view all images view all
Forest Impressions: A Mindful Oil Painting Retreat
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
previous
next
Top Rated iconTop Rated

Forest Impressions: A Mindful Oil Painting Retreat

4.85282 reviews
Location icon
500 College Street Northeast, Olympia, WA, USA
Users icon
Up to 12 in group
Date
July 18, 2026

Retreat Highlights

  • This retreat offers a gentle, contemplative art experience designed to complement St. Placid Priory’s forested setting and tradition of quiet reflection. Following an optional forest bathing walk on the Priory grounds, participants will transition into a three-hour guided forest paint-along in oils led by regional landscape artist Nancy Romanovsky.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

A Forest paint at St. Placid Priory







With Nancy Romanovsky
A Contemplative Forest Retreat
Spend a day immersed in nature, creativity, and quiet reflection. This retreat combines an optional guided forest therapy walk in the morning with a three-hour oil painting session in the afternoon by regional landscape artist Nancy Romanovsky.
Participants are gently guided to translate their sensory experience of the forest into a simple, expressive landscape painting. Instruction is mindful and step-by-step, emphasizing presence, observation, atmosphere, and simplified forms rather than technical skill.
The pace is intentionally slow and unhurried, allowing space for silence, focus, and personal reflection. No prior art experience is required, and there is no critique or evaluation. Participants are encouraged to work at their own rhythm, take breaks as needed, and remain present to both the natural setting and the creative process.
All oil painting supplies are available for an additional $10.
You may want to visit Nancy virtual gallery
https://www.nancyromanovsky.com/

Schedule

1 PM - 4 PM Three-hour guided forest paint-along in oils led by regional landscape artist Nancy Romanovsky
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon St. Placid Priory, 500 College Street Northeast, Olympia, WA, USA

Directions

Traveling north from Portland, on I-5:
Take Exit 109
Turn left onto Martin Way at end of exit
Stay in the far right lane
Turn right at second light onto
College Street NE
Turn right at St. Placid sign
(second possible right turn)

Traveling south from Seattle, on I-5:
Take Exit 109
Turn right onto Martin Way at end of exit
Stay in the far right lane
Turn right at the light onto
College Street NE
Turn right at St. Placid sign
(second possible right turn)

Accommodation

Program Price
Program with all material

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
The Priory Spirituality Center is an ecumenical Christian ministry that encourages those of all faiths to discern the voice of God in their lives and in the world. A ministry of St. Placid Priory we reflect Benedictine values: peace, hospitality, community, learning and prayerful discernment.

We offer a peaceful and contemplative setting for personal reflection. We encourage and challenge people to know the presence of God in their lives through classes, workshops, retreats and individual spir

Meals

On-your-own breakfast: Center Kitchen. Eggs, milk, bread, cereal, fruit provided. Your own food welcome, may be cooked in Kitchen. Lunch/Dinner served, main dish+salad bar. Sun coffee hour after Mass

What's Included

  • Three-hour guided forest paint -along in oils
  • Led by regional landscape artist Nancy Romanovsky
  • Meditative painting session
  • Expressive landscape painting
  • Mindful observation of simplified forms, and atmosphere
  • Experience accessible to participants of all skill levels
  • Material available for an additional $10.

What's Not Included

  • Meals not included

Customer Reviews

4.85 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
Verified logo
great place
I love this place and tender care that people put in maintaining it. I also feel the presence of the Higher Power in this place.

5.0
Verified logo
The solitary retreat I needed
The sisters and staff were gently welcoming. I read, wrote, walked the grounds, dined with the sisters, attended services, contemplated. It was a perfect setting and time and my soul is the better for it.

5.0
Verified logo
Hybrid: Continuing Contemplative Rest
This monthly contemplative experience is an excellent way to help me live out my Benedictine intention to live in the world in a calm and helpful way. There are many things that tend to distract me from intentional living and the work we do together in contemplative rest helps me live peacefully outside those distractions. I find I am much more focused on what's important when I have rested together with those present on the first Saturdays.

5.0
Verified logo
Perfect Pause
My experience was one of feeling completely unplugged and at the same time completely present for a whole different pace. Kind reception, great nap, deep reading, quiet walks, meals in silence, and participating in the Psalms topped off by a bit of retail (fiber art purchases). It was pretty much perfect. Betty G

5.0
Verified logo
Much Needed!
This was my first personal retreat at St. Placid, and it couldn't have come at a better time! Besides my full time work in a local church, I also provide in home care to my parents who are 95 and 96 and who both have dementia. Self care is important to those who care for others, and this time was much needed for me. The two nights and three days I spent at St. Placid were restful, tranquil, and rejuvenating. From the moment I arrived until I left, I was offered warm welcome and hospitality. The food was excellent. The sisters are all interesting conversation partners at meals. My room and facilities in the Spirituality Center were comfortable and well equipped. The grounds are beautiful in a forested location, and I was able to take walks, enjoying the Autumn colors, around the local area. You can pretty much make your personal retreat at St. Placid what you need it to be, whether it's silence, meditation, and prayer, reading or study in their wonderful library, or just a time of rest and fellowship. I plan to be back in the future!

Select your options

Available Dates
July 18, 2026
  • $75.00
    Program Price
  • $85.00
    Program with all material
Book Now

Policy Info Refund & Cancellation Policy

The event is 100% refundable for cancellation 60+ days before the event start date. The event is 50% refundable if cancelled 30-59 days before the start date.

Have a question for your host?

Contact

Similar retreats

Topic Health & Wellness

Private Overnight Retreat

Top Rated iconTop Rated
Date Flexible Dates
Center St. Placid Priory Lacey, Washington
From $75
4.85
Loading logo
Topic Meditation

Weekend Silent Centering Prayer Retreat

Date May 22 - 24, 2026
Center St. Placid Priory Lacey, Washington
$290 / 3 days
4.85
Loading logo
Topic Spirituality

OASIS 2026 - 2027

Date September 17, 2026 - May 21, 2027
Center St. Placid Priory Lacey, Washington
From $1,010 / 247 days
4.85
Loading logo
Topic Health & Wellness

21 day Spiritual Fast on a yacht

Date Flexible Dates
Center 20 & 40 day fasting @ Camp Squid Onekama, Michigan
From $500
5.00
Loading logo
Topic Health & Wellness

Menla Create-Your-Own Getaway

Cameron's Staff Pick iconCameron's Staff Pick
Date Flexible Dates
Center Menla Phoenicia, New York
From $306
4.75
Loading logo
Topic Health & Wellness

7 & 14 Day Spiritual Fast on a yacht

Date Flexible Dates
Center 20 & 40 day fasting @ Camp Squid Onekama, Michigan
$500
5.00
Loading logo
Topic Health & Wellness

41 day Spiritual fast on a Yacht

Date Flexible Dates
Center 20 & 40 day fasting @ Camp Squid Onekama, Michigan
$500
5.00
Loading logo
Topic Health & Wellness

Andean Energy Healing Initiation

Date February 25 - 26, 2026
Center Sacred Ceremonies
Online Online
$777 / 2 days
Loading logo
Topic Health & Wellness

Hawaiian Island Retreat

Date Flexible Dates
Center Bella Retreats Hawaii
$500
4.83
Loading logo
Topic Health & Wellness

Spring Equinox Activation Camping Experience

Date Mar 21 - 22, 2026
Center Alchemize With Alli St. Petersburg, Florida
$150 / 2 days
Loading logo
Topic Health & Wellness

QHHT Past Life Regression Integrative Therapy- Utah

Date Flexible Dates
Center Bernice Andersen IXCA Orem, Utah
$555
5.00
Loading logo
Carousel Previous
/
Carousel Next