The Creative Retreat Day was a collaboration between the Neighbourhood Small Grants, the Health Arts Research Centre (supplies), and Pope Mountain Arts (promotion and registration).

Fourteen participants gathered to introduce ourselves in an opening circle, envision the best for 2025, support one another as community, create acrylic flow art, enjoy a warming and delicious lunch together, learn some chair yoga, create a group poem through a prompts exercise, write a creative piece, and share insights from their creativity in a closing circle.

Participants were of all adult ages and from the local community. Several expressed appreciation for a free event as finances were tight. The day began at 9:15 am and concluded at 2:45 pm to accommodate parents and grandparents with children in school. However, most participants savoured the day by spending another half-hour chatting.

During the closing circle we asked, “What was valuable for you today? What would you like to see done differently next time? What suggestions do you have for future events?” These were the responses:

  • Art
  • Community
  • Poetry prompt
  • Chair yoga
  • Good mixture
  • Safe opportunity to try new things when nervous
  • It’s okay to try new stuff
  • It was fun
  • New faces
  • Camaraderie
  • Enjoyment
  • Like-minded people
  • Variety of activities
  • Captivating
  • Community
  • Flow, variety
  • Incentive to get back to arts
  • Great day like today.

Participants expressed hopes for similar future programming. Several registered for upcoming arts centre events as a result of the Creative Retreat Day.

The challenges we faced were primarily financial because circumstances had changed since the application. We received $400 rather than $500 and we also needed to rent a space for the day. The facilitator worked for a considerably lower fee. Coffee, tea, and a vegan, gluten-free soup were provided. Participants were given the option of bringing an item to potluck (bread, salad, dessert) and many did. The second challenge was a waiting list!

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