Retreat Description:

Join our shibori creative retreat in Southwest France and learn and practice the traditional Japanese dyeing technique called Shibori! Learn new skills, make new friends, and create beautiful works of art that reflect your unique vision and creativity in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Artist Donna Vokes will guide you through the various techniques, including clamp resist, binding, twisting, folding, or compressing fabric before dyeing it to create intricate and beautiful patterns on your fabrics.

At the end of the retreat, we will host a group exhibition to showcase the beautiful pieces we have created together. This is a chance to share your work with others, connect with fellow artists, and celebrate our collective creativity.

In addition to learning the art of shibori, participants can also enjoy the serene and peaceful atmosphere of the retreat and location. We will take excursions to a local French market, where you can discover the region’s food, crafts, and culture. We will also visit a chocolatier to sample some of the area’s delicious chocolate, and enjoy a wine tasting to experience some of the region’s famous wines.

This retreat is perfect for those wanting to try something new or build their confidence working with textiles and dye. Tuition will involve step-by-step demonstrations, hands on practice and experimentation.

Retreat Itinerary:

Arrive Monday 25^th Sept,

Enjoy a welcome buffet, room allocation and tour of the retreat.

Leisure time till evening meal at 7.30pm.

There will be no formal tuition on this day.

Tuesday 26^th

8.30 – 9.30am Breakfast served.

9.30 -12.30 Studio tuition tuition – Donna will introduce shibori and the schedule for the week.

12.30 -1.30 lunch

1.30 – 4pm Free time / Open studio – Guests are free to work on own projects. Donna will be on hand.

4pm – leisure time 7pm Dinner

Wednesday 27th

8.30 -9.30am Breakfast served.

9.30 -12.30 Studio tuition

12.30 -1.30 lunch

1.30 – 4pm. Free time / Open studio – Guests are free to work on own projects. Donna will be on hand.

4pm leisure time 7 pm Dinner

Thursday 28th

8.30-9.30 breakfast.

9.30-11am Studio tuition

11.15 Set off for wine tasting, picnic lunch, followed by group visit to Bergerac till 3pm.

3.30- 5.30 Free time / Open studio – Guests are free to work on own projects. Donna will be on hand.

5.30 free time. 7pm Dinner

Friday 29th

8.30-9.30 Breakfast.

9.30-12.30 Studio tuition

12.30-1.30 Lunch

2pm is it to local chocolataire

3.15 Free time / Open studio – Guests are free to work on own projects. Donna will not be on hand this afternoon.

Dinner out at local restaurant with host/ teacher.

Saturday 30th

8.30-9.30 breakfast .

9.40 Leave for visit at local French market

11.30 Return to retreat.

11.45 – 1pm Studio tuition

1-2pm Lunch

2-4pm Free time / Open studio – Guests are free to work on own projects. Donna will be on hand.

4pm Free time.

7pm Dinner

Sunday 1st Oct

8.30-9.30 Breakfast.

9.30 Open studio – Guests are free to work on own projects. Donna will be on hand / Prepare for the exhibition / Final group get together 12pm.

12.30-1.30 Lunch

2-4pm Exhibition in Barn Studio for the public, includes a glass of wine.

4pm onwards

Monday 2nd

8.30-9.30 Breakfast and a fond farewell .

Transfers to Bergerac airport/station.

Inclusions:
Twin & Triple Share accommodation at Haven on the Hill with en-suite/private bathroom. All rooms have a hairdryer, guest and pool towels and wifi.
All meals (except 1 evening meal out at a local restaurant paid for by the guest) Refreshments throughout the day.
Art materials
Morning visit to a traditional French market.
Trip to Bergerac town.
Visit to a local chocolatier
Use of pool, table tennis & archery.
Use of bikes.
6 days tuition with artist Donna Vokes.
7 nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast, lunches and 6 dinners included.
Transfers from Bergerac airport or train station. Please note if you change your travel plans at short notice or need transfers to or from a different train/airport these may not be included.
There is tea and coffee available complimentary during the day made in the Gite kitchen by guests as and when they would like it.

Each guest will be given a card for additional extras like drinks, massages etc which we ask guests to settle their account prior to departure. Please be aware that Haven on the Hill do not take cards for payment and cash will also be needed on the group evenings out in order to be able to pay the bill as many restaurants won’t split bills. (There are many atms around.)

Please have a look at the menus online for the restaurants mentioned and advise us whether you will be joining us on those evening dinners or doing your own thing so that we can make the appropriate bookings. Restaurants chosen have been popular locations for the yoga and painting groups in past retreats. If you have specific dietary requirements we may need to advise in advance.

Please remember to bring any medication that you need with you… it may seem obvious, but they have been forgotten before.

What’s not included:

Flights

Travel insurance

Alcohol – Wine will be served during your evening meal at cost price if you would like to try our local wines.

1 evening meal at a local restaurant paid for by the guest.

Body massages are on offer in Wendy’s onsite therapy room. Guest price 40€ for 1 hour, using essential oils.

Wine tasting, Approx 5€

Cost and booking process:
Full cost: 995 Euros per person.
To confirm your booking, a deposit of 100 Euro is to be paid via direct bank transfer and return of the booking form. The remaining balance of 895 Euros is due by 29th July 2023.

Cancellation Policy:
Due to limited class size, payment is non-refundable. If you register for the workshop and are unable to attend, if there is a waiting list of students that has formed and we can fill the position, you will receive a refund. If you are unable to attend and there is no waiting list, we will unfortunately be unable to provide refunds.
If the organiser finds it necessary to cancel the workshop due to low enrolment, or government lockdowns, registered students will be contacted and be refunded the full course tuition paid. Please ensure you have travel insurance to cover you if you are unable to travel due to Covid-19, or any other reason