Art Week!! Contemplative Art in Nature

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Up to 30 in group
Date
August 14 - 19, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • Come be your creative self in a gorgeous island environment
  • Explore art forms as you bathe in forest, sea, and meadow
  • Programs are all inclusive
  • Meals are yummy vegetarian (vegan and gluten free available)
  • Accommodations are in comfortable, rustic cabins

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

Thursday August 14 Dinner - Tuesday August 19 Breakfast



Find a New Side of You Through Mindfulness Inspired Art

Join us for a program of presence in nature and expression in art. Through guided mindfulness walks we will get inspiration to connect to our sense of playfulness and wonder. We’ll discover the forest and shoreline by observing with our senses and explore our creativity through print and watercolor. Much or no previous knowledge in these techniques are welcome. 

Blueprints of Nature:  The Art of Cyanotypes (Kimberlee Hummel) 

This workshop will guide participants through the creation of cyanotype prints, an ancient photographic technique that is over 200 years old. Using the sun's UV light, light-sensitive paper, and natural materials, we will produce beautiful cobalt blue images. You will learn each step of the cyanotype process, including preparing the solution, treating the paper, creating images, exposing them to light, and fixing the color. Additionally, participants can bring a natural fabric item—such as a t-shirt, pillowcase, or bandana—to print on during the workshop. 

Watercolor Time (Karen Abel Dickinson) 

Karen will show a few techniques to get you started. She will walk you through the whole process of a full painting so you can understand the paint paper water ratio. Step by step you will be able to paint what you see on your own, with Karen right there to help guide you as much as wanted.  



Natural Mindfulness Guide (April Claxton) 

Before diving into learning the techniques for creating art we will take time to connect to the nature surrounding us, the forest and shoreline. We will slow down to connect to the land and feel a sense of place. Inspired by nature we can resonate with our art. 



Program Fees:
Program fees are all-inclusive and cover accommodation, food, and program specifics for the entire program. Participants may choose their accommodation type preference (Plumbing, Non-Plumbing, RV/Tent)  and may select to work on daily staff (3 hours commitment per day) for a substantial discount.

See Accommodation Types here: https://www.indralaya.org/home/guest-information/accommodation-types-indralaya/

Non-Accommodation rates are for program and meals only. Daily Staff discounts for non-accommodation rates cover meals.

In the table "Std" is standard rate; "DS" is Daily Staff Rate.





Registration Instructions:

You may register one or more persons in a single registration. To register more than one, select multiple persons for your accommodation type.
If you are selecting Daily Staff please indicate in notes who in the party is taking the daily staff discount (available to adults, young adults, teens). Daily staff discounts (except for No-Accommodation rates) are indicated by checking Daily Staff as an additional item. The discount will be applied on checkout.
You have an option of making a donation to Indralaya as part of your registration.
On checkout, please indicate if you are a "friend of Indralaya" (if you are not you can become one by selecting this option) - this will confer a 5% discount on your camp accommodation fees.




Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation through July 14 - $0
Cancellation fee July 15-July 30 - $50
Cancellation fee July 31 and later - $100




 

Schedule

Daily schedule includes:
7 am - meditation
8 am - breakfast
9-12 - program
12:30 - lunch
1:30-3:00 program
6:00 - dinner
8:00 - campfire
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Indralaya

Directions

Orcas island is accessible through the Washington State Ferries (Anacortes to Orcas) for cars or walk-ons (ferry pickup provided) or via air from Seattle (Kenmore Air).

Accommodation

Accommodations include rustic cabins (some with plumbing, most without), "roundhouse" - 7 rooms with shared baths in hotel-style, tenting available

Accommodation
Adult/Young Adult Plumbing
Accommodation
Teen 13-17 Plumbing
Accommodation
Child 6-12 Plumbing
Accommodation
Child 0-5 Plumbing
Accommodation
Adult Non-Plumbing
Accommodation
Young Adult Non-Plumbing
Accommodation
Teen-Ager 13-17 Non Plumbing
Accommodation
Child 6-12 Non Plumbing
Accommodation
Child 0-5 Non plumbing
Accommodation
Adult - RV/Tent
Accommodation
Young Adult - RV/Tent
Accommodation
Teen-Ager 13-17 RV/Tent
Accommodation
Child 6-12 RV/Tent
Accommodation
Child 0-5 RV/Tent
Accommodation
Adult - No Accommodation
Accommodation
Adult - No Accommodation daily staff
Accommodation
Young Adult - No Accommodation
Accommodation
Young Adult No Accommodation - Daily Staff
Accommodation
Teen-Ager 13-17 No Accommodation
Accommodation
Teen-Ager 13-17 No Accommodation 0 Daily Staff
Accommodation
Child 6-12 No Accommodation
Accommodation
Child 0-5 No Accommodation

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

Meals

Menu Types

Meals are served buffet style in a dining hall with large communal tables.

What's Included

  • meals
  • accommodation
  • linens (if requested, or bring your sleeping bag and towel)
  • ferry pickup

What's Not Included

  • Travel to and from Orcas island
  • Personal toiletries

Customer Reviews

4.90 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Labor Day Work Party
Thought difficult to get to Orcas on a busy weekend, it is worth it to get to the peace and quiet of Indralaya. Leave the car at home and ride buses then get picked up at the ferry landing on Orcas. We were only 24 workers but we got a lot done staining the new bathhouse, picking apples and plums and cutting them up, and as always, the garden work.. The food is never disappointing and a lot from the garden made it special.

5.0
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Work Party Volunteer
I had such a lovely time attending the Labor Day Work Party. Everyone was so kind and interesting. I enjoyed helping in the garden and preparing the apples for canning. The food was delicious, and my cabin was beautiful. Thank you for a wonderful weekend full of connections both to other community members and with nature!

5.0
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Happy Heart Qi Gong and Indralaya, a Perfect Fit
This was my first time at Indralaya. I was so taken with all of the people who were there, the location and beauty of the land, and the skillful work and loving attitude that the community continually contributes to making this a gracious, welcoming sanctuary for everyone that attends. The space is well suited for a QiGong retreat, and I liked the way the group was present with eachother and with the instruction. Bob, the instructor, is my husband, so I will not speak about his instruction, as I am biased. But for me it was an honor to be invited to Indralaya, where the gentle focus on Qi Gong movements of opening the Heart, breathing and balancing our energetic chi flow could be part of what Indralaya already so steadly is. I really appreciate the octogonal structure and the high open cedar space of the Bagua building, the smooth wooden floor, as the sound vibration could be held by the 8 walla. Sharing this space with intentional, curious and relaxed others provided me with light and joy. It was the perfect setting. The daily routine at Indralaya is structured so that the meditations, group connections, meals and retreat flow seamlessly into one another, allowing time for reflection and explorations with one another, with nature and with Qi Gong. I can also speak for Bob when I report that we were so thankful to be invited to stay at Ocean Spray, a beautiful cabin and location. We will return in one capacity or another.

5.0
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Qi Gong for Health
This was an excellent experience. A lot of information to take in. Bob was a wonderful instructor, but a bit difficult to hear, but not really a problem, as the movements were fine to follow. The syllabus was an good supplement to the class.

5.0
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Transformative experience
My days at Indralaya were exactly what my whole self was craving. Blissful time in idyllic surroundings with inspiring art, meditation and community.

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