I Need Some Whimsy Right Now: The Wonderment Weekend
The Wonderment Weekend
A celebration of art and whimsy
Are you a curious creative? Do you dare to play? Would making more time just for you bring you more joy? Join us for a whimsical journey to open your heart and mind. Explore with abandon as we engage the artist within through discover, practice and creativity.
With each class you’ll play with new mediums, work through a variety of projects, and connect with others on their wonderment journey. Imagine awe-filled days in an enchanted bungalow with other creative souls. A leisurely pace of inspiring experiences, sharing, making and lots of play.
Creativity helps us break free from modern living and provides a fresh perspective for renewed vitality. This weekend is an opportunity to make time to love yourself, radical acceptance through embracing joy. We shall summon our secret strengths, our creative genius, and live boldy from the heart.
THE EXPERIENCES
Open Hands
Finding Flow is an adventure from head to heart to hands. Through intention setting warmups we will dive into the Open Hand concept. To truly open our minds and hearts, we must release control and be receptive to our unlimited potential. Open Hands reminds us what is truly important, our relationship with ourselves and then ultimately others. We will use monoprinting, collage, and mixed media to express our intention for the weekend.
Sparks of joy shall fly…
Stars of Joy
Reach high, for stars that lie hidden in your soul. Day two is all about finding and telling our story. What do we hold dear? Who are we at our core? What do we need to express? What would we like to share with the world? Exploring the limitless possibilities of ‘zines* we will create mini works of wonder. Through the beauty of your authentic self, and untethered joy, the whimsical you will emerge.
Find the joie de vivre in flow state and immerse yourself in your truth. The world needs your voice, your heart, your magic.
*zines (zeen): a handmade booklet distributed in small quantities for the purpose of sharing your ideas and perspectives. This DIY platform is perfect for art, niche interests and personal stories.
YOUR WEEKEND ITINERARY
The retreat kicks off Thursday evening with check-in, swag bags, light snacks, and fun make-and-take projects to ease us into a creative weekend.
Friday is a full day of immersive mixed-media exploration, featuring two in-depth workshops focused on gelli plate printing, painting techniques, building rich layers, and combining new and vintage ephemera through creative collage. After class, enjoy an exclusive after-hours shopping experience at The Paper Seahorse, followed by an evening of free time for crafty play and connection.
On Saturday, we’ll continue our journey with two dedicated blocks of zine-making, guiding you from introduction all the way to a finished piece. The day wraps up with another relaxed evening of crafty play and additional make-and-takes.
Lunch will be catered on both Friday and Saturday, and all supplies are provided. We’ll spend nearly two full days learning, creating, and connecting with fellow art makers—welcoming both beginners and experienced creatives alike.
WHERE TO STAY AND WHAT TO DO WHILE YOU ARE HERE WITH US
Discover cool places to stay and things to see and do while you are here with us in this blog post.
YOUR GUIDES
Tona Bell - "Things that haven’t been done before, those are the things to try."
Specializing in the impossible. We need a little nonsense now and then.
Tona is a teacher, aspiring author, and creative soul who encourages everyone to step away from the screens and keep in touch with themselves and others. She is the co-founder of The Tampa Bay Letter Writers, a group of rogue writers who are not afraid to put down their phones and use snail mail to communicate.
She has taught creative experiences at The International Festival of the Arts at Disney World, Squam Art Workshops in New Hampshire, and New York Stationery Fest.
She is also the creative director and founder of The Paper Seahorse, a studio based in Tampa, Florida, that is dedicated to creative and mindful pursuits. Through online and in person workshops and retreats, the studio is a haven for community and resource for connections.
Tona believes that we all need to put pen to paper and use our hands to express what is in our heads and hearts. She is surrounded by a team of dynamic cats and birds that help her connect to the magic of everyday.
Caroline Martinez "Creativity is such a deeply personal experience, let it be authentically yours."
Expert-level eclectic. Follow your artistic intuition, mix style, color, and pattern…be bold!
Caroline is an energetic, crafty lady—wife, mom, and lifelong artist-on-the-side—who approaches creativity with joyful freedom and a love for all things colorful and eclectic. With a passion for documenting and drawn to vintage treasures, bright pastels, a maximalist design aesthetic, she moves from project to project, always exploring new ideas. Over the years she has experimented with countless mediums, but paper crafting and journaling have remained at the heart of her work. Caroline’s signature style blends color, texture, and both old and new ephemera into pieces that feel effortless, personal, and full of character. When she’s not creating, you can find her thrifting for inspiration, listening to rock music, watching scary movies, and enjoying life with the incredible people—and pets—who make her feel truly lucky.
Save your spot now. Register here.
"The Paper Seahorse is a magical and special place where dreams are alive. Imagination runs wild and enchantment is in the air." - Tammy D.
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