Unleash your creative potential.
You’re invited to Courage on Canvas!2024
Held at the Connecticut River Valley Inn in Glastonbury, Connecticut
Feeling stuck? Recharge your creativity, reignite your passion, and reconnect with your purpose!
Get un-stuck!
Have you been feeling…
- Drained and unable to create
- Trapped in a routine?
- Caught in a cycle of overwhelm
Awaken your imagination at the Courage on Canvas artist retreat! Five days of creating, connecting, and growth will build a purpose-driven momentum that you will take home with you.
Courage on Canvas – Artist Retreat 2023
Each day of the retreat features creative mindfulness exercises led by host Dionne Woods and artist and educator Kelly Wiler that will help you reclaim your power and feel empowered to take action in your life. The best part? You won’t be doing it alone because this inspiring retreat builds powerful connections with other artists that will last a lifetime.
Event & Experiences
Hosted by artist and creative coach Dionne Woods, Courage on Canvas will take place Friday, September 1st through Tuesday, September 5th at the beautiful Connecticut River Valley Inn located in idyllic Glastonbury, CT. These gorgeous boutique accommodations include modern amenities, a dedicated creative space, and meals during our stay. The wonderful Kelly Wiler will join us for five days of mindset, creativity, inspiration, connection, friendship, and COURAGE!
Your hosts will lead you through creative mindset exercises that will have you lowering your walls and picking up a paintbrush to connect with your art and others!
Meet Your Hosts
Dionne Woods
Dionne Woods of The Turquoise Iris is an artist, creative coach, podcast host, and BloomTV expert known for her vibrant and expressive style. Located in Oklahoma City, she is also the founder of The Turquoise Iris Magazine, a platform for artists and creatives to share their work and experiences. Through her mentorship groups, one-on-one coaching, and magazine, Dionne helps others tap into their creativity and find their unique voice through art.
Kelly Wiler
Kelly Wiler is an artist, educator, and the owner of Girl UPcycled Studio in Zanesville, Ohio. In addition to her in-studio classes, Kelly also teaches students from around the globe in her monthly membership group. Before opening her studio, Kelly worked for nearly 25 years supporting corporate companies in a variety of artistic roles around commercial window painting, decorating, event sites, and more.
Tickets
Onsite tickets include access to the retreat, meals, and shared overnight accommodations in the guest house at the Connecticut River Valley Inn.
Offsite tickets include access to the retreat, meals, and transportation to and from the retreat space provided by the Connecticut River Valley Inn.
Awaken Your Authentic Self
One of the reasons that so many creatives experience burnout is because we are trying to do it ALL… alone. If you’ve hit a wall then that’s a sure sign it’s time for you to join a choir of creativity and reconnect with the passion you once felt for creating! This retreat is all about building powerful relationships — with ourselves, our art, and each other — so that we feel empowered and brave enough to carry it all home with us.
It’s time to stop second-guessing your path and rediscover your purpose! During our time together, you’ll learn how to…
Believe in new possibilities
Recharge your creative batteries
Rediscover what makes you, you
Kick imposter syndrome to the curb
Unapologetically pursue joy
Connect deeply with other creatives
Testimonials
So, you should probably keep scrolling if you don’t want to hear again about how life changing Courage on Canvas retreat in Galveston was for me this past April, but then you would miss my newest plot twist. I poured my whole self into the retreat, and with an epiphany or two, I decided to make some major changes. In Galveston, I remembered our souls are born free, and I am free, but that sometimes I forget. I think we all do. I remembered that the world is huge, with infinite possibilities waiting out there, waiting for me to notice. Carpe Diem all the way, baby… I don’t know where it’s going, I just know I feel FREE 🦅
The best part about the retreats (besides the art one creates) are the friendships that one makes. We didn’t know each other but we left the retreat like we had known each other for years. You won’t find that kind of friendship and support anywhere else. I absolutely LOVED meeting these beautiful, creative, funny artists. We made some really great connections with everyone. The camaraderie, the sisterhood that develops is like no other. Don’t hesitate to do this for yourself. You won’t regret it and will be inspired and encouraged to step out of your shell to become a better artist, if not a better person.
Do not doubt just how much you NEED this!!! As long as you remain open and allow yourself to embrace the lessons provided, you will come away with a fresh understanding of what you are truly capable of.
It was really special for everyone who attended. We are all at different places yet able to relate to one another, giving and receiving encouragement. Loving and lifting each other in the sweetest environment. Dionne and her team bring so much goodness to the table that you will leave with more than you came with guaranteed. More skill, more courage, more love in your precious little heart. It’s just really something you have to experience to get so don’t deprive yourself of some well-deserved YOU time. YOU are better for everyone when you allow your cup to be filled!
Great memories! Everyone was so friendly, supportive, and just all-around happy to be together! Great vibes all around! Dionne was an absolute wonderful teacher and leader who can get to the heart of being a creative. Kelly is the sweetest soul, a beautiful heart and is a wonderful artist, teacher, and presence! I highly recommend it!
This trip to Galveston was a retreat indeed for me! I had such an amazing time just being there. What I took home with me was priceless. If anyone is thinking about going but is still hesitant, then my suggestion is to make it happen! With an open heart and mind and you won’t regret it.
My mindset changed after the retreat! I went from feeling alone and overwhelmed to being a part of a community and friends with support and encouraging love!
If you’re on the fence, scared or just not sure an art retreat is for you… I’ve attended all of Dionne’s retreats and a workshop at Kelly’s space in Ohio, along with many other spiritual/personal growth retreats, so I can promise you that this is an experience like no other! This retreat taught me so much about myself, my hesitations, my gifts and my creativity. I’ve been lucky enough to create amazing friendships and getting to reconnect with them at each retreat has added joy to my life that’s hard to explain. Give yourself the chance and the gift to learn from Dionne and Kelly and from all of the other women. It’s worth every moment, every penny, every fear, every new friendship and every discovery that you will come away with.
I highly recommend this retreat for new artists or longtime creatives. It will ignite a flame in you. You will be surrounded by so many people with understanding of what you do. It’s a love-of-creatives-fest! Even for new to canvas painters like me. There are so many different personalities to learn from… We even did a hair and beauty time!
Count me in!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the cost of my ticket cover?
We are offering two types of tickets for this retreat. Please make sure you select the correct one at checkout.
Your OFFSITE ticket includes all of the retreat events and meals. Offsite tickets also include transportation between the Inn and The Hilton Garden Inn Glastonbury and the Homewood Suites by Hilton Glastonbury.
Your ONSITE ticket includes all of the retreat events, meals, and shared accommodations. Accommodations at the Connecticut River Valley Inn are based on double or triple occupancy (shared) and include an en suite shared bath with shower, hair dryers, TV with Firestick. Internet access is available throughout the property.
What does 'shared room' mean for ONSITE tickets?
We are ecstatic to host Courage on Canvas from the beautiful Connecticut River Valley Inn in Glastonbury, Connecticut. It is a beautiful space for artists! In an effort to keep the cost of this event accessible, we are offering double or triple occupancy per room. This means if you are staying onsite, you will have roommates! While this approach may be challenging for some people, we encourage you to come with an open mind (and maybe earplugs). Some wonderful friendships have been made over the years at our retreats through shared accommodations! Please let us know if you are bringing a friend that you wish to room with.
If I purchase an OFFSITE ticket, where should I stay?
Two hotels are close to the Inn. The Hilton Garden Inn Glastonbury and the Homewood Suites by Hilton Glastonbury are good options. If you choose to stay offsite, please remember that this lodging is not included in your ticket price, but your meals and transportation between the hotel and Inn each day will be provided.
The Inn where we are hosting the retreat will provide transportation to and from the recommended hotels. If you stay at a hotel other than the two recommended hotels, please call the Inn to set up your own transportation.
How do I get to Glastonbury, Connecticut?
Glastonbury is located 7 miles southeast of Hartford, Connecticut. Bradley International Airport (BDL) is about 35 minutes from the Connecticut River Valley Inn.
I’m flying in - will you provide transportation from the airport to the Inn?
Yes! the Inn offers pickup and drop off to the Hartford, CT airport. We’ll have more information regarding these arrangements as we get closer to the event – make sure to join the private Facebook group after registering!
Please tell me more about the area!
The Connecticut River Valley Inn is located in a walkable neighborhood, both for shopping or walking along historic Main Street. It is steps from the riverfront for relaxing. Cute shops, restaurants, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s are all a short clip away.
Connecticut is home to a thriving artist community with a variety of galleries, studios, and performance spaces. The stunning natural settings, from rolling hills and forests to the coastline along Long Island Sound is sure to provide the perfect backdrop for inspiration!
What kind of food will be available?
The Inn will be catering our meals during the retreat. Please email any special dietary needs to Dionne@theturquoiseiris.com
After I purchase my ticket, how will I get information, like the itinerary, attendees, and updates?
You will receive an email right away with information, including a link to our private Facebook group for Courage on Canvas 2023.
Can I bring a friend?
Absolutely! Please arrange for your friend to purchase a ticket (or buy one for them!) and let us know when you register. Please let us know if you prefer to room together or separately.
When will I know who my roommate is?
We will email this information to you a few weeks before the retreat. If you sign up with a friend, please email dionne@theturquoiseiris.com for roommate requests.
What do I wear to an art retreat?
Please wear what you are comfortable in while painting. Bring an apron with you, too.
Are refunds available?
Due to limited availability, all purchases are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Photos of The Connecticut River Valley Inn
© The Turquoise Iris
