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THROUGH ISLAND EYES

THROUGH ISLAND EYES

Regular price £1,340.00
Sale price £1,340.00 Regular price
Explore Drawing on the Sacred Isle of Iona

Led by Iona artist Mhairi Killin with mindfulness teacher, Kerstin Felleiter

11 April - 15 April 2025

4 nights, 3 days workshop on Iona

Through Island Eyes invites you to to play with drawing and mark making as a way to mindfully immerse yourself in the inner and outer landscapes of Iona. Mornings will be spent together in a workshop setting exploring the retreat’s theme, with afternoons free for you to work alone or with others developing the morning’s thinking, or simply spending some time just to be with the island.

In the evenings we will share food and conversation, reflecting on the day with an optional after dinner activity. Just six places are available on this really special retreat. You will be well looked after at the beautiful Argyll Hotel, with a three course dinner and breakfast included the price.

Through Island Eyes is a fluid retreat, designed to support those who wish to deepen or re-engage with their drawing practice in the specific environment of Iona, using more experimental approaches to drawing, whilst also offering an encouraging space for anyone wanting to explore mark making and drawing in its widest sense for the first time. 


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Iona Creative Retreats

ARRIVING IN IONA

Travel to Iona arriving in time for a pre dinner welcome with Mhairi, and your fellow workshop companions on Friday 11th April. Introductions and relaxing conversations over a delicious dinner to follow. The hotel is just a few minutes walk from the pier, and you are welcome to arrive early on Iona, drop your bags at the hotel and enjoy some quiet time to yourself. Travel advice will be included with your booking confirmation and don’t hesitate to email Mhairi at info@aosdanaiona.com if you have any questions.

Iona Creative Retreats

YOUR THREE DAYS ON IONA

Each day will follow the same rhythm, beginning with a beautiful reflective session with island mindfulness teacher, Kerstin Felleiter. These sessions are totally optional, and will be held wherever feels most fitting for the day - it might be at St. Oran’s chapel, on one of Iona’s beaches, or at the hotel.


In the mornings we will work together in a studio environment in Iona’s new village hall, or weather permitting outside. Practical workshops led by Mhairi will reflect the island’s visual and cultural story, and each one will be introduced by a brief presentation. All materials will be provided, but if you have favourite drawing tools and papers, or a project you have already started, please bring these with you.


Lunches are not included in the retreat but we have plenty of recommendations for you. Afternoons are your time to spend in any way you like; to follow up on the morning’s workshop with further suggestions and guidance form Mhairi, head out walking and drawing, or perhaps take a trip to Staffa. Mhairi can help you arrange excursions, advise on walks and share local stories to help you connect with the island’s past and present. In the evenings there will be time to share food, talk, and reflect on the day, with an optional after dinner activity.


This retreat explores drawing in its widest sense, using experimental approaches to connect you to your inner landscape whilst being immersed in the outer landscape of Iona. Using mindfulness will help you to relax into a place of ease and flow, and encourage engagement with your creative spirit from a place of acceptance and non judgement. Through Island Eyes is not about learning ‘how to’ draw but about settling into ‘what is’ your own creative self.

LEAVING IONA

Enjoy a fabulous hotel breakfast to set you up for your journey home on Tuesday 15th April. Mhairi will be at the pier to wave you off, in true island tradition!

ADDITIONAL INFO

Due to the logistics, people and places involved the full price is required at the time of booking.

Please read the Terms and Conditions which include our Cancellation Policy before booking. By acknowledging these conditions at the time of booking, you agree to and are bound by them.

You will receive confirmation of your booking within 48 hours. Soon after we will send you a PDF with useful information about the workshop, your journey and the island.

You should plan to be on Iona by the last ferry on Friday evening and leave after your breakfast on Tuesday morning, unless you have made independent plans either side of the workshop.

Please come prepared to walk, and let us know if this is problematic.

You will be staying at the beautiful Argyll Hotel in the village street. A three course dinner and breakfast are included in the price. Lunches and drinks are at your own expense. Please advise us of any food allergies and dietary requirements.

All materials are included in the price, but if you have favourite materials, drawing tools or a current project that you’d like to work on, do please bring them with you.

Itineraries are prospective, often weather dependent, and could be subject to change.

Don’t hesitate to email us at info@aosdanaiona.com with any queries.