A series of immersive residential art retreats, hosted by Julia Christie, where artists are encouraged, equipped, and inspired to take their painting practice to the next level while resting and finding connection in the countryside.
Julia’s aim is to offer artists of all ages and abilities valuable hands-on tuition and encouragement in a totally relaxed and friendly environment of her studio.
Hosted in the Cotswolds and deeply inspired by atmospheric land and seascapes, each retreat is shaped by a range of natural settings. From mountain scenery and seascapes to treescapes, participants draw live inspiration from the region’s tranquil valleys and rolling hills.
Julia tailor makes each retreat to be as immersive as possible, guided by a shared landscape theme. You will have the opportunity to bring your own individual interpretation of the landscape to life through paint. The retreats are designed to unlock creativity, encourage self-expression, build confidence, and develop new painting techniques.
After a day in the studio, you will reside at The Hide Artist Retreat, an artist retreat venue, founded by Alice Sheppard Fidler, a practicing fine artist working in installation, sculpture, and performance. This setting offers a relaxed, nature-rich, and exclusive environment for rest, focus, and connection. The aim for the retreat is for you to leave feeling uplifted, energised and refreshed.
Discover our upcoming retreats below.
Cotswolds Retreat Dates:
13th – 17th February – FULL
12th – 16th March – Available
30th April – May 4th – Available
28th May – 1st June – FULL
25th – 29th June – Available
9th – 13th July – Available
20th – 24th August – Available
3rd – 7th September – Available
12th – 16th November – Available
More Dates coming soon…
Booking
To book a place on one of these retreats please email julia@juliachristie.co.uk with your request. A 50% deposit is required at this point (see ‘Booking and Payment’ below for further details) which can be paid by either bank transfer or cheque.
Prices
Per retreat attendee: £1850
Deposit: £925 (non-refundable and payable at time of booking)
Retreat prices are inclusive of the following:
- Three days specialist tuition from Julia Christie
- Four nights accommodation
- Choice of continental breakfast and eggs cooked to your choice daily
- Lunch, and tea/coffee and snacks when painting
- Some art materials
Please note: We warmly welcome accompanying partners. Non-painting partners may share accommodation with the painting participant. Please note that painting tuition is not included for accompanying partners. Pricing details are available upon enquiry.
A Retreat Day
A typical painting retreat day will feature demonstrations by Julia, a combination of studio work and, weather permitting, en plein air painting at one of the many inspiring sites in the local area.
The outline plan for each retreat day is as follows:
Breakfast: 8.30 a.m. – 9.00 a.m.
Morning Session: 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.
Lunch: 1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m.
Afternoon Session: 2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Dinner: A number of dining options are available locally.
(Please note that dinner costs are at attendees’ expense. Further advice and assistance in booking will be available).
On the final day, we will host a celebration of your work at 6.30 p.m.
Julia will phone to have a chat with you about your expectations and any requirements for your stay. This gives the opportunity for you to get to know each other a little, and also to ask any other questions you may have about the retreat, or your time in The Cotswolds.
Private retreat dates are available for groups of three or more. Individual tuition is also available on request
Location
Your Accommodation – The Hide Artist Retreat: A trains journey from central hubs including Birmingham & London. Also accessible by car and Located in a small Cotswolds Village, Amberley.
Meals and Refreshments
A continental breakfast and eggs cooked to your preference is available daily. Additionally, on studio-based days, tea or coffee and snacks, as well as a delicious lunch, will be provided. For evening dinners, there are plenty of local options a short journey away for you to explore. Then, on the retreat’s last night, refreshments will be served in the studio, where there will be the chance to enjoy a celebratory drink and discuss the week’s artwork on display before heading to a special close-of-retreat dinner.
Breakfast & Lunch is included. Dinner not included.
Non-Painting Partners
Julia also warmly welcomes non-painting partners to stay and relax at our retreats.
There is an abundant choice of local activities including Local walks along the common, woods and local villages to explore the traditional Cotswolds atmosphere and charm.
Julia will be happy to assist, as needed, with an alternative itinerary to suit non-painting partners’ individual needs and interests. Please contact Julia for further details.
An Art Retreat Experience to Savour and Remember
Come and share a truly memorable, inspirational and relaxing artistic retreat experience with Julia!
Testimonial
“We can’t quite put our painting fingers on why a week’s retreat with Julia is so amazing. Maybe, it’s immersion in the inspirational landscape to which Julia opens your eyes. Perhaps it’s her infectious enthusiasm which stimulates, challenges and motivates you to levels you didn’t know you had. It could be the rich techniques she shares to create effects which gift so many more new possibilities. Or it could be the fantastic food, great craic and perfect accommodation. We don’t know. So, we’re coming back to find out. And we can’t wait.”
Elizabeth & Stephen T
Terms and Conditions
Prices
All prices quoted are in GB Pounds. Prices do not include the cost of any transfers or journey costs; however, local transportation to and from nearby painting locations is included in the price of the retreat. Prices do not include any activities for non-painting partners. All attendees are required to pay for their evening meals and drinks, to include the close-of-retreat dinner.
Booking and Payment
The 50% deposit required for all retreats is non-refundable and is payable at the point of booking. Upon receipt of this payment, bookings will be confirmed by email.
Payment in full of the remaining balance is due from all attendees one month before the start of the selected retreat. At this time, if this balance has not already been received from an attendee, a payment reminder email will be sent. In all cases, further details of the event and travel advice will be provided by email at this time.
Late Bookings
Applications to attend a retreat within 1 month of its start date must be paid in full at the time of booking.
Cancellations
It is regretted that deposits cannot be refunded. If, however, due to any unforeseen circumstance a retreat has to be cancelled by Julia, then deposits will be refunded in full.
Disclaimer
Please note that Julia Christie Residential Art Retreats cannot take responsibility for
personal injury, the loss or damage to personal property or to any vehicles. It is therefore recommended that all attendees obtain travel insurance to cover any such exigencies.