🎨👩💻This is NOT just another retreat!
Queen of Your Own Story: An Expressive Arts Retreat
A 3-day creative journey into self expression, inner wisdom and self trust
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Join us September 14-16 for 3 days of expressive arts, soulful reflection, archetypal exploration, and creative connection as you reconnect with your inner queen and begin designing the next chapter of your life.
- Create a meaningful mixed-media portrait of yourself as the Queen of Your Own Story.
- Use art, journaling, guided visualization, and meaningful conversations to reconnect with your creative voice
- Leave with renewed clarity, self-trust, and a deeper sense of what wants to emerge next
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Creative Voice
Reconnect with the part of you that wants to make, express, imagine, and play without needing permission.
Queen of Your Own Story
Explore Inner Sovereignty through guided visualization, journaling, and expressive arts.
Mythic Self-Discovery
See your life as a story you are still writing, not a role you have already completed.
Sacred Creative Community
Spend meaningful time with women who also crave depth, beauty, conversation, and creative exploration.
About Wild & Sacred: A Creative Spirit Retreat
Love Love Love
I had never been to a retreat before this one, and to be honest, I'm not usually a fan of group activities. But I absolutely loved this experience.
Every moment spent with Minette and the other attendees was meaningful and uplifting. Minette [has] a wonderful way of fostering both connection and personal space—there was always room for reflection, creativity, and quiet when needed.
I came away feeling deeply connected and creatively recharged. I’m already looking forward to the next retreat—I’ll be the first to sign up. :)
[This] retreat was an absolute joy from start to finish!
The Wild and Sacred retreat was an absolute joy from start to finish! It was clear that every detail was so thoughtfully and lovingly planned. Minette and Emma made an incredible duo—their styles balanced each other perfectly, and their combined energy created something truly special. They were warm, inspiring, and deeply generous with their knowledge, making the creative energy in the room contagious. This experience was truly restorative for my soul and creativity. I left feeling deeply connected to an amazing group of women. And the location—unbeatable!
About Wild Creative Enchantment Retreat
I cannot recommend her retreats enough!
Years ago, when I first saw a class from Minette, it was spirit animals and I could not attend. Fast forward to 2025, and she reinvented the spirit guides in a way that was purely magical. I have always wanted to try my hand painting animals and I knew that I needed a bit of a push to actually do it. Minette made the entire creation of the painted animal accessible, and full of deep personal meaning. I got 3 beautiful works of art, a heart full of joy and insight and some wonderful friends from this retreat. If you ever want to try, even if it scares you, a retreat by Minette is where you need to be. She will stretch what you can do even if you are an experienced artist. I cannot recommend her retreats enough!
You’re not lacking creativity but you want your work to have meaning. You may be longing for direction or a clearer sense of who you are becoming.
Many art retreat offer beautiful moments of insight and pretty projects. But when you return home, it’s easy to fall back into the same patterns—still wondering what it all means and what to do next.
This experience is designed to be different.
Here, creativity becomes a way of listening. A way of hearing your own voice again—beneath the noise, the roles, and the expectations you’ve carried for years.
You won’t just leave inspired. You’ll leave with a felt sense of clarity, a deeper connection to your inner wisdom, and a simple, repeatable way to keep uncovering your purpose and direction long after the retreat ends.
Learn a Creative Process You Can Return To
This is more than just a beautiful weekend of art-making.
You’ll be guided through a simple, repeatable process you can use again and again—whenever you feel stuck, uncertain, or ready for something new.
Through this experience, you’ll learn my signature Creative Discovery Cycle™
Prompt → Reflect → Create → Share → Integrate
A gentle, intuitive rhythm that helps you:
- move out of overthinking and into creative exploration
- access your inner wisdom in a tangible, embodied way
- make meaning from what you create
- carry your insights into your everyday life
Experience It From the Inside Out
This isn’t about learning a skill, it's about experiencing a new way of making art from the inside out.
Throughout the retreat, you’ll be gently invited to:
- respond to thoughtful prompts through art and journaling
- reflect on what your creations are revealing to you
- share (if you choose) in a supportive, judgment-free space
- witness how powerful it is to be seen and heard in your creative expression
You’ll feel what it’s like to be guided through this process and discover how to guide yourself.
You won’t just leave with finished pieces of art. You’ll leave with a way to keep the conversation with your Inner Wisdom going.
An Experience Designed for Creativity, Insight and Real Connection
This isn’t a lecture-based training.It’s an immersive, creative space where you’ll be guided through a rhythm of:
- expressive arts and intuitive creation
- reflective journaling and personal insight
- meaningful conversation and shared experience
- quiet moments of integration and inner listening
You’ll move between creating, reflecting, and connecting—both with yourself and with others.
You won’t just leave inspired.
You’ll leave with a deeper connection to yourself—and a creative process you can return to whenever you need clarity, direction, or a way forward.
What You’ll Experience Over 3 Transformational Days
Day 1: Enter the Story
Reconnect with your creative voice and the wisdom beneath the noise.
We’ll begin by stepping out of everyday life and into sacred creative space. Through guided reflection, journaling, and intuitive art-making, you’ll begin exploring the question: What story am I ready to stop living, and what story is calling me forward now?
You’ll begin gathering symbols, colors, images, and words that represent your inner Wise and Sovereign.
Day 2: Become the Queen of Your Story
Explore the archetypal guide within you.
This is the heart of the retreat. Through collage, painting, guided visualization, and journaling, you’ll deepen your relationship with the Queen archetype and the guides, allies, symbols, and strengths that support you.
You’ll begin creating your main mixed-media piece: a visual representation of you as the Queen of Your Own Story
Day 3: Carrying the Wisdom Forward
Integrate what you’ve discovered and bring it into your life.
On our final day, we’ll gently begin to gather the threads of everything you’ve explored.
You’ll complete or nearly complete your final self-portrait and spend time reflecting on what she wants you to know now.
You’ll leave not only with something beautiful you’ve created, but with a deeper relationship to your own inner guidance and a way to keep listening long after you return home.
A genuinely enriching experience
Minette has a remarkable ability to create a safe and warm environment. I felt at ease enough to share my thoughts comfortably within the small group. And I got real results. The entire journey felt wholesome, leaving me with a renewed sense of appreciation for my personal growth. I highly recommend Minette’s classes to anyone seeking guidance in their personal development, and a genuinely enriching experience. Thank you, Minette, for taking my on this journey!
Peace and Tranquility
The retreat exceeded my expectations. I came not knowing anyone and I immediately felt welcome and seen. I loved starting the day with a sharing circle, it was a great way to get to know all the other participants better. Not having the pressure to get our projects done was much appreciated. Having all the supplies provided was the icing on the cake. I have attended other classes and been bogged down with getting all the right supplies and packing them up.
A sincere thank you!
Who This Retreat Is For
This retreat is for you if:
- You are a woman in the second half of life who feels ready for more meaning, creativity, and self-trust.
- You love art, journaling, symbols, stories, archetypes, and soulful conversation.
- You are tired of trying to figure everything out in your head and want a more intuitive, creative way to hear yourself.
- You want space and time to make art without pressure, perfectionism, or needing to be “good enough.”
- You are navigating a transition, identity shift, retirement season, empty nest, creative longing, or quiet inner restlessness.
- You want to be in community with women who value depth, beauty, imagination, and honest reflection.
LOCATION + LOGISTICS
📍 Loveland, Colorado
Loveland is a creative little jewel at the edge of the Rockies — a place where art, nature, and community weave together in quiet but powerful ways. Known as the Sweetheart City, it’s home to hundreds of public sculptures, a vibrant downtown arts scene, and easy access to the wild beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s the kind of place where inspiration feels close at hand and meaningful conversations unfold naturally. I'm proud to call this city home.
🗓 Dates: September 14-16, 2026
⏰ 9:30am to 5:30pm each day
Venue: Casa Sagrada
Casa Sagrada is located in a renovated church in downtown Loveland that blends historic charm with modern elegance.
🎨 All supplies included
☕ Light refreshments provided
Lodging and Meals are not included
We will provide a list of lodging and restaurant options.
By the end, you'll leave with:
- A finished or nearly finished mixed-media painting of your Queen
- A deeper connection to your creative voice and intuitive knowing
- Clarity about the story you are ready to release and the story you are ready to live into
- Renewed excitement about making space for creativity in your life
- A sense of belonging with other women walking a similar threshold
- A next step for continuing this work through the Sisterhood of Wisdom and Wonder, a deeper creative circle, or future facilitator training
🗓️ September 14-16 📍Loveland, CO
Join us for 3 days of creativity, connection, and meaningful self-discovery
Guided expressive arts sessions where you experience the Creative Discovery process for yourself
A simple, repeatable framework you can return to whenever you’re seeking clarity, direction, or inspiration
Time and space to create something both beautiful and deeply meaningful
Thoughtful prompts and reflective practices you can continue using at home
Supportive connection with a community of women also exploring what comes next
A deeper trust in your own voice, your inner wisdom, and your creative expression
Zero Refund Policy
REVIEW BEFORE COMPLETING YOUR REGISTRATION
Thank you for choosing to participate in our event. We’re excited to host you and provide an unforgettable experience. Please review our refund policy carefully before completing your registration:
No Refunds: Once payment is made for event registration, it is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Event Date and Time: The date and time of the event are fixed and will proceed as scheduled. No refunds will be issued for inability to attend on the specified date and time.
Transferability: Registrations are transferable. If you are unable to attend, you can transfer your registration to another individual.
By completing your registration for the event, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to abide by this zero refund policy.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact clientcare@minetteriordan.com before completing your registration.
We'll See You In Loveland
Super Early Bird Pricing (Ends May 31)
🎟️ Single Payment
$597
$497 Mother's Day Sale 💖
Standard Price $997
🎟️ 3 Payments
$199/month for 3 months
Mother's Day Sale $166/month for 3 months
Standard Price $997
🎨 Meet Your Creative Guide: Minette Riordan, Ph.D.
Artist. Writer. Guide for Women in the Second Half of Life.
Minette Riordan is an expressive arts facilitator, creative mentor, and the creator of the Creative Discovery Cycle™—a simple, powerful process for connecting to your inner wisdom through art and reflection.
For over 30 years, she has guided women through meaningful, transformative experiences that blend storytelling, symbolic imagery, and creative expression.
Her work is rooted in a deep belief that you already hold the answers you’re seeking—and that creativity is one of the most powerful ways to access them.
Through her retreats, programs, and the Sisterhood of Wisdom and Wonder, Minette creates spaces where women can slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with a sense of meaning, purpose, and possibility in the second half of life.
Note: For those who feel called to share this work with others, Minette also offers advanced trainings in creative facilitation. Ask for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need art experience or training?
A. No, you don't need any previous experience or need to know how to draw. This is about creative process, not fine art. You will practice a variety of expressive arts techniques using collage, watercolor and journaling that are simple, playful and transformative.
Q. Is this therapy?
A. No. It is an expressive arts experience. Deeply reflective — but not clinical therapy or art therapy.
Q. What is included with my registration?
A. All of your art supplies, snacks, coffee, tea and water each day. Lodging and meals are not included..
Q. Where is the retreat located?
A. At Casa Sagrada in downtown Loveland, CO about one hour north of Denver. The nearest airport is Denver, Colorado. We will share recommendations for lodging and for transportation to and from Denver International Airport.
Q. What is the weather like in Loveland in September?
A. Perfect fall weather and a great time to visit. September in Loveland, Colorado, features pleasant, warm days and cool evenings, with average highs in the mid-70s to low 80s°F and lows in the mid-40s to low 50s°F.
Q. What do I do with my partner/spouse while I'm at the retreat?
A. The main attraction - and it is amazing - is Rocky Mountain National Park: plan ahead for timed entry tickets which is about 45 minutes from Loveland. There is lots of fly fishing, hiking, bird watching and more outdoor activities in and around Loveland and Estes Park. Downtown Loveland is fun for walks and coffee shops. A little further drive yields visits to two university towns: Boulder or Fort Collins.
Q. What is your cancellation policy?
A. Please make sure the dates of this event work for you. We are not able to offer any refunds once you have registered.
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