michelle guitard
Classic Title
NEW: Collingwood Art Retreat!! 6 days-5 nights
Collingwood Restorative Art/Yoga Retreat
2026!!
Choose your week! 12 participants
Week 1: July 19th-July 24th
Week 2: July 26th-31st
6 days 5 nights
Single (shared bath)$1850.00
Single (private ensuite) $2150.00
Double (shared bath) $1750.00
+tax- $450.00 dep due upon registration
PLAY :)
CHOOSE YOUR WEEK! RSVP TO REGISTER, SPOTS ARE LIMITED...CLICK BELOW
We are excited to announce our
new offering!!!
Imagine a week just for you — surrounded by kindred spirits, immersed in beauty, creativity, and restoration. Our retreat unfolds in the charming town of Collingwood, a place where the rugged shores of Georgian Bay meet the rolling landscapes of Blue Mountain. This is where water and sky stretch endlessly, and every sunset paints its own masterpiece.
We’ll gather in a stunning, light-filled retreat house nestled at the top of Blue Mountain, a sanctuary designed for both inspiration and deep rest. Here, each morning begins with the scent of fresh air and the promise of a day filled with nourishing experiences.
Our days will flow with a balance of creative exploration and wellness indulgence:
• Plein air painting in the soft summer light at a local lavender field, the purple fragrant blooms swaying gently around us.
Cooking class exploring vegan dishes and local farm ingredients.
• Kayaking along the crystal waters of Georgian Bay, where you can glide through quiet coves or feel the exhilaration of open water.
• An afternoon at the world-renowned Scandinave Spa, where thermal baths, steam rooms, and forest views will ease every muscle.
• Dinner at a local farm/glasshouse, culminating in a magical candlelight dinner featuring local, fresh, seasonal dishes.
Throughout the week, we’ll share delicious vegan meals crafted to energize and delight, using the region’s freshest ingredients. In between, Collingwood’s vibrant arts scene, boutique shops, and live music will be just minutes away — offering a taste of local culture to complement our time together.
This is more than a getaway — it’s a restorative, creative immersion where you can reconnect with yourself, explore your artistry, and be uplifted by the company of like-minded women. By week’s end, you’ll carry home not only your creations, but also the warmth of new friendships, renewed energy, and the memory of Georgian Bay’s endless horizon.
This workshop is for all levels, beginners welcome!! We will focus on painting techniques in both acrylic and watercolour. We will begin the week with a guided painting workshop. Then, we will spend an afternoon exploring plein air techniques at local lavender farm as well as keeping a travel/sketch journal to document our days! Artists will learn
how to simplify a subject and interpret color and value relationships
in order to create depth and vibrancy. 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.
MOST IMPORTANT IS PLAY!!! I WILL ENCOURAGE YOU TO FIND THAT PART OF YOURSELF THAT HAS BEEN LOST....LETS LEARN TO PLAY AGAIN!!!!
Included:
Accomodations
Vegan meals ( all breakfasts and 3 lunches, 2 dinners)
Cooking class
All art supplies
Scandinave spa day
Yoga/meditations sessions
Group Kayak (lazy Beaver River)
Tea, coffee, water
Not included:
Transportion to and from Collingwood
Alcohol
The Retreat House
The Retreat House is an all female run business perched at the top of Blue Mountain, is a sanctuary of serenity and warmth—designed to make guests feel both deeply connected to nature and luxuriously cared for. Its red-clad exterior gives it a welcoming, rustic charm, while inside, every detail speaks of comfort.
Meals
All meals are vegan. Meals are made with love by in house chefs. Most of your retreaters are not vegan, however with over 10 years experience hosting retreats at the Retreat House, everyone who attends rave about the absolutely delish, nourturing food.
Atmosphere & Setting
Fresh mountain air flows through the property, carrying the scent of pine and the quiet hush of nature. The location feels like a private oasis, away from crowds, where you can step outside and instantly be surrounded by the sweeping beauty of Georgian Bay and the forested trails that wind through the area.
Accommodations
Inside, cozy beds with plush linens promise restful nights, while sweet bunkies (private, small cabins) offer a more secluded stay for those craving extra quiet. Fires crackle in the common spaces, creating a sense of gathering and warmth, perfect for intimate conversations or curling up with a good book.
Outdoor Spaces
The property opens onto a network of hiking trails, inviting morning walks or sunset strolls. Little nooks—both indoors and out—are thoughtfully placed for moments of retreat, whether that’s sipping tea in a window seat, journaling under the trees, or meditating by the fire pit.
Overall Experience
This is more than just a place to sleep—it’s a place to slow down, restore, and reconnect. From the glow of the hearth to the soft rustle of leaves along the mountain paths, the retreat house is a perfect blend of nature’s peace and human comfort.
Perched high atop the rolling beauty of Blue Mountain, the retreat house welcomes you like an old friend—its red-clad walls glowing warmly against the backdrop of sky and forest. Here, the air is crisp and clean, carrying the scent of cedar and pine, and every breath feels like a gentle invitation to slow down.
Inside, a world of comfort awaits. Cozy beds beckon after a day of adventure, while sweet bunkies offer tucked-away sanctuaries for those who crave privacy. Fires burn steadily in the hearth, their soft crackle mingling with the quiet hum of conversation and laughter. Every corner holds a little nook for escape—places to curl up with a book, sip tea, or simply watch the light dance through the trees.
Step outside, and nature embraces you. Winding trails lead you into the whispering woods, where each turn offers a new view, a fresh perspective. Here, you might find yourself pausing to watch the sun melt into Georgian Bay or listening to the wind weave its way through the treetops.
This is not just a place to stay—it’s a place to restore. A private oasis where warmth, comfort, and nature meet. A place where time slows, spirits lift, and the simple joy of being in the moment returns to you, again and again.
ITINERARY
NOTE: THIS IS YOUR WEEK TO REST, RELAX, RESTORE.
YOU CAN DO AS LITTLE OR AS MUCH AS YOUR HEART DESIRES.
MICHELLE WILL MAKE HERSELF AVAILABLE DURING FREE TIME FOR MORE ART/JOURNALLING/CREATING
Day 1
Arrival - 5pm Check in
5:00pm-6:30pm Orientation/Appetizers
7pm Welcome Dinner
9pm Opening Fire Ceremony/Restorative yoga
Day 2
8:30pm Breakfast
10am-2pm Art Workshop (we will be painting a guided landscape in acrylic on canvas)
12-12:45pm (Lunch Break)
2pm-6:00pm Free time (many options will be provided eg hiking trails, shopping etc)
6:00pm Dinner
7:30pm Sound Bowl Ceremony/Campfire
Day 3
8:30am Breakfast
9:45am-3pm Plein Air at local Lavender Fields
12:45-1:30 pm Lunch Break at Fields
6 pm Dinner
7:30-8:30pm Writing/Beading Talisman Workshop
Day 4
8:30am Breakfast
9:45-12pm Group Kayak on Beaver River
1-6pm Fee time (hiking trails, shopping, journaling etc)
6 pm Dinner
7:30pm Surprise Musical Guest!!!
Day 5
8-9am Restorative Yoga
9:30am Breakfast
10am-4:30pm Free day! (kayaking, paddle board, beach, shopping,
painting with Michelle, hike the local trails or just relax!)
4:30-6:30 Flower Crown Making
7 pm Farewell Dinner
8:45 pm Closing Meditation/Campfire
Day 6
Departure
8:30-9:30am Breakfast
11am Check out
*itinerary subject to change re weather, availability etc
GALLERY
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Lead Facilitator/Instructor
Michelle Guitard is a professional fine artist and art instructor with over 15 years of experience inspiring creativity through teaching, mentorship, and immersive retreats. She teaches at the Dundas Valley School of Art and runs her own art school, Art and Soul Creative, where she nurtures artists of all levels.
Michelle leads both international and domestic art retreats in Collingwood, Italy, Morocco and Mexico, blending cultural exploration with hands-on artistic growth. As a mentor, she is dedicated to guiding students in developing their unique voice and technical skills. Working primarily in acrylic on canvas, Michelle’s fine art is represented by galleries across Canada and is celebrated for its vibrant style, symbolic depth, and emotional resonance.
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.
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. I have known Catherine for a few years, and feel tremendous gratitude for her nurturing skills in both restorative yoga and meditation.
*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.