Oyama Art Retreat - June 2024

Dates: June 2-7, 2024

OYAMA ART RETREAT is a fun and unique way to add more creativity to your life! Do you want to spend a few days by a lake painting some landscapes? Did you want to try different painting mediums? Do you want to just relax and have fun while doing something creative? We've got you covered! Whether you are an experienced artist or a complete beginner, you'll feel right at home=)

The retreat will take place in a gorgeous mountain lake setting of the charmingly rustic Oyama Lake Eco Lodge. We'll spend most of our mornings and afternoons making art either inside or outside. We'll explore acrylic, watercolor, oil and ink painting, natural materials collage, as well as playing in your sketchbooks. On top of that, you'll have a yoga class, a guided paddiling excursion (optional), an outdoor popcorn & movie night, a sunset cruise and a farewell bonfire with a build-your-own marshmallow buffet to look forward to! And if you want to do some exploring on your own, you'll be able to take one of the lodge's canoes, kayaks or paddleboards for a spin in your free time (before 8 am or between 6-8 pm).

Level of instruction will be targeted to the level of the participants. Whether you are a seasoned artist looking to expand on your knowledge or a complete beginner, you'll be right at home, challenged just the right amount and guaranteed to walk away with some new found friends, some new found art skills, lots of painting studies and sketches, a few finished paintings, a deepened understanding of the natural world that surrounds us and a lifetime of memories. All art sessions will be lead by Yulia Tsinko with the exception of Wednesday night, which will be lead by a magical bear artist and the Oyama Eco Lodge owner Nickie Burditt.

All art supplies are included, but if you want to bring a special sketchbook to fill with memories please feel free to do so (if not, I'll have some available for you=). Also, if you want to know how to use the art supplies that you already have, please feel free to bring them along as well.

Accommodation and meals are not included but snacks, soft drinks and unlimited brewed coffee will be available during the workshop. Please reserve your accommodations HERE or contact the lodge directly:

Phone: 250-862-1013

Email: Info@Oyamalake.com

*Just for this workshop, if your cabin doesn't have a fridge, you'll have a bag of ice/day. If you are flying in, please let us know and we can also find a cooler for you.

Our tentative plan (weather-dependent):

Sunday, June 2

6 pm - Meet and Greet over some snacks and bevies

Monday, June 3

9 am - noon - Intro + walking tour

noon-1pm - lunch break

1-4 pm - Our first art session!

*Evening - Free time or a guided kayak/canoe/paddle board excursion to Streak lake. (Optional)

Tuesday, June 4

9 am - noon - Art session

noon-1pm - lunch break

1-4 pm - Art session

*Evening - Sunset Cruise (the actual day of the cruise will depend on the weather)

Wednesday, June 5

9 am - noon - Art session

noon-1pm - lunch break

1-4 pm - Art workshop with Nickie Burditt

*Evening - Free time or an outdoor pop-corn and movie night (Optional)

Thursday, June 6

9 am - 11 am - mini hike + a mini workshop on taking pictures for painting

11 am - noon - Yoga session

noon-1pm - lunch break

1-4 pm - Art session

4-6 pm - break

Evening - Farewell bonfire with a marshmallow bar

Friday, June 7

9 am - 10:30 am - Last get together and art review

Checkout and trip back home.

* Evening activities are weather-dependent and their order may vary.

About the artists:

Yulia Tsinko is a Canadian visual artist and art instructor based in Calgary, AB. Prior to embarking on her art journey, she had a love affair with natural sciences and holds a degree in Ecology from University of Calgary. Yulia works in inks, acrylics, watercolors, and oils and has received her art training from University of Calgary, AUArts, Emily Carr Institute and has studied with several prominent North American artists, including Steve Huston, Henri Yan and Juan Martinez. In her art practice, Yulia strives to combine her knowledge of the natural world and its processes with her curiosity in depicting its beauty. She loves working from life, as no photograph ever compares to the colors and emotions evoked by natural light. Her work can be described as expressive realism. You can find more information about her on her website: www.yuliatsinko.com.

Nickie Burditt is a Canadian-born artist who lives in Lake Country, British Colombia. She received her BFA from the Alberta University of the Arts in 2014. She primarily works with acrylic paints on wood panel, but she also has an affinity for water-based oils and any other magical materials. By day she runs the Oyama Lake Eco lodge (www.oyamalake.com), and by night she paints and is excited to offer art retreats at the lodge.