Immersive Art Retreat in the Shropshire Hills, UK

Please note, this listing is for the deposit only. The full cost of a single place on the retreat is £1350. After booking, an invoice for the balance of £900 will be emailed to you with details of how to pay.

All-inclusive residential art retreat, hosted and tutored by Tansy Hargan, with special guest speaker Nigel Dunnett, in the tranquil and inspiring Shropshire Hills. Swipe through images for full timetable and further details.

Who is this retreat suitable for? Anyone with the desire to spend a week immersed in "wraparound art", from mindful painting before breakfast, through to an "arty social" every evening after supper. In terms of art experience, you could be a complete beginner or a professional artist, or any level between. Workshops are devised to allow a high degree of self direction and experimentation, while having clear objectives and processes. Tansy will demonstrate and support as necessary throughout the week.

The retreat will focus on the dual idea of "gathering" and "developing". We will repeatedly move from location to studio, focusing on observation and experience (largely outdoors), then on ideation and visual experimentation (mainly indoors). Workshops will be process-based, using varied materials and methods, including (but not be limited to) drawing (ink, graphite, mixed media), conceptual model making, painting (watercolour, gouache, and soluble pencils), collage, textile manipulation, monoprint, frottage, surrealist writing, thumbnails sketching, and assemblage.

Date: 10th - 15th June 2024

Location: The Hurst, Clunton, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 0JA, UK (see map in images)

What's included:
- 9 intensive (two hours each) art workshops (five on location, and four in the studio), inc. all materials and tools needed.

- A 50-minute one-to-one tutorial/mentoring session (topic of your choice, to be discussed via email prior to the retreat) with Tansy.

- 5 meditative "morning marks" watercolour painting sessions. These will be an optional (6:30am) start to each day, with only the sound of brush washing and bird song breaking the companionable silence.

- An evening with Nigel Dunnett, starting with aperitifs and supper, followed by his presentation: Planting Design as an Art Form, and rounded off with time for Qs&As.

-"Make your own watercolour paint", two-hour session inc. talk on pigment, demo of process, and everything you need to make a half-pan of a colour of your own.

- "Train sketching" demo and session, en route to Shrewsbury.

- Free use of the art studio outside of workshops, includes use of tools, media, paper and textiles, typewriters, sewing machines, computers and printer.

- 5 nights accommodation in a single en suite study bedroom.

- 5 buffet breakfasts, 4 ploughman's lunches, and 5 two-course evening meals, freshly prepared in The Hurst kitchen using local seasonal produce and served in the dining room. All dietary requirements accommodated (a questionnaire will be emailed to you after booking, to allow the catering team to devise a menu that suits everyone).

- Tea, coffee, fruit and snacks will be available for self service.

- Welcome pack, inc. two sketchbooks and a printed zine to accompany each workshop.

- All coach and rail travel within the retreat.

- Car parking at the Hurst (directions will be provided after booking). If you are coming by train, collection from Craven Arms Station can be arranged.

- Lunch at Stokesey Castle tea rooms.

- Cost of entry to Stokesey Castle, English Heritage site.

Is there a concessionary price?
No, but a limited number of hardship bursaries are available (subject to application and selection). Email [email protected] for eligibility and application details.

Any questions? Please email [email protected].