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13 - 21 September, 2025
9 days/8 nights
Day 1- arrival day - Welcome dinner
Day 9 - departure day - no program
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6 Days with Art Program + free time
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optional full-day tour to mainland UNESCO sites or relax
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AIRPORT IS ATHENS
Discover this legendery home to artists and writers throughout the C.20th
For many artists a stay on Hydra, the enchanting, some say magical, Aegean island, was a significant part of how their art was created.
We’re choosing to be there, for that reason… the richness of the artistic legacy… and for the chance that such exceptional surroundings will be your muse, too.
On Hydra, writers, painters, songsters, musicians and dreamers of all types, found a place that inspired them. From its shores, looking out to the Aegean or inward to their artistic dreams, poetry, novels, avant-garde texts, masterpieces in paint and word, emerged. Be there, with us, and find your own threads of inspiration.
The Background
Our second season Art retreats on Hydra.
Anna lived on Hydra for two wonderful years, and during some of that time worked as an arts instructor.
Esté and Anna have been presenting Art Retreats in Sri Lanka (2022), Bali (2022,'23, '24) and Morocco (2024, '25), and now we are thrilled be able to bring two lifetimes of experience to this fabulous week on Hydra - at a beautiful time of the year.
It's the end of summer, the locals are relaxed, you've arrived onto one of Greece's most picturesque islands - one with no vehicular traffic - only donkeys, water taxis and meandering footpaths - and you have ahead of you a week of making art with Esté MacLeod.
With the water still deliciously comfortable for swimming, cool evenings exploring the many charming seaside tavernas, and spacios accommodation in a quietly central part of the port which you can reach without climbing all those steps for which hydra is (in)famous, you'll need to be quick to secure your place on this special week with only 12 places available - staying in your very own room in accommodation hand-picked by Anna and chosen for ease of access, views, delicious breakfasts and a pretty courtyard and terrace for making art >>
We can't wait to share the magic of Hydra with you!
Many thanks for a magnificent experience!
Glenda W. Melbourne Australia,
Florabunda with Este MacLeod 2022
This 9-day/8-night retreat offers you a delicious week to focus on making art with the guidance and inspiration of internationally renowned artist Esté MacLeod.
With 30-hours of tuition (5 hrs art time per day for 6 days, in various settings) sharing Esté's techniques and processes for images inspired by your surroundings you will be mainly using a variety of enhanced print techniques, which can be layered into deceptively complex imagery and designs.
You will take home a collection of works on quality paper, providing not only souvenirs of a memorable late summer holiday on this unique island, but as a compendium of techniques which you'll be able to elaborate on in your own studio work.
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Use artist-quality GOLDEN materials - Esté is a Golden Artist educator; we will be using the same materials and products she uses in her professional practice. (You just need to bring a sketchbook).
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Welcome and farewell dinners at iconic tavernas
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Enjoy a taverna lunch at a swimming location
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Boating is included on our exploring days to bays on Hydra and the mainland of Ermioni
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Your accommodation and breakfast for 8 nights
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Boat trip to Ermioni on Peloponnese for a day of painting off the rocks besides pristine clear waters, perfect for jumping into refresh before lunch.
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A OPTIONAL FULL DAY TOUR (with all boat and coach transport included), as well as entrances to 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites is possible for a cost of approx. Euro 140.Price will vary with the number of participants.
WHO WILL THIS RETREAT SUIT?
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Coming to this course with an open mind and a preparedness to get the most out of the detailed instruction, even as a complete beginner, you'll find your way into making surprisingly sophisticated artworks.
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If you have some prior art-making experience at any level, then this retreat will add to your repertoire of print processes and techniques that can evolve from them.
A relaxing week where all you need do is turn up each day after breakfast (and perhaps an early-morning dip? ... the water is still very inviting at the end of summer).
Esté and I warmly invite you to join our group in 2025 for this exceptional art experience by the sea on the legendary Greek island of Hydra.
MEET ESTE MACLEOD
Esté MacLeod is an acclaimed British artist and designer whose way of teaching will show you ways to turn the things you notice into expressive, sophisticated artworks on paper using new dynamic painting and mixed media techniques.
Her way of teaching will spark your imagination, get you in a creative flow and show ways to broaden your art practice as anyone who's experienced Este's popular on-line courses will know.
Read More...
Esté is a free-spirited artist with a background in textile design. She has been teaching on-line art courses since 2015, focusing on processes and concepts to make individuals' creativity blossom. These courses have gained an incredible following, as Este combines carefully-selected materials and techniques and shows different methods to be used for continued exploration.
"When I teach, I keep guidelines tight and simplify processes, the knowledge gained enables the flourishing of new ideas when applied to individual art practices."
Este is a professional artist and designer. In addition to her paintings sold in galleries in the UK and internationally, her work is used in a variety of products ranging from wallpapers and textiles, homeware, ceramics, puzzles, stationary and book illustrations.
Born in South Africa, Esté has been living in the UK since 1999.
Her educational background includes: HND Textile Design, Fine Art Printmaking, BA Hons Ceramics and Glass, MA in Contemporary Jewellery Design.
Creative Living Retreats by Anna Kwiecinska
With a background as an art historian and art gallery owner, my collaboration with artists continues to be a fascinating career which evolved into specialist art retreats designed to combine seriously good art tuition with authentic cultural experiences.
Over the last 13 years, hundreds of people have experienced the depth of wellbeing that being creative can foster.
Creative Living Retreats are a source of focus for creative inspiration, with our intuitive teachers guiding you to Live Creatively.
Over a decade, many retreatants have returned for our thoughtfully curated weeks of supported creativity, and I genuinely look forward to welcoming you to experience the depth of wellbeing that Creative Living Retreats have become known for, More info
Loved the whole thing. Food was amazing and plenty of variety. Staff amazing ... I just thought you did the retreat so well. I felt totally satisfied with the way you made it all happen and made us all feel very special. You really were the glue. Very professional.
The exhibition was just so beautifully put together.
Lyn Mowday, Busselton, Australia, 2019
How does the retreat work?
The working part of our program will happen mainly in the lovely spacious bougainvillea-trellised courtyard of our hotel where you'll also be able to order drinks.
Some mornings we may walk to a location for on-the-spot inspiration, and we also have an 'away day' (involving a short boat ride), t a mainland location where you'll be able to enjoy your art -making right by the sea, with easy access to glorious swimming, delicious cuisine, pine tree walks and another village to explore.
In all, the retreat comprises 30 hours of class time with Este MacLeod.
After art concludes, you're free to lunch, take a siesta, walk to one of the many beautiful swimming spots, and on some days we have organised water taxi trips to such locations followed by dusk suppers.
Other activities available on the island include horse trail treks, suitable even for novices.
Where does the retreat take place ?
The retreat hub offers accommodation, breakfast and relaxed and private places for the art both outside beneath a 200-year old olive tree in high-walled courtyard, and inside beneath a high-beamed ceiling (should very occasional rain happen).
Although Hydra is a very vertical island, with steeps scaling steep hills populated with the iconic, picturesque stone houses, our retreat hub is just a few minutes' walk from the port, on flat ground, with no steps required to approach it. The hotel has ground, first and second floors (no lift), with a dedicated buffet breakfast bar, sea view terrace access for all.
