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The Elemental Retreat - Where Science, Soul & Story Meet
June 9–13, 2026 | Manitou Springs Art Center | Manitou Springs, CO
Super Early-Bird Price until October 31: $999 or 3 payments of $333
This is more than an art retreat. It’s a space for self-discovery, community, and healing—where science meets mystery, and hands-on creation becomes a gateway to transformation.
Tap Into the Rhythms of Nature and Your Own Artistic Truth
Nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak amid the sacred red-rock canyons and mineral springs of Manitou Springs—land revered for its healing waters by Native tribes for generations —this retreat is crafted for those who long to awaken through creative alchemy.
Step into the light-filled studios of the Manitou Art Center—an inspiring haven nestled in the heart of a thriving artistic community. Surrounded by working artists, galleries, and creative sparks flying in every direction, you'll be immersed in a space where the air hums with possibility.
Inside our dedicated studio, you'll spend time exploring botanical illustration, watercolor play, slow stitching, turning herbs into teas and tinctures, all against the magical backdrop of Colorado's beauty. This is a retreat where science, soul, and story converge, and everyday materials become conduits for transformation.
Come grow as an artist, root into your own story, and rekindle a sense of belonging—with the land, with plants, and with kindred spirits.
Seats are limited to 12 for this event — book your spot now and say yes to a soulful summer adventure!
Here is what you will receive as an attendee of The Elemental Retreat
✔ 4.5 days of creative immersion at the Manitou Springs Art Center
✔ Explore art making, botanical magic with watercolor and with actual plants from Anna’s Apothecary
✔ An intimate experience, we only have space for 12 students!
✔ All supplies are provided, you get to just show up.
✔ Tuesday Welcome dinner, lunches, snacks and beverages Wednesday - Friday, brunch on Saturday
✔ Fun excursions to Anna’s Apothecary and a nearby cold springs(easy access, weather permitting).
✔ Connection with other like-minded creative sisters.
✔ Masterful facilitation by Minette Riordan, Ph.D & Dina Tibbs, long time facilitators, artists and experts
Subheading:
You Belong Here If...
- List Item
- List Item
Bulleted List:
You’re in midlife and feeling the urge to rediscover your creativity and purpose.
You love myth, metaphor, and meaningful self-expression.
You long to reconnect with your authentic voice and feminine power.
You want sacred structure + playful permission to be wildly yourself.
You’re craving a circle of wise, creative, soulful women who get it.
Optional line:
No prior art experience needed—just a curious heart and an open mind.
What awaits you...
- Creative Awakening
Explore the delicate art of botanical drawing and watercolor, feel the meditative pull of slow stitching, and savor the sensory alchemy of blending local herbs into teas and tinctures. These hands-on experiences help shift you from doing to being. - Inner Discovery Through Art
Reconnect with your quiet knowing. Through guided practices and free-form creation, you'll release inner critics and make space for unfolding stories—soft, true, and deeply alive. - Nature as Partner & Muse
The elemental forces—earth, water, air, fire, and spirit—linger just outside the studio. You'll be guided to listen through walks, simple ceremonies, and contemplative moments, allowing plants and landscape to become teachers and allies. - Community Rooted in Reverence
Share creative rituals, laughter, stories, and herbal infusions with a circle of soulful seekers. In quiet companionship, voices soften, hearts open, and belonging grows.
By the end of our time together...
...many participants step away glowing—more grounded, more inspired, more themselves. You’ll carry home:
Renewed confidence in your creative voice
A deeper, embodied connection to the natural world
Practices that become rituals you can lean on anytime
Soul sisters, memories, and stories that linger
Meet Your Guides
Dr. Minette Riordan
Hi, I’m Minette Riordan, Ph.D. For over three decades, I’ve been creating spaces where insight and creativity meet—guiding individuals and groups through powerful moments of self-discovery, clarity, and transformation. With a background in education, entrepreneurship, and expressive arts, I blend deep listening with practical tools to help people reconnect with what matters most.
My retreats aren't about making art; they are about making meaning. I believe in the magic of slowing down, showing up fully, and letting your inner wisdom lead the way. If you’re craving purpose, connection, and creative renewal, I invite you into the kind of space where real change begins. Learn more about Minette here: www.minetteriordan.com
Dina Tibbs
I am Dina Tibbs, Proprietress and Chief Experience Officer of Anna's Apothecary where we focus on herbal remedies and herbal education for our customers. I have both a corporate business strategy and healing/spiritual arts entrepreneur background. I weave the skills from both the corporate world and healing arts world to create conscious businesses that are in service to something higher than just retail sales, but to providing education and products that create an empowered sense of wholeness for the staff and customers, sense of community, and reciprocity with the natural world.
For my complete bio and to learn more about Anna's Apothecary please visit us at www.annasapothecary.co
What Past Retreat Attendees Are Saying...
This retreat created a safe, expansive and compassionate container to open and bloom in new ways. It's like an adventure of being locked in an art supply store and getting to play in every fun way my imagination takes me. How fun to transform as the side effect of creating and playing.
Annette
Thank you for creating such a safe and supportive space for us to explore and heal individually and together. Each of activities offered it's own invitation to go deeper. I felt held equally in my forward steps and my mis-steps. Through this retreat I embraced old wounds and re-purposed the elements for a joy-filled future.
Karen Joy
I am steeped in immense gratitude for the depth and richness of the experience. From the moment we began this 4 and 1/2 day retreat, we traveled in a liminal space of radical acceptance, profound insight, and heartfelt generosity. We were surrounded by the saturated colors of the sacred space created to contain and support our creative unfolding. Delicious food, the company of wise women, the natural environment we spent time in, the abundance of diverse materials and gentle, loving guidance were food for my Soul. The theme delighted and inspired me with well orchestrated and thoughtful stepping stones along the path end with the sacred sharing of our creations on our last morning together. Minette [is a] masterful Magician who took me on an enchanted journey that I will forever cherish.
Tamara Brody
The Details: The Elemental Retreat
Dates: June 9–13, 2026
Location: Manitou Springs Art Center, Dye Lab room of the Makerspace, 513/515 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829
Investment: Super early-bird price until October 31, 2025: $999 or 3 monthly installments of $333
What’s Included (see above for more details):
4.5 days of creative immersion, exploring art making, botanical magic with watercolor and with actual plants from Anna’s Apothecary
All supplies are provided
Tuesday Welcome dinner, lunches, snacks and beverages Wednesday - Friday, brunch on Saturday
Fun excursions to Anna’s Apothecary and a nearby cold springs(easy access, weather permitting).
Masterful facilitation by Minette Riordan, Ph.D & Dina Tibbs, long time facilitators, artists and experts
Schedule (times in MT):
Tuesday, June 9: 3pm to 7pm (includes a light dinner)
Wed, June 10 to Friday June 12: 9:30 am to 5:30pm
Saturday, June 13: 9:30am to 12:30pm
Subheading (Optional):
Register by [Date] and Receive These Magical Bonuses:
[Bonus 1: E.g., Mandala coloring book or oracle card pull]
[Bonus 2: E.g., Access to a private “After the Journey” integration circle]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if I'm not creative?
A. Then you are in the right place to rediscover that yes you are creative! No special skills or previous art experience needed. We are all creative. This is about the journey and Minette will guide you step by step through the process.
Q. What is included with my registration?
A. All supplies, one dinner and three lunches as well as abundant snacks and beverages.
Q. Where is the retreat located?
A. The retreat is located in beautiful Manitou Springs, CO near Colorado Springs. Please note: accommodations and transportation are not included.
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.
Q. What is the weather like in Manitou Springs in June?
A. The weather is variable in Colorado but by early June we will have the beginnings of spring showing itself and warm sunny days as well as cool mornings and evenings. Average high is low 80s and average low is in the 60s.
Q. How do I get there?
A. The closest airport is Colorado Springs (27 minute drive to Manitou Springs). Denver International Airport is a 90 minute drive.
Q. Where do I stay?
A. Lodging is not included. We can offer recommendations for places to stay nearby and help organize groups for an Airbnb Stay.
Q. What do I do with my partner while I'm at the Elemental Retreat?
A. There are many options for recreation and sight-seeing around the Manitou Springs area and it is well worth considering taking advantage. Drive up Pike's Peak, many hiking options including The Manitou Incline and Garden of the Gods, visit Cliff Dwellings or Cave of the Winds. Plus it's a fun little down town area.
Will you attend The Elemental Retreat next Summer?
Step into the wild beauty of early summer in Manitou Springs, where art, nature, and soul-stirring stories intertwine.
This is for YOU.
Reconnect—with your inner wisdom, your artistic voice, the healing power of plants, and the sacred rhythms of the natural world.
