Creation and Contemplation: Nurturing Creativity in Community at Gilchrist Retreat Center, April 17-19, 2026
This weekend retreat invites artists of all kinds to explore creativity as a spiritual practice rooted in beginner’s mind and curiosity.
Open to participants ages 16 and up who identify as being on the spectrum of the feminine spirit, inclusive of trans and non-binary participants of all genders.
No previous artistic experience necessary. Instruments are welcome, but optional. There will be artistic tools on-site for people to use or experiment with if desired.
Through a mix of solo reflection, small group connection, and full group experiences, participants will engage with ice breakers, flow-state activities, writing prompts, and art & music appreciation.
Designed to nurture our craft and our connection, this retreat offers a brave space for intuitive exploration, authentic expression, nature connection and creative play.
Location
This retreat will take place at The Windhill Gathering House at Gilchrist Retreat Center in Three Rivers, MI. This space is designed for accessibility and includes a community area with a kitchen, a library, and a meditation loft. There will also be optional outdoor segments, and solo segments to the retreat.
This 67 acre interfaith retreat center is a beloved "thin space", and we're honored to offer this retreat here. While the name is based in the Christian tradition, GilChrist welcomes people of all faiths and affiliations.
"Gilchrist creates the conditions that nourish relationships — with self, others, the natural world, and your sense of the sacred. We hold space for the interplay of inner and outer work that moves society toward shared flourishing."
Registration, Lodging & Meals
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TICKETS: Purchase a ticket at our website. Note: If you belong to a marginalized community and you need financial assistance, consider applying for the GilChrist Retreat Equity Fund. If awarded, this fund reimburses up to $600.00 per person for retreat related expenses (e.g., housing, registration, mileage, and lost wages or childcare from attending the event.)
- REGISTRATION: Please fill out this simple form to register.
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LODGING: Request Gilchrist accommodations here. Lodging is limited to 10 folks. *You can participate in the program without staying onsite. Lodging is $75/night per person + program fee. Cabin Check In: Between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. on 4/17 at a time you communicate via reservation. *Late cabin check-in's are possible with facilitator assistance. Cabin Check-Out: 2:00 p.m. on 4/19.
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MEALS: There will be a potluck on Friday evening, and a leftovers potluck for Sunday lunch. A dinner will be provided on Saturday. Facilitators will provide light snacks throughout the weekend. Individuals are otherwise responsible for their own meals. Each guest space, and Windhill are equipped with a complete kitchen. See GilChrist FAQ for more information about the facility.
RETREAT SCHEDULE
Friday, April 17th
1-4 pm Cabins Check-In *Late check-in's are possible with facilitator assistance.
4-6 pm Rolling check-In at WindHill: settle into your cabin, check out the WindHill library, walk the Labrynth, visit the Chapel, .
6:30 pm Potluck Supper at WindHill
8:00 pm Group Guidelines + Intentions. Icebreakers. Orientation.
8:30 pm Group Activity: Flow State Activity, Conversation Prompts w/ Question Packs.
Saturday, April 18th
7:00 am Sunrise walk with Sam (optional)
Breakfast on your own, at your own pace
9:00 am: Settle in, make tea and coffee, check out the library, get comfy
9:45 am First workshop Writing Prompt / Solo Time Small Group share
11:45 am Lunch break
12:30 pm Clean Up
1:00 pm: Solo Time: Take a nap, read a book, journal, make art, walk the Labrynth, visit the Stone Chapel.
2-3:30 pm Second Workshop
4-5:30 pm Un-conference Block: Choose between small activities led separately by facilitators or participants, or solo time. Ex: Music appreciation, mindful walk, Sit Spot - listen and look, friendship bracelets, read aloud from library books, Circle of Writers.
6 pm Soup, Sourdough and Song: We’ll sing some simple call and response songs together, and enjoy a facilitator provided meal.
7 pm Clean up
7:30 pm Outdoor Reflection Time
8:00 pm Open Mic: share a creation, story, or song you love! We will co-create a brave, vulnerable space with a supportive audience.
9:30 pm Campfire (optional)
Sunday, April 19th
7 am Sunrise walk with Sam (optional)
Breakfast on your own, at your own pace
10 am Tea Time, Gratitude Circle, Closing Circle Share
12 pm Leftovers Lunch Potluck
About the Facilitators
Elisabeth Pixley-Fink and Samantha Cooper have been performing and facilitating workshops together for over fifteen years. They have a minimalist folk close harmony project called Hearth & Hymn, and have released two albums together, in addition to their solo music. They also helped found Solidarity Songs, a community choir that uplifts the songs emerging within progressive movements for liberation.
Elisabeth Pixley-Fink is a singer-songwriter, performer and recording artist. She is a licensed clinical social worker and practices therapy in Ann Arbor, and uses expressive arts, mindfulness, somatic awareness, and emotion-focused therapy. She led a Montessori elementary classroom for six years and directed creative empowerment programs at My Voice Music in Portland, Oregon. She has also worked with Gift of Music and Youth Arts Alliance in Michigan. She brings a healing-centered, empowerment-oriented approach to her artistic, community building and facilitation work. Her latest album, Heartskin, weaves together indie folk and garage rock and explores a heart shedding its skin.
Samantha Cooper is a songwriter, supporting musician and MiCAN climate justice organizer who has co-founded community initiatives including Solidarity Songs, The Great Lakes Water Protector Network, Great Lakes Creatives and Square Dance Kalamazoo. She guides multi-disciplinary expressive arts retreats with Youth Arts Alliance, The Gift Of Music and Earthwork Music. She has led dozens of five-day healing-centered, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed songwriting retreats for incarcerated youth. Sam is passionate about co-creating more inclusive, safer communities via her work as a Care Team consultant and a conflict worker.