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The Elemental Wisdom Retreat - Creative Medicine for the Soul
June 9–13, 2026 | Manitou Springs Art Center | Manitou Springs, CO
Early-Bird Price until March 31: $1200 or 3 payments of $400
This is more than an art retreat. It’s a space for self-discovery, connection, and healing—where knowing 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 magic and beauty of Manitou Spring—our retreat will be hosted in a private home with beautiful light, gorgeous views and both inside and outside spaces for creating and connecting.
During our time together, we will be drawing, painting, writing and creating a suite of divine feminine archteypal characters. This is a retreat where alchemy, 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 through the faces of the maiden, mother, wise woman, crone and medial woman archetypes
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 experience as an attendee of The Elemental Wisdom Retreat
✔ 4.5 days of creative immersion at the Manitou Springs Art Center
✔ Explore art making, botanical illustration with ink, 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 free time to explore the area (we will provide a few options for local adventures.)
✔ 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
From botanical illustration and watercolor play, to doll-making, nature walks and tea making, you will explore a variety of creative techniques. These hands-on experiences help shift you from doing to being. - Inner Discovery Through Art
Create an illustrated Wheel of the Year that represents the seasons, the elements and the cycles of the moon - samples pictured above. - Explore 5 Feminine Archetypes
Work with the archetypes of the Maiden, Mother, Wise Woman, Crone and The Medial Woman as you craft 5 unique paper and fabric dolls - 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 as well as creative inspiration for your art-making in the studio. - Community Rooted in Reverence
Share creative rituals, laughter, stories, and tea with a circle of soulful seekers. In quiet companionship, voices soften, hearts open, and belonging grows.
By the end of our time together...
You’ll carry home:
A beautiful illustrated journal of your creative experience that you can continue to add to throughout the year.
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 Wisdom Retreat
Dates: June 9–13, 2026
Location: Private Residence in Manitou Springs, Colorado
Investment: Early-bird price until March 31, 2026: $1200 or 3 monthly installments of $400
What’s Included (see above for more details):
4.5 days of creative immersion and exploration of the area
All supplies are provided
Tuesday Welcome dinner, lunches, snacks and beverages Wednesday - Friday, brunch on Saturday
Fun excursions to Anna’s Apothecary and other nearby sites plus time to explore the cute town of Manitou.
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, three lunches, brunch on final day as well as abundant snacks and beverages. One excursion, location TBD by group.
Q. Where is the retreat located?
A. The retreat is located in beautiful Manitou Springs, CO near Colorado Springs. You can fly into the small local airport or fly into Denver, Colorado and drive to Manito Springs, about a 1.5 hour drive. 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/spouse while I'm at the Elemental Wisdom 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.
