RENEWAL ~ Celebrating a Return to the Light

A full day poetry & art retreat
with Lisa Kagan and Dawn Thompson

“I am the fire within, which will not be contained any longer. I am the quickening, I am the serpent uncoiling…
I am the dream of awakening.”
~Author Unknown

Seed, Acrylic Painting by Lisa Kagan

Join us on February 1st for a day of celebration, community, and creativity as we honor the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This retreat is inspired by Imbolc, a Celtic festival that begins on the evening of February 1, 2025. Imbolc symbolizes the return of the light, the beginning of spring, and the growth of new life. Candles are often lit to honor the return of the sun. Entering into this seasonal shift invites us to cleanse and purify, while planting seeds of intentions for the year ahead. Through poetry and art, we will explore the return of the light within us, honoring this time of renewal, healing, and new beginnings through the creative process. Combining writing, painting, drawing, and collage, we will create personal lanterns to guide us as we move forward into the year and the coming spring. This soulful gathering offers us the chance to deeply nourish and refresh ourselves in the supportive and inspiring company of other women.

This retreat offers space for creative expression for women of all ages and backgrounds. All women are welcome, including cisgender, transgender and those whose gender identity aligns with womanhood. No writing or art experience is necessary, all art materials will be provided. Participants will be asked to bring a bag lunch. Tea and light snacks will provided throughout the day.

Date: Saturday February 1, 2025
Time: 10:30am-5pm
Retreat Program Fee: $200
Art Materials Fee: $15
Total fee: $215
Location: This retreat will be held at Lisa’s studio at her home in the Woodstock neighborhood in Southeast Portland.

Registration: Online registration for this retreat is available here. To register for the retreat and pay by check, please contact Dawn at: dawnrenethompson@gmail.com or 503.568.6145. Due to the limited number of participants we can accommodate, early registration is recommended.

To learn more about Touchstone Retreats visit: https://familyheirloomarts.com/touchstone-retreats/

“I have now been to two art and writing retreats with Dawn Thompson and Lisa Kagan and both provided so much healing for my soul. There is nothing like gathering with others to create. Much like meditating with a group of people, the experience is very powerful in a way that cannot be replicated on your own. Dawn and Lisa are both very thoughtful, kind and supportive and just an inspiration to work with. I feel very nurtured with them, even (especially) at my most vulnerable moments sharing my work with the group. I am so grateful for them and can’t wait to retreat with them again!”
– Touchstone Retreats Participant

About Touchstone Retreats Facilitators:

Lisa & Dawn are the co-founders of Touchstone Retreats.

Lisa Kagan is a writer, artist, creative facilitator, and personal historian. Her business, Family Heirloom Arts, is dedicated to helping individuals and families celebrate their life stories and significant life milestones through conducting oral history interviews and creating illustrated heirloom books. She offers art and writing retreats throughout the Pacific Northwest. Lisa believes in the transformative nature of the creative process to heal, empower, challenge, inform, and awaken the human spirit. Lisa received her BA from Wesleyan University in Connecticut with a focus on writing and fine art. She has completed intensive studies in the arts at Skidmore College, the University of New Mexico, Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and the Maine Photographic Workshops. Lisa has published two books of original art and poetry, Coming Home to Myself (2021) and Emergence (2009).

Contact:
Lisa Kagan
503.347.1391
FamilyHeirloomArts.com
Lisa@FamilyHeirloomArts.com

Dawn Thompson believes writing our stories, whether they originate from our life experience or our imagination, is a sacred act that liberates, heals and transforms us. Dawn is passionate about how writing in community offers us the gift of becoming more intimate with ourself and more connected to one another. She currently offers writing workshops for women and individuals healing from cancer through Words for Healing. Dawn oversaw and facilitated through Portland Women Writers from 2008-2023. She has also worked as a staff member for Write Around Portland. Dawn holds an M.A. in Creation Spirituality from Naropa University and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oregon.

Contact:
Dawn Thompson
503.568.6145
dawnrenethompson@gmail.com
https://words-for-healing.com/

Touchstone Retreats Health & Safety Policy
• We ask that all retreat participants do a self-evaluation before coming to the retreat and that they remain at home if they have any symptoms of illness.

Touchstone Retreats Cancellation Policy (for full day retreats)
Payment is fully refundable with one month’s cancellation notice. Participants will be charged for 25% of the total program fee with less than a month’s notice up to 14 days prior to the start of the program. No refund is possible with less than a 14-day cancellation notice. Family emergency situations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If you have a COVID related situation arise and you need to cancel, please contact Dawn Thompson at dawnrenethompson@gmail.com or 503.568.6145.