June at Big Raven Farm is where things shift.
We’re tucked into the Driftless Region of Minnesota, and if you’ve never been here, it feels different right away. The land rolls instead of flattening out. The pace softens a bit. And there’s one small detail people always notice once they arrive: far fewer mosquitos than you’d expect for a Minnesota summer.
It sounds minor, but it changes how you spend your time.
Because these aren’t passive weekends. These are hands-on art workshops for people who actually want to make something again. To focus long enough to get into it. To follow an idea past the halfway point instead of stopping when life interrupts.
When you have the right environment and the time to settle in, things start to move. You make more. You go deeper. You remember what it feels like to stay with your work.
If you’ve been looking for a Midwest art retreat that’s more than just a break, June is a good place to start.
Why Hands-On Art Retreats Work (and Why Most People Stall Without Them)
Most people don’t run out of ideas. They run out of time and space to actually do anything with them.
At home, it’s always something. You sit down, get a little momentum, and then something pulls you away. By the time you come back, the thread is gone.
Here, that dynamic shifts pretty quickly.
You’ve got structure when you want it. Open studio when you don’t. A dedicated space that’s already set up. Meals are taken care of. Fewer decisions, fewer interruptions.
And when your time is protected like that, something clicks. You stop restarting the same project over and over. You actually move it forward.
Most people are a little surprised by how much they get done in a few days. It’s not because they’re working harder. It’s because they’re finally working without interruption.
June 11 to 14: Art Journaling Retreat – The Joy of Making
This is usually where people loosen up again.
Over these four days, we’ll move through gel printing, painted papers, collage, layering, and all kinds of mixed media exploration. The studio turns into a working space pretty quickly. Things get messy in the best way.
Some sessions are guided, especially when you’re learning something new. Other times, you’ll have open studio space to follow whatever is pulling your attention.
That’s where a lot of the good work happens.
You’re not trying to make something perfect. You’re making a lot of things. Trying combinations. Seeing what sticks. Letting it build.
What people notice by the end is that starting feels easier again. The hesitation drops.
If you’ve been stuck in your head or struggling to stay consistent, this tends to break that pattern.
And if you’re wondering whether you need experience to join, we talk more about that in Do I need to be creative to attend a retreat?
Due to an unexpected change for one of our guests, one of the best rooms in the house just opened up.
It’s a second-floor room with a private marble bath and soaking tub, set up for double occupancy if you’re coming with a friend or prefer a little extra space.
At the time of publishing, there are 7 spots left in this retreat.
June 18 to 21: Cyanotype and Eco Printing Retreat
This one feels different right away.
We spend more time outside. You’re working with what’s around you. Leaves, flowers, whatever catches your eye.
Cyanotype uses sunlight to create those deep blue prints. Eco printing pulls color and pattern directly from plant material. Both have structure, but neither is fully predictable.
And honestly, that’s part of the appeal.
You’ll learn the foundations first, how to prep, how to layer, how to get consistent results. But pretty quickly, you’ll start experimenting. Mixing techniques. Trying things you’re not completely sure will work.
Some of it won’t. Some of it will surprise you.
What people usually take away from this one isn’t just the finished pieces. It’s a different relationship with their work. A little less control. A little more curiosity.
At the time of publishing, there are 6 spots remaining in this retreat.
June 25 to 28: Pick Your Own Project Art Retreat (Only 3 Spots Left)
This is the one people come to when they’re ready to actually finish something.
It’s a smaller group, and the structure is simple. You choose what you want to work on, and you stay with it.
This is very much a choose-your-own-adventure experience.
You can pick up to three projects from the list, and I’ll make sure everything is ready and we have time to walk through each one together.
If you move quickly, you’re not stuck waiting. You can jump into something new, try a different technique, or keep going deeper on what you’re already doing.
Some people spread out across a few projects. Others go all in on one.
Most people find there’s enough time to finish what they start, especially if they stay focused. It’s pretty common to complete two or three pieces over the retreat, depending on what you choose.
I’m there the whole time to guide, troubleshoot, and help you push things further when you’re ready.
And yes, there are only 3 spots left.
What’s Included in Every Big Raven Farm Art Retreat
This isn’t just studio time. The whole experience is designed so you can actually settle in and work.
Expert-Led, Hands-On Art Workshops
You’ll be actively making from the start. Gel printing, collage, layering, mixed media. Some structured, some wide open.
You can follow along, or you can branch off. Most people do a bit of both.
Either way, you leave with new techniques and work that feels like yours.
Comfortable, Thoughtfully Designed Accommodations
You’re staying right here at the farm.
The spaces are quiet, comfortable, and set up so you can rest well at night and come back ready to work the next day. Good wifi if you need it, but most people find they don’t reach for it much.
Farm-to-Table Dining That Supports Your Energy
Meals are part of the rhythm here.
Everything is made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and it’s meant to support your energy, not slow you down.
Space to Reset: Relaxation and Self-Care
You don’t have to be “on” the whole time.
There are trails, porches, quiet corners, and a yoga space if you want it.
A Small Group That Actually Connects
The groups are small enough that conversations happen naturally. You see what others are working on, share ideas, and pick things up along the way.
What You Gain Here vs Trying to Do This at Home
Be honest for a minute.
How much uninterrupted time do you really get at home?
We run these retreats, and we still catch ourselves doing it. “I’ll just take care of one quick thing…” and suddenly the time is gone.
Taking time like this can feel indulgent at first. It’s not. It’s necessary. We’ve talked more about that in Why women need retreats.
Here, your time is protected. The space is ready. You can actually stay with your work long enough to see it through.
That’s when things start to change.
People leave with finished pieces. Or work that’s moved further than it has in months.
If you’ve been stuck in that cycle, this is how you break it. Book your spot and give yourself the time you’ve been trying to carve out on your own.
What to Expect at a Big Raven Farm Retreat
If you’re wondering what the days actually look like, we shared more in A Day in the Life at a Minnesota Retreat.
You’ll be working. You’ll have space. And you’ll get more done than you expect.
Reserve Your Spot
You already know how it goes at home.
Here, it’s different.
Time is protected. Space is intentional. And when those come together, things move.