Interlochen College of Creative Arts announces Nature and Art retreat
From gentle yoga at sunrise to talks about nature and dedicated time to create, ICCA’s latest offering promises a restorative haven for artists of all ages and stages.
Each year, adult learners and creatives flock to Interlochen’s campus for programs hosted by Interlochen College of Creative Arts (ICCA). They leave with sharpened skills and expanded knowledge in music, creative writing, visual arts, dance, environmental sustainability, and more. This summer, ICCA is offering a program that invites participants to enjoy mindful creativity while exploring the natural beauty of Interlochen’s campus. The Nature and Art Retreat offers a focused setting for artists of all ages and stages to refine their craft—while learning about nature and environmental sustainability in an accessible, enriching way.
“ The goal is to provide a space where people can practice their art or even just practice mindful reflection on what they're learning and observing,” says Emily Umbarger, Director of Sustainability and Instructor of Agricultural Science at Interlochen Center for the Arts. “We want everyone to feel a sense of community while they enjoy nature and maybe learn a little bit of science along the way.”
The schedule includes a garden immersion experience and soil and composting classes. Participants can also learn how to grow their own herbs at home. Other offerings include a gentle sunrise yoga session, canoeing on the lake, and low-impact hikes. Mary Ellen Newport, retired Interlochen Instructor of Ecology & Advanced Biology, will lead a much-anticipated birding walk on Saturday.
Each day of the retreat has generous time built in to allow participants to create art and reflect on their surroundings in whatever way comes most naturally to them. A notebook, paints, pencils, and more are suggested supplies.
“ For some people, it could be sketching or writing about the things you observe,” says Umbarger. “You might pick up little specimens of leaves and flowers and press them in your journal as you go. It could be working with watercolors, or bringing your guitar and just enjoying the beauty around you. There’s plenty of freedom for all of those pursuits.”
The retreat celebrates Interlochen’s renowned natural resources: 1,200 acres of pine forest situated between two sparkling lakes. It’s the perfect chance for busy individuals to set technology aside and find respite from the outside world.
“ This retreat gives you the gift of time that's specifically set aside to create art,” says Umbarger. “It's meant to be a meditative and refreshing opportunity to reconnect with yourself, with an intentional community, and with the natural world around us.”
The sunrise yoga on Friday, which is an optional offering, welcomes participants to step into the present moment and set intentions for the entire retreat.
“You're waking up with nature as it's waking up,” Umbarger reflects.”You’re immersing yourself wholly in the experience of the outdoors, and starting your day in a very gentle, thoughtful, and mindful way with the rest of the community.”
Sustainability-focused workshops will help participants connect to nature in an even more meaningful way.
“Learning about plants, soil, and composting will support our observations of nature, helping us enjoy it beyond its aesthetic beauty,” Umbarger notes. “You’ll walk away with an understanding of why these plants and mushrooms are in this particular area, or why these birds are at this lakeshore.”
When asked what she’s most excited for about the retreat, Umbarger is quick to respond.
“I love connecting with other people and getting them excited about nature. The most valuable thing to me is getting to build a sense of community where we are all inspired to care a little more about something we didn't care about quite so much yesterday.”
On the sparkling water, under swaying trees, and in dedicated spaces for art-making, Nature and Art Retreat participants are bound to find some much-needed peace—and plenty of creative inspiration.
Learn more about the Nature and Art Retreat.
