Mapping The Forest

SPRING Workshop

2025 DATES ANNOUNCED SOON

A Workshop on Creativity, Meditation, and Nature

This workshop focuses on mindful noticing and getting in touch with your creativity. As participants walk through the forest, they will stop to make drawings, notes, and observations. Using a simple pre-made concertina or accordion book as a base, participants will map their forest walk. Natural inks, paints, and collage will be used to track the time spent in the forest. All materials will be provided.

By slowing down and observing nature, reflecting, connecting, and meditating before and during the walk, participants are able to see more clearly. They will return to the workshop space to create a journal of their walk, capturing observations, feelings, and inspirations from nature. This process helps them come in contact with phytoncides within the forest, which lowers blood pressure and has proven effects on reducing anxiety, rumination, and skepticism, as well as increasing feelings of social connectedness.

ACCOMMODATION AND TICKET BUNDLES

TINY WILD HOUSE
SINGLE Participant Bundle – $525 p/night

Includes:

  • Daily breakfast
  • Dinner each evening
  • One ticket for the Mapping The Forest workshop
  • Min/Max 2 night stay
SOLD OUT

TINY WILD HOUSE
TWIN Participant Bundle – $725 p/night

Includes:

  • Daily breakfast
  • Dinner each evening
  • Two tickets for the Mapping The Forest workshop
  • Min/Max 2 night stay
SOLD OUT

SKY LODGE STUDIO
SINGLE Participant Bundle – $550 p/night

Includes:

  • Daily breakfast
  • Dinner each evening
  • One ticket for the Mapping The Forest workshop
  • Min/Max 2 night stay
SOLD OUT

SKY LODGE STUDIO
TWIN Participant Bundle – $750 p/night

Includes:

  • Daily breakfast
  • Dinner each evening
  • Two tickets for the Mapping The Forest workshop
  • Min/Max 2 night stay
SOLD OUT

Add a plus one (non participating guest) to your booking for $75 per night. Call us to add this to your booking.

Retreat only ticket:

SOLD OUT

Wednesday 27 November 2024 – 9am to 3pm

What Will Participants Learn by Attending?

Participants will learn to slow down and observe, and how to put their observations into a creative framework. They will gain time out for themselves and discover ways of honouring their creativity.

Supplies to Bring:

  • Shoes for walking in the forest. While the walk is not a massive hike, it goes through areas that may be muddy if it has rained.
  • A mat or something to sit on in the forest for those who wish to stop and draw.
  • An umbrella or raincoat, just in case.
  • Insect repellent.
  • A hat.

Facilitator: Bronwyn Davies

Bronwyn Davies, after 16 years working in local government and a long career in community cultural development, is returning to her greatest passion: making art that addresses contemporary issues. Her career has included developing cultural policy, reconciliation, heritage, environmental and social projects, advocacy, and peer support. Bronwyn’s arts practice continues these themes on her canvas, in her exhibitions, and through attached events to encourage different perspectives on the world we live in.

Suitable for Ages: 25-70.

Experience required? Participants should have an interest in exploring art mediums, but no experience is required.

Minimum Participants for Event to Operate: 12.

Maximum Participants: 15.

What past participants loved about this workshop:

“I was present all day, exploring creativity.  I feel I delved deeply, I took in the outside world, inhaled it, and let it flow through my fingers onto the paper. Bliss”

What past participants loved about this workshop:

“everything! The slow meditative nature of the walk and gathering”

What past participants loved about this workshop:

“I loved the inks and opportunity to think visually”

What past participants loved about this workshop:

“Using these types of books was really interesting. I love how all the pieces open into one long story”

What past participants loved about this workshop:

“connecting to the full process that bookends the creative practice and how to be present in the whole process. I loved the meditation and walking through the forest”

What past participants loved about this workshop:

“being present and learning to be with the forest and document it”

What past participants loved about this workshop:

“Drawing more and recording what I think about when I’m out in nature”

What past participants loved about this workshop:

“when you focus on something you see more of it and use it for good”

What past participants loved about this workshop:

“getting back to things I love.  The forest, creative people, time to think, decompress and embrace now.”

What past participants loved about this workshop:

“there was. no rush.  Enough time to explore my creativity. Perfect balance between discovering myself and learning new things.”

What past participants loved about this workshop:

“I loved that we were able to integrate our own practice into the books.  The natural pigments were really lovely to work with.  I also really appreciated the conept of mapping the walk and dcounenbting the things that resonated with us”