 deposit due today.Or you have the option to pay in full.***