Creatives like me need a place to recharge our batteries, to get new inspiration, and to fire up our creativity. I was so lucky to be a part of the recent 2019 Creative Arts Retreat in San Miguel De Allende, led by photographer Karen Sachar. She collaborated with artist and friend Mariana Barran Goodall, owner of Hibiscus Linens and The Amparo Hotel in San Miguel.

Karen's vision for the retreat was to share consecutive days of creative opportunities, refreshing relaxation, inspiration, and soulful awakenings - a chance to rekindle a part of ourselves that maybe we haven’t seen for a while, and to discover new parts of who we are now. Karen believes that quieting your mind, and perhaps your phone, may just bring you messages of the heart.

If we want to grow, expand, transition, and pay homage to all that life has brought us, we need to create space and time to do so. Sometimes in life a nice deep breath is needed to let go of what was and embrace what is and what can be. Our partnership with our heart and soul empowers and encourages us to manifest our hopes, dreams, and wishes. Expressing that through our photos was part of the creative journey, so those photos we all came home with were the highlights of the trip.

Karen could not have picked a better place to have this retreat. We explored the beautiful city of San Miguel with its cobblestone streets, Spanish Colonial architecture, and creative cuisine. Some examples of our activities included sunrise walks through the cobblestone streets with photography opportunities, morning meditation, yoga, guided tours of the architecture of San Miguel, and an embroidery class with Mariana.

We learned photography skills to create with beautiful natural light, and how to edit and print photos of our photojournalistic journey. We refined our shopping skills at Fabrica la Aurora, which used to be a textile factory and today houses canvases, sculptures, and artisan products of great artists who live in San Miguel. And we mastered the art of selecting local market vegetables and fruits at the Mercado de Artesanías.

The Hotel Amparo was fabulous.  The gracious hospitality of the staff at this stunning boutique hotel was impeccable. It was such a unique and exciting opportunity to have an entire boutique hotel all to ourselves…. what a treat!! 

This was such an enjoyable journey and I became friends with some amazing women. The five days we spent in San Miguel was everything I anticipated and what I learned about myself on this journey was invaluable. Look for Karen’s next retreat on Instagram (@karensachar or @karensacharandco) and if you have the opportunity you must go!

Warmly,

Beth