MOROCCO
MARRAKECH & ESSAOUIRA
The Morocco Creative Adventure:
Marrakech/Essaouira
Historic Riad Stay
12 days (we keep our groups smaller for a more immersive experience)
creative, cultural exploration of creativity and discovery!!
Upcoming Sessions:
March 23rd-April 03rd 2027
or
November 5th-16th 2027
Capture the vibrant, cultural, artful spirit of Morocco. As fine artists and art instructors, we will be guiding and mentoring through daily art journaling in our handmade travel journals during these workshops, we will be focused on creative play and creative discovery using watercolours and mixed media. Together, we will also explore and be inspired by the historic, colourful streets, food, art and stunning architecture of Morocco. Our group will fully take over a private, beautiful Riad as our creative base.
This experience is designed to be deeply inspiring, fun, and open to all levels of creativity and art experience.
Payment Schedule
Single Participant
$6950.00 USD
Step One - Deposit
Initial Art Retreat Deposit:
$1500.00 USD
confirms your place in the workshop
non-refundable
Step Two - Accommodation Package
Accommodation Package:
$3200.00 USD
(to be paid directly to the accommodation provider below)
Riad Kbour & Chou
13 Derb Najem, Zaouia El
Abbassia 40000 Marrakech
002 12618895149
002 12675065470
Step Three - Final Payment
Remaining Art Retreat Balance:
$2250.00
Double Participant
$6450.00 USD
Step One - Deposit
Initial Art Retreat Deposit:
$1500.00 USD
(confirms you place in the workshop)
Step Two - Accommodation Package
Accommodation Package:
$2700.00 USD
(accommodation package is to be paid directly to the accommodation provider below)
Riad Kbour & Chou
13 Derb Enajem, Zaouia El
Abbaddia, 4000 Marrakech
002 12618895149
002 12675065470
Step Three - Final Payment
Remaining Art Retreat Balance
$2250.00 USD
Flights & Travel Logistics
(Flights NOT included)
All flights, airport transit, and travel documentation are arranged independently by the participant. To assist you with flights, train routes to Lucca, and European travel requirements, we work closely with an independent, TICO-registered travel agent:
Michelle Campbell
Direct Travel
6 Cameron Dr. Ancaster ON
1-866-648-4483
TICO# R5002962
Please note: You are completely free to utilize our recommended agent or coordinate your flights through your own preferred travel agent or booking service.
RSVP BELOW
It's time for your own personal journey!
You are invited into a sacred space where you can collect your thoughts and explore your heart. Greet the journal pages with sincerity and allow them to capture your unique light and reflect the essence of your soul. It's more than a collection of images, found objects and words, it's a personal artifact. A journal is a traveler's salve, soothing the commotion of our relentless thoughts by providing a safe container for them. A mindful, sacred space to call your own when travelling, a journal keeps us company. A personal traveling shrine or altar where you commune with only you. Keeping a journal while navigating the discoveries and obstacles that come with travel is a rare and extraordinary opportunity for growth.
"Elsewhere is a place where creativity grows."
YOUR ART INSTRUCTORS/MENTORS
STEPHANIE & MICHELLE
"Our shared experiences have fostered a unique bond that enables us to collaborate exceptionally well. We leverage each other's strengths and talents, honoring our ability to facilitate women's international art retreats while inspiring each other's creativity and talents." Stephanie and Michelle
Stephanie Danforth
Hi there! I'm Stephanie, the first chapter of my life was that of a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for twenty years. I loved it while it lasted, but art was calling and it was time for a new chapter!
I have been a full time self taught artist for the last 25 years. I live on the island of Martha's Vineyard, MA, (US) and my website is: stephaniedanforth.com. My main medium is oil paint, but I love anything creative, including etched metal, making sculptural angels from found objects, and my first love, watercolors. I believe that being an artist is reflective in the way we live our life. One of my most powerful palettes is that of travel.
A little more about me....
While attending a month-long artist residency in France in April of 2023, I realized how much being around other creatives filled me in a way I had never felt before. I realized how much I wanted that to be a part of my life from here on in. I am so excited that these International Retreats have come to fruition! Art and travel, how can you go wrong!
I love helping a person to reengage with their creative self, which might have been tucked away for years or just needs a little push! I love the curiosity, wonder and potential it opens when a person experiences their own creativity. It is a true honoring to create a vessel for exploration and wonder for like minded women. The gathering of women is so powerful, you add art into that mix and I do believe you have magic! Please come along on this fantastic journey!
Michelle Guitard
I'm Michelle, fine art painter, teacher, mentor and retreat facilitator. Living and working in St. George ON Canada. As the owner and operator of Art and Soul Creative, I have been an art instructor and retreat facilitator for 10 years. My passion is to share all of my creative tools and insights, while empowering my students to often rediscover their inner artist by connecting with another culture, with art, with each other and most importantly with ourselves.
A little more about me.....
30 years ago I completed a Graphic Design degree and furthered my fine art studies at York University and the University of Guelph. My primary focus was painting landscapes, female figures and birds in acrylic on canvas. I earned representation at galleries in Ontario and Alberta. In 2016 I began teaching workshops in my studio and at the Dundas Valley School of Art. My art began to evolve and my creative voice got louder. Running local and international art retreats has influenced my work in a very profound way. It is through creative communities that I have had the priviledge to witness the power and beauty of making art together. Much of my teaching and mentorship involves helping artists of all levels and practices to find their creative voice and establish a more consistent creative practice in their lives.
TRAVEL SKETCHBOOK
ART JOURNAL WORKSHOPS
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MOROCCO
our trip, lets go!
MARRAKECH
Marrakech is beautifully chaotic with a rich history dating back over 1,000 years to the days when mighty sultans ruled over the walled city. Today it is home to an incredibly pulsating energy that invites you to wander aimlessly in search of stunning architecture, a cup of sweet mint tea and maybe a spicy Tagine. Aside from being a multi-cultural mecca steeped in diverse history, Marrakech is also an incredibly modern city that embraces contemporary art. Artists flock here from all over Morocco, Africa and the world seeking creative inspiration and some never leave. Now it’s your turn to be inspired and immerse yourself in Morocco’s creative culture. The best way to experience it, is to get lost in the magical labyrinth of streets that comprises the medina – the old historic part of town with high stone walls. Take a deep breath, then plunge into the exotic maze of streets and passages lined with souks. It’s an explosion of sound, colour and smell. From carpets to spices to antiques – it’s a complete sensory overload. “This city taught me colour. Before that everything was black.” said legendary French designer Yves Saint Laurent of Marrakech, and his words still resonate with all who visit one of Africa’s most visually arresting cities. It is impossible not to be dazzled by the city’s kaleidoscopic array of crafts and colours: blood-red rugs and kilims, many-hued lanterns, and a polychromatic array of fabrics and leatherwork dyed in rich canary yellows, emerald greens and azure blues. Marrakech is already breaking new ground with Africa’s contemporary art scene and continues to expand its creative wings towards the future. Not surprisingly, the city has long attracted foreign artists. Images of Marrakech’s past take pride of place here, featuring dreamily romanticized visions of the city itself and the wider Maghreb region by artists ranging from Delacroix to long-term local resident Jacques Majorelle. For many visitors, it’s precisely this time-warped, Arabian Nights exoticism which is the source of the city’s enduring fascination.
ESSAOUIRA
"It is the coastal wind – the beautifully named alizee, or taros in Berber – that has allowed Essaouira (essa-weera, or es-sweera in Arabic) to retain its traditional culture and character. It is an artsy, bohemian beach town on the southern Atlantic coast of Morocco. Its laid-back vibe makes it a great place to recover from the chaos of the big cities, like Fes and Marrakesh. Known as the ‘Wind City of Africa’, it attracts plenty of windsurfers between April and November. A portal into the past, opens down Rue de la Sqala, a passageway off Essaouira’s main square, Place Moulay Hassan. Strolling alongside the high battlements, you pass beneath stone arches and ascend a long ramp to reach the city’s most scenic spot: a promenade lined with 18th-century cannons pointing out to sea. The wide walkway and its majestic watchtower offer sublime vistas of the craggy coast and the Purple Islands, where ancient Phoenicians and Romans crushed murex shells to make much-prized violet dyes. Seagulls whirl above and waves crash below. For a moment, time stands still. Wander through the spice-scented lanes and palm-lined avenues of the fortified medina, browse the many art galleries and boutiques, relax in some of the country's best hotels and watch fishing nets being mended and traditional boats being constructed in the hugely atmospheric port. Blue wooden fishing boats haul in the day’s catch and dromedaries roam the beaches. Come evening, the sunset casts its glow on the watchtowers. Surrounded by dramatic, wave-lashed ramparts, the narrow streets, hassle-free souqs, street vendors and vibrant galleries of Essaouira's walled medina make it a wonderful place to stroll. Dating from the late 18th century and added to Unesco’s World Heritage list in 2001, it was famously used in the opening scene of Orson Welles’ 1951 film Othello and, more recently, Game of Thrones."This city is full of wonder and inspiration, it is known as a city of art and artists. It has attracted artists from various backgrounds from far and wide, inspired by the town's light, colours and relaxed atmosphere. In recent years it has become somewhat of an artistic mecca, whose popularity has been consolidated since Frederic Damgaard, a Danish Islamic art enthusiast who took great interest in Essaouiras local farmers' and fishermen's artworks. He encouraged them to continue their artistic endeavours and launched the town's first art gallery in 1988 to bring these artists to international attention. Essaouira is reminiscent of an open air museum boasting art boutiques and galleries dotted throughout the medina, while many local artisans and artists displaying their works along the pavements. Souvenir shops also sell many artists' pieces, and various workshops are open to the public.
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ACCOMODATIONS
A boutique Riad situated in the middle of the Medina of Marrakech. Let yourself be guided by the cool air corridor leading you to the traditional patio. You will be enveloped by its bright and quiet atmosphere where only the chirping of birds comes to disturb the silence. Throughout your stay in the red city, the Riad will be your safe haven of peace, a timeless nest preserved from the bustle of the medina.
OUR SECOND RIAD
Tucked away in the Medina, this delightful sanctuary has a breezy, rustic seaside feel. The rooms are named and defined by different coloured tadelakt bathrooms, stripped wooden beams, charming driftwood style four poster beds, tiled floors, natural textiles and cozy lanterns. This riad has a serene, hippy vibe with an air of luxury. Light and bright white washed rooms overlook a courtyard with several terraces. The beach is moments away.
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PHOTO GALLERY Learn to make art
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Morocco Retreat Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome to Marrakech
Arrive at our beautiful riad in the heart of Marrakech and settle into your accommodations. In the evening, we’ll gather for a celebratory welcome dinner, introductions, and an orientation to the days ahead. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow artists, relax, and begin our creative adventure together.
Day 2 – Creating & Moroccan Traditions
Enjoy breakfast at the riad before beginning our first morning art workshop. After lunch together at the riad, we’ll experience the centuries-old tradition of a Moroccan hammam and spa—an unforgettable introduction to local culture and self-care. This evening we’ll enjoy dinner at one of our favourite local restaurants.
Day 3 – Art & the Medina
Following breakfast, we’ll continue our morning art workshop before gathering for lunch at the riad. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the vibrant Medina on a guided walking tour, wandering through colourful souks, hidden courtyards, and artisan workshops. Dinner will be served back at the riad.
Day 4 – Gardens & Inspiration
After breakfast, we’ll visit the breathtaking Jardin Majorelle and the renowned Yves Saint Laurent Museum, where bold colour, architecture, and design offer endless artistic inspiration. We’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the riad for a relaxing evening and dinner together.
Day 5 – Studio Time & Moroccan Cuisine
Breakfast at the riad will be followed by another immersive morning art workshop. After lunch, we’ll spend the afternoon creating before coming together for an authentic Moroccan cooking class, where we’ll prepare and enjoy dinner as a group.
Day 6 – Anima Gardens & Plein Air Painting
After breakfast, we’ll head to the extraordinary Anima Gardens, one of Morocco’s most enchanting landscapes. Surrounded by lush gardens, sculptures, and panoramic mountain views, we’ll sketch and paint en plein air before returning for our farewell evening in Marrakech.
Day 7 – Journey to Essaouira
Following breakfast, we’ll travel to the beautiful coastal city of Essaouira. After checking into our seaside riad, you’ll have time to settle in, explore the charming streets, and enjoy the slower pace of this UNESCO World Heritage city.
Day 8 – Coastal Creativity
After breakfast, we’ll gather for a morning art workshop inspired by the colours and atmosphere of the Atlantic coast. Lunch and dinner will be enjoyed at carefully selected local restaurants, showcasing the region’s renowned cuisine.
Day 9 – Painting by the Sea
Breakfast at the riad is followed by another morning art workshop. The afternoon offers time to continue painting, wander the harbour, or browse the local galleries and artisan shops. We’ll enjoy lunch and dinner together at local restaurants.
Day 10 – Exploring Your Creative Voice
Following breakfast, we’ll continue our morning workshop, building on the techniques and inspiration gathered throughout the retreat. Lunch will be at a local restaurant before returning to the riad for a relaxed dinner together.
Day 11 – Celebration of Our Creative Journey
After breakfast, we’ll gather for a final creative session as we review, reflect upon, and celebrate the artwork created throughout our Moroccan adventure. Enjoy a free afternoon to revisit favourite places, shop for treasures, or simply soak in the atmosphere of Essaouira before we come together for a memorable farewell dinner.
Day 12 – Departure
Enjoy one final breakfast before saying goodbye to new friends and Morocco. Depart with a portfolio filled with artwork, unforgettable memories, and renewed creative inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions: What is included in the Art Workshop Fee? Your Art Workshop Fee includes: Professional art instruction and creative mentorship with Michelle Guitard and Stephanie Danforth (where applicable) All art materials and supplies required for the workshops Demonstrations, creative exercises, and guided projects A supportive, inspiring, and welcoming creative environment What is included in the Accommodation Package? Your Accommodation Package varies by destination and is arranged directly with the accommodation provider. It generally includes accommodations, meals as outlined in the itinerary, airport transfers (where specified), and planned local experiences or excursions. What is not included? The following are generally not included unless otherwise stated: Flights to and from your destination Travel insurance (strongly recommended) Alcoholic beverages Personal purchases and souvenirs Spa treatments or optional activities not listed in the itinerary Laundry services Passport, visa, or entry requirements (where applicable) Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and hospitality staff (unless specified) Do I need previous art experience? Not at all. Our retreats are designed for all experience levels—from complete beginners to experienced artists. We provide personalized instruction so everyone can enjoy the creative process at their own pace. Are art supplies included? Yes! All art supplies required for your workshops are included. Simply arrive with your curiosity and creativity—we’ll take care of the rest. Will I receive more information after I RSVP? Absolutely. Once you RSVP, you’ll receive a comprehensive information package that includes important travel details, packing suggestions, arrival information, recommended travel insurance, payment schedules, and everything you’ll need to prepare for your retreat. Do I need travel insurance? Yes. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical coverage, trip cancellation, trip interruption, and baggage protection. Can dietary restrictions be accommodated? In most cases, yes. We work closely with our accommodation partners and chefs whenever possible to accommodate dietary needs. Please let us know your requirements when completing your registration information. What should I pack? A detailed packing list specific to your retreat destination will be sent to you after you RSVP. Cancellation & Refund Policy We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise. Because our retreats require significant advance commitments to accommodations, local partners, instructors, and experiences, the following cancellation policy applies to all international retreats. Initial Deposit A $1,500 USD deposit is required to reserve your space. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable under all circumstances. Second Payment The second payment is due approximately 8 months prior to the retreat departure date. Cancellation more than 180 days before departure: Any payments made beyond the non-refundable deposit will be refunded in full. Cancellation 90–179 days before departure: 50% of the second payment will be refunded. The initial deposit remains non-refundable. Cancellation fewer than 90 days before departure: The initial deposit and second payment are non-refundable. Final Payment The final balance is due approximately 75–90 days before departure. Once the final payment has been made, all payments are non-refundable, as accommodations, services, meals, transportation, and retreat experiences have been fully confirmed and committed on your behalf. If We Are Able to Fill Your Space If your cancelled space is filled by another participant, we will refund any recoverable amounts, less the non-refundable deposit and any unrecoverable costs or administrative expenses already incurred. Travel Insurance We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation, interruption, medical, and emergency coverage. Travel insurance is designed to protect you in the event of illness, family emergencies, travel disruptions, or other unforeseen circumstances that prevent you from attending your retreat. By submitting your deposit, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to this Cancellation & Refund Policy.