Imagine walking into a cozy sun-drenched studio filled with the soft hum of conversation, the scent of fresh coffee and lavender, and a rainbow of art supplies laid out like treasure. You’re surrounded by kindred spirits—some strangers, some fast friends—all here for the same reason: to reconnect with their creative spark.
At Big Raven Farm, we’ve seen it happen time and time again. Guests arrive with a suitcase full of uncertainty, a to-do list looping in their minds, and a hesitant voice whispering, “Am I even creative?” But by the end of the weekend, something profound has shifted. They leave lighter, freer, and often in tears—not of sadness, but of relief, joy, and rediscovery.
So what exactly makes a group art retreat such fertile ground for personal transformation? Let’s explore the science, the stories, and the soul behind it.
The Science of Art as Healing
Research continues to affirm what artists and creatives have known for centuries: making art is good for you—body, mind, and spirit.
According to a study published in the journal Art Therapy, just 45 minutes of creative activity significantly lowers levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.¹ Meanwhile, neuroscience has shown that engaging in artistic expression increases dopamine production, which boosts mood and creates a sense of well-being.²
Even more fascinating? A 2016 study from Drexel University found that you don’t have to consider yourself an artist to benefit. Whether you’re an experienced painter or picking up glue sticks for the first time since grade school, your brain—and heart—will thank you.³
At Big Raven Farm, we believe that the simple act of making something with your hands can unlock a kind of inner freedom. And when done in community, those benefits are amplified.
The Power of Creative Community
There’s a unique alchemy that happens when people gather with the shared intention to create. We’ve hosted hundreds of guests over the years, and one truth remains constant: creativity is contagious.
When you're surrounded by others experimenting, laughing, making messes, and celebrating imperfections, something inside you begins to loosen. You find yourself trying something new. Reaching for a color you don’t normally use. Telling a story you didn’t realize you were ready to share.
You borrow courage from the group.
Take Melissa, for example. She came to one of our mixed media retreats last fall, fresh off a difficult divorce and deep in burnout from her corporate job. She told us, “I honestly wasn’t sure I’d even participate—I just needed to get away.”
But during a Saturday morning session, while working on a collage titled Coming Home to Myself, something broke open. As she layered scraps of handmade paper over old journal entries, tears rolled down her cheeks. She whispered, “I didn’t know I needed this.”
By Sunday morning, Melissa had a plan: she was going to carve out weekly “art dates” with herself back home. Three months later, she emailed us a photo of her newly set-up home studio—with the caption, “This retreat changed my life.”
Permission to Play, Space to Grow
We often hear people say, “I’m not an artist.” But at Big Raven Farm, we gently challenge that belief.
Everyone is creative. Everyone.
We just need a little permission to play and a safe, inspiring space to do it in. That’s what we offer here—time away from the daily grind, nourishing meals, deep sleep, and creative workshops led by skilled, compassionate instructors.
There’s no pressure to “get it right.” Instead, there’s freedom to explore. To surprise yourself. To remember the version of you who used to draw on the edges of notebooks or rearrange furniture just for fun.
And the best part? You don’t go through that rediscovery alone.
Retreats that Rewire Us
There’s growing evidence that retreats like ours support emotional resilience and even neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. When we slow down, immerse in hands-on creative work, and connect with others in a nurturing environment, we create the conditions for deep personal growth.
Our guests often say things like:
“I remembered who I am.”
“This was better than therapy.”
“I haven’t felt this free in years.”
“I found my people.”
“I feel like I’m starting over—and I’m excited about it.”
These aren’t just feel-good quotes. They are testaments to the transformative power of creativity and connection—and we see it happen again and again.
You’re Invited to Rediscover Your Creative Spark
If you’ve been feeling stuck, uninspired, overwhelmed—or even just curious—consider this your invitation.
Come join us for a weekend at Big Raven Farm. You don’t need experience. You don’t need the “right” supplies. You just need a willingness to show up.
Whether you're drawn to mixed media, collage, eco-printing, watercolor, or book art—there’s a retreat for you here. Come see what happens when you step out of routine and into creation. You might just leave with more than art. You might leave with a new sense of you.
Meet Sarah: The Woman Who Forgot How to Play
When Sarah first pulled into the gravel driveway at Big Raven Farm, she almost turned around.
It had been years since she’d picked up a paintbrush. Decades, really, since she’d made anything just for the joy of it.
“I’m not really the artsy type,” she said as she wheeled her suitcase across the grass, almost apologizing to no one in particular.
What she didn’t say—but was written all over her face—was that she was exhausted. Not from anything dramatic, just from the slow, grinding erosion of joy that life sometimes delivers. Work, laundry, errands, expectations. Somewhere along the way, she had stopped playing.
She came to the retreat because a friend insisted. “Just try it,” the friend said. “Worst case, you’ll eat some good food and sleep in a comfy bed.”
Sarah didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t this: the warm greetings, the low-pressure vibe, the quiet encouragement to explore without any right or wrong. She didn’t know how much she had missed herself.
The first project was simple—just layering textures on handmade paper. Sarah sat quietly, unsure where to start, until someone next to her offered a stamp and said, “This one makes a satisfying squish sound.” Sarah laughed. Actually laughed.
And that was the moment it started.
By Saturday afternoon, she was elbow-deep in collage scraps, humming under her breath, happily making a mess. Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes sparkled. You could see her light up—like the child version of her was finally allowed to come out and play again.
“I don’t even care if it turns out pretty,” she said with a grin, “this just feels good.”
That night, around the fire, she told the group:
“I forgot what it feels like to play. This weekend reminded me. I’m going to keep doing this. Just for me.”
By the time Sarah left on Sunday morning, the skepticism she’d brought with her had melted away completely. In its place? Lightness. Joy. A renewed sense of curiosity and self-kindness.
A week later, a hand-made card arrived in the mail at Big Raven Farm. On the front: layered collage, bits of washi tape, and playful brushstrokes. Inside, in Sarah’s handwriting, were the words:
Thank you for guiding me back to my creative self.
With love and gratitude — Sarah.
That card lives on the bulletin board beside Joleen’s desk. It’s a daily reminder of why these retreats matter—not because of the art that gets made, but because of the people who come home to themselves in the process.
The Transformation Is Real—And It’s Waiting for You
Stories like Sarah’s aren’t rare here—they’re the norm. Time and time again, we witness guests arrive feeling unsure, burnt out, or disconnected, only to leave with their hearts open, their hands messy, and their creative spirits reawakened. Whether it happens in the quiet of layering collage papers or the laughter shared over shared supplies, something shifts.
Because it’s never just about the art.
It’s about remembering who you are when you’re not in a rush. When you’re not performing or pleasing—just being. Creating. Connecting. Playing.
And that’s where the breakthrough lives.
Ready to Spark Your Own Breakthrough?
Browse our upcoming retreats → Pick Your Project Retreats at Big Raven Farm
Spots are limited—and the breakthroughs are big.
Sources:
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Kaimal, G., Ray, K., & Muniz, J. (2016). Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants’ Responses Following Art Making. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association.
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Bolwerk, A., Mack-Andrick, J., Lang, F. R., Dörfler, A., & Maihöfner, C. (2014). How Art Changes Your Brain: Differential Effects of Visual Art Production and Cognitive Art Evaluation on Functional Brain Connectivity. PLOS ONE.
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Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions. (2016). "Art-Making Helps Reduce Stress, Regardless of Skill Level, Study Finds."