michelle guitard
Classic Title
Algonquin Park Retreat
Algonquin Plein Air Art/Yoga Retreat
2025!!
Choose your week!
Week 1: July 21st-July 26th
Week 2: July 28th-Aug 2nd
6 days 5 nights
$895.00 per person +tax- $350.00 dep due upon registration
We are excited to announce new 2025 dates for our Algonquin Park Art/Yoga Retreat!
( 6 days, 5 nights $895.00 per person. $350.00 deposit required upon registration, balance due two weeks prior to event )
Algonquin park, the treasure of central Ontario will be our location for another spectacular workshop.
Join us for this five day tent camping adventure July 30th- Aug 3rd 2024. This is an amazing opportunity to spend time outdoors with like-minded creatives in one of Canadas most diverse and stunning landscapes. We have planned a magical week with daily artistic activities, yoga and opportunities to canoe, kayak, paddle board and hiking. Inspiring evenings under a blanket of stars and restoration in nature.
*Catherine Matisse local yoga instructor will be providing yoga/meditation sessions
Art has always been integral to the Algonquin Park experience! Algonquin Park, ON – Tom Thomson (1877-1917), one of Canada’s most
important and influential artists created a distinct approach to portraying rugged Canadian landscapes, particularly in Algonquin Park. Thomson’s images are characterized by intense colour, bold brush strokes, and evocative moods. We will explore the beautiful lakes and capture breath-taking scenes, colour and light at all hours of the day. All of the locations we will paint will be in close proximity to our camp site. However, you can venture out on the many trails available and lake views. The park is full of unmeasured beauty just waiting for us to paint. The mid-week timing will help us avoid the masses of people who visit the park on weekends. What better setting to inspire your next masterpiece?
This workshop is for all levels and will focus on painting outdoors. Artists will learn
to quickly gather the necessary visual information needed to complete a painting in the field.
Learning how to simplify a landscape and interpret color and value relationships
in order to create depth will be a primary focus of this workshop. Other
fundamental concepts will also be discussed including:
how to compose and design a landscape, and the importance of values, shapes and edges.
There will be demonstrations, critiques and lots of one-on-one instruction.
My workshops are geared for one on one attention to each and every participant. I love painting, but I also deeply love teaching.
I will spend time with each of you guiding and teaching as you:
* Explore 'How to see simply' (break down and design a complex scene), compose and sketch your painting
* Values in black and white, values in color, the light planes and building depth
* Evaluate color choices and value massing, color theory and color mixing
* Plan and execute the three phases of the painting. Learn to paint in set phases
* Add the accents and highlights
Included:
Camp site fees
Parking pass
Meals (all meals prepared and provided at camp site (exception one dinner and two lunches and local restaurant)
(All cutlery, dish-ware, cups, utensils, paper towels etc)
All art supplies
Paddle for guided “paint paddle” art project
Yoga/meditations sessions
Tea, coffee, water
Not included:
*PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR OWN SPECIAL SNACKS, DRINKS, INCLUDING ALCOHOL
Camping supplies (list of suggestions will be provided upon registration also see below)
Tent
Sleeping bag
Pillow
Cots, blow up mattress etc.
Kayaks, canoe, paddle board rentals
Transportation to and from park
WHERE ARE WE CAMPING?
Lake of Two Rivers Campground
Visit www.lakeoftworivers.ca
click the Lets Go button!
ITINERARY
NOTE: SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON WEATHER. BE PREPARED FOR A FLUID WEEK! LETS HOPE WE HAVE LOTS OF SUNSHINE :)
Day 1
Arrival - 2pm Check in tent set up (lots of helping hands for this)
3-5 pm Orientation
6:00pm Dinner
8:30pm Opening Campfire Ceremony/Meditation
Day 2
6:45-7:45 am Beach Yoga Sunrise
8:30-9:30 am Breakfast
9:45-11:45 am Art Workshop
12-1 pm Boxed lunch
1-2:30 pm Break
2:30-5 pm Art/Hike
6:00 pm Dinner
8:30 pm Campfire
Day 3
8:30-9:30 am Breakfast
9:45-11:45 am Art Workshop
12-1 pm Lunch
1-4 pm Art Gallery/bring sketch books
6 pm Dinner
8 pm Sunset Yoga on Docks
9:30 pm Camp Fire (optional)
Day 4
8:30-9:30 am Breakfast
9:45-4:30 pm Paddle Art Workshop
6 pm Dinner
8:45 pm Camp fire *fire log intention
Day 5
8:30-9:30 am Breakfast
10:00 am-6 pm Free day! Spend the day kayaking, canoeing,
painting with Michelle, hike the local trails or just relax
6 pm Farewell dinner at Canoe Lake
8:45 pm Meditation/campfire
Day 6
Departure - Checkout dismantle site/pack
8:30-9:30 am Breakfast
2pm Check out
Final goodbyes
*option to go hiking, visit area further at your own leisure
*itinerary subject to change re weather, availability etc
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
DIRECTIONS
A PACKAGE WILL BE PROVIDED CLOSER TO OUR DEPARTURE FOR DIRECTIONS TO OUR CAMPSITE
Location
-
The Lake of Two Rivers Campground is located at km 31.8 of Highway 60
*CANCELLATION POLICY: YOUR DEPOSIT IS NON REFUNDABLE IF YOU CANCEL AT ANYTIME PRIOR TO THE RETREAT DATE. YOUR ENTIRE PAYMENT IS NON REFUNDABLE IF YOU CANCEL LESS THAN 1 WEEK PRIOR TO YOUR RETREAT UNLESS YOU CAN FILL YOUR SPOT WITH ANOTHER PARTICIPANT.
CO-FACILITATORS
Its always important for me to create a team with a wide range of skill sets and talents! Id like to introduce to you Catherine Mattice and Alison Ray. I have known Catherine and Alison for a few years, and feel tremendous gratitude they will be accompanying us during our week to Algonquin!!
Thank you kindly ladies!
Michelle
Yoga Instructor
In 2001, after 20 years working in corporate marketing, PR and communications, Catherine stepped away from the office and onto her mat to discover the magic of yoga. Hooked after the first downward dog, she inadvertently discovered a new life path. Over time, the principles and practices of yoga directed her towards the beautiful healing energies of Reiki and meditation. Catherine completed her 200 RYT as a Hatha Yoga instructor with Barb Leese in 2012. Constantly seeking to expand her knowledge, she has attended over 150 hours of therapeutic yoga workshops with various international yogis. She completed her final certification as Master Reiki Healer in 2016. In addition to offering individual Reiki healing treatments, she also incorporates a group Reiki healing at the end of every yoga or meditation class during final savasana. Catherine also leads group meditation classes, in person and online.
Outdoor Leader
Alison is an elementary teacher who is in her 26th year of teaching with the Upper Grand District School Board. She has taught Grades 4 - 12 and especially loves her current grades, 4 and 5. Alison lives in Guelph with her husband, Heinrich, and is enjoying rediscovering her love of art, specifically painting, as both of her children are off to post-secondary education. Alison met Michelle at one of the Collingwood retreats two years ago and the retreat ignited a passion that she had put aside for years. Alison is now a regular member of Michelle's immersive class and soaks up everything 'art' when time permits. She is looking forward to retirement! Alison and her family have been visiting Algonquin Park for over twenty years and they spend a good portion of every summer in the park as her children work for a company on Canoe Lake. Alison brings her knowledge and love of the area to this retreat and is helping to navigate and manage the camping logistics.
GALLERY
TESTIMONIALS
This was my first Algonquin Park visit. I have always wanted to go. This retreat my exceeded my expectations!! It was well organized and accommodating to all guests. I cant pick a favourite thing, there were so many good parts. The food was also exceptional. There were many options, but I loved the paddle painting, Michelle is an amazing teacher! Wonderful schedule for the week.
I was beyond impressed by the thoughtful organization, beautiful location, and superb instruction of the Retreat. I’m leaving with a stronger practice, a deeper love for Art and some much needed relaxation. The leaders were amazing! So, so good. I loved the energy and variety of activities. The paddle workshop was the best!! I just wish It had been longer :)
This week had been a wonderful experience for both body and soul. I feel that my camping, art and yoga skills have improved a good deal and the setting for all this was so peaceful and idyllic. The facilitators were so very welcoming, friendly, courteous and accommodating. My favourite part was the food, the Tom Thomson painting with Michelle and the paddle workshop. Catherine is a fantastic Yoga teacher!!
The Retreat was wonderful in every aspect. I got to try painting, which I had not done in years and maybe never would have if I had not signed up. The Yoga classes were top notch. Food was excellent every day. Algonquin Park is so beautiful – I will definitely recommend & return to The Algonquin Retreat esp. if Michelle is teaching. She made us feel comfortable and was so encouraging and positive. I learned so much. Alison, Michelle and Catherine really know what they are doing – wonderful hosts. Thank you for an amazing retreat. I loved it!