Last Christmas, my friend opened an envelope and found a handwritten note that said: Pack your favorite paintbrushes, we’re going to Big Raven Farm. She didn’t cry exactly, but her eyes definitely glistened. A weekend surrounded by art supplies, laughter, and people who “get it”? Best gift ever.
If you’ve ever watched someone you love lose themselves in a creative project, head tilted, brow furrowed, maybe a little paint on their cheek, you already know the look. That deep, happy concentration that only happens when they’re making something with their hands. What if you could give them a few days to live in that feeling?
That’s what our art retreats at Big Raven Farm are all about.
We’ve designed our 2026 retreat calendar for the makers, the dreamers, and the “I-used-to-paint-but-life-got-busy” crowd. It’s the kind of gift that doesn’t gather dust or get re-gifted. It becomes a memory, a reset, a spark that lasts far longer than the weekend itself.
Why a Retreat Beats Any Store-Bought Gift
Let’s be honest: most gifts don’t last. The sweater pills, the candle burns down, the craft kit gets buried under bills and laundry. But a weekend away to create, laugh, and rest? That lingers.
A Big Raven Farm Retreat is a mix of art, relaxation, and delicious food wrapped up in a setting so beautiful it almost feels unreal. Guests come to make things with their hands, but they leave having made new friends too.
When you gift a retreat, you’re giving:
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Creative renewal through space to experiment and play with color, texture, and imagination
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Chef-crafted meals that make you close your eyes with the first bite
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Rest that settles deep into your bones, surrounded by quiet fields and friendly faces
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Connection with art, with others, and with yourself
We take care of the details so your loved one can just show up, exhale, and create.
2026 Art Retreat Highlights
Our 2026 retreat lineup celebrates art in all its messy, colorful, and restorative forms. Whether your gift recipient loves glue sticks or fine brushes, there’s something that will spark joy.
🖌 Mixed Media Collage:
Think paint, paper, texture, and freedom. This retreat is about rediscovering your inner artist, layering color, experimenting with materials, and making something beautiful just because you can. Participants leave with a collection of finished projects and the confidence to keep creating at home.
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Eco-Printing & Cyanotype 
Nature is the studio for this one. Guests gather leaves, petals, and found materials, then use sunlight, steam, and chemistry to reveal stunning organic patterns. It’s half science experiment, half magic, and completely addictive.
Each retreat is led by artists who love to teach, and no experience is required. Just curiosity, an open heart, and a willingness to get a little paint on your hands.
The Big Raven Farm Experience
Big Raven Farm sits in the rolling hills of southeastern Minnesota, surrounded by fields, forests, and that quiet kind of peace you can actually feel. The farmhouse itself feels like stepping into an art-filled dream, with every wall lined with original pieces and every table ready for creation.
Chef Darin handles the food, and let’s just say, you’ll talk about those meals for months. He’s the kind of cook who believes food is love, and it shows. Breakfasts are hearty and cheerful, lunches are long and chatty, and dinners feel like celebrations.
Days flow gently here. Mornings start with yoga or coffee on the porch. Then come the art projects, the laughter, and the occasional “look what I made!” Moments turn into memories. Evenings wind down with a glass of wine, a gorgeous meal, and a sky full of stars.
It’s not fancy. It’s real, comfortable, welcoming, and filled with warmth.
Why Experiential Gifts Matter
Research and common sense both say people remember experiences, not things. A retreat becomes a story they’ll tell for years: “Remember when we stayed at that farmhouse and learned how to make eco-prints from wildflowers?”
And unlike another gadget or gift card, this one comes with peace of mind and probably a new best friend or two.
If you’re looking for something meaningful, something that says I see your creative heart and I want you to have time for it, this is that gift.
Booking Early for 2026
Our art retreats are small on purpose, usually 12 to 14 guests, so everyone gets attention, space, and time. That also means they fill quickly. If you want to surprise someone with a retreat weekend or treat yourself, now’s the time to look at the 2026 retreat calendar.
You can reserve a specific retreat or purchase a gift certificate that lets them choose the one that fits their heart and schedule best.
Give the Gift of Creativity, Connection, and Calm
Big Raven Farm retreats are about more than art. They’re about coming back to yourself through brush strokes, shared meals, quiet mornings, and laughter that rolls through the kitchen.
So this year, skip the ordinary. Give something unforgettable.
Give them a few days of art, great food, and relaxation at Big Raven Farm.
Browse 2026 retreat dates and gift options at bigravenfarm.com