Hacienda Mosaico, Puerta Vallarta, Mexico

Conscious Creativity Retreat with Laurel True

February 26 - March 4, 2023

This retreat is now full. Please email for information on future sessions.

Reset, Recharge and Renew this winter with a special Conscious Creativity Retreat.

Ready to bring more joy and meaning to your creative work?

Do you want to ignite or re-ignite your creative practice?

Does exploring the creative process with a supportive group of creative seekers sound fun?

This unique 5-day workshop will energize your creative practice in new, meaningful ways that are aligned with who you are, on your own unique path.

Join me and a wonderful group of creative explorers for an immersive experience at the inspiring, tropical paradise that is Hacienda Mosaico, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Conscious Creativity Retreat will focus on creative exploration, connectivity, and finding your flow.

We’ll explore topics such as learning to pause and be present with our creative practice, mindfulness, igniting inspiration, exploring the extended mind and somatic creativity, activating enjoyment, creative play, and more.

I’m so excited to be offering this workshop again this winter!

Inspired by my Conscious Creativity series courses, offered throughout the past two years, I’m happy to announce this in-person, hands-on, Creativity Retreat for the second year in a row.

The workshop combines creative exploration, discussion about the creative process, and creative prompts that will help you tap into your wellspring of creative energy.

We’ll have the opportunity to explore group movement sessions, time for contemplation and pause, and some inspiring group activities. Hacienda Mosaico offers a wonderful container for all this, plus great food, beautiful art, lush flora, and a sparkling pool.

We‘re going for a good balance of Being and Doing in this workshop.

What to expect:

Five days of creative time, including…

Inspirational discussion topics around creativity and creative practice. We’ll begin each morning with our morning circle, where I’ll be offering a topic for discussion, including a range of inspirational support materials and resources for further investigation.

Personal project: We’ll launch into the week with a creative prompt to inspire a personal project that can be created using a range or combination of materials. Project focus: Mandala-inspired piece using mosaic, mixed-media, collage, and/or natural elements

Daily creative prompts: I’ll be offering daily creative prompts for those who want to work on multiple, smaller projects. Experimentation and play will be encouraged!

My aim is to create an open, generative experience for participants with lots of options and freedom to choose what they are called to explore in the moment. At the same time, I’ll be there to support participants with technical instruction, guidance and suggestions.

Note: I’ll provide a variety of mosaic and collage materials, and surfaces to work on in a variety of sizes. We will also have access to paint and general art supplies. Participants are encouraged to bring any special or specific materials they want to experiment with.

Gentle Movement: Gentle movement sessions with a yoga instructor 2 mornings during the week (optional.)

Relaxation and chillaxation time for pause and integration. There are many beautiful nooks and crannies at Hacienda Mosaico to sit and think, or write, or have a quiet chat. Official workshop activities will end in late afternoon, leaving plenty of daylight for free time. Hacienda Mosaico is located in a lively residential neighborhood - great for exploration.

Amazing food and atmosphere. Hacienda Mosaico is a hidden urban oasis, full of lush flora, beautiful art, mosaic murals and installations (many created by my students and me!) and good vibes. Breakfast and lunch (provided on workshop days) are positively spa-like… Super healthy, delicious and satisfying. Honor bar available anytime. For dinners, there are a huge range of wonderful restaurants within walking distance and in the “Romantic District” of PV, a short and inexpensive taxi ride away. Workshop participants often choose to have dinner together and we will organize at least one (no host) group dinner during the workshop.* For those who like to stay in, there are lots of carry out restaurants and taco stands. There is also a kitchen on site for workshop participant use.

Optional evening activities: The studio will be open in the evenings if you want to work on your own or with others. We’ll leave room for fun and exploratory activities, gatherings and outings. See list below.*

Wonderful people. Need I say more? Our hosts Sam and Xeno and the incredible staff at Hacienda Mosaico help make the experience unforgettably special. Every workshop I have offered at HM has drawn amazing people, all unique. Introverts, extroverts, ambiverts alike enjoy these experiences. Friendships are forged, laughter is shared, dopamine is flowing.

Arrival day with welcome happy hour is Sunday the 26th. Departure day is Saturday the 4th.
Workshop is Monday – Friday.

Please note: Registration links below take you directly to Pal Pal. After you make a payment, I will send you a personal confirmation email.

If you would like to use Zelle, Venmo or another form of payment, just shoot me an email.

Learn more about Hacienda Mosaico.

Daily workshop timing is roughly 9 am — 4 pm

*Sample Extra-Curricular Activities

Mexican tile store
Mexican blown glass store
Art-Walk in gallery district
Walk along the boardwalk
Guided tour of the amazing Tile Mosaic Plaza
See the city-wide outdoor gallery of street art the PV is becoming famous for
Have a cocktail on the beach
Visit the Saturday farmer’s market on your way out
Sample the many amazing restaurants in PV

Retreat cost:

Workshop fee: $2,195 (based on double occupancy.)*

You can pay in full or make a 50% deposit to secure your spot. Second 50% is due by January 15, 2023.

Workshop fee includes: 5 days instruction, 6 nights of lodging, breakfast and lunch served poolside by Hacienda Mosaico’s personal chefs, Jorge and Anna, and unlimited access to the beautiful open-air, covered studio.

Note: Workshop fee does not include flight, taxi to/from airport or dinners.

Students are invited to a welcome reception on Sunday evening, November 7th.
There will be lots of free time to explore Puerto Vallarta, shop or relax.
Students depart Saturday, March 4th.

* There are no single rooms available onsite at HM for this retreat. There is one room with a king sized bed for a couple/ 2 people who want to sleep together.

If you require a singe there are off-site options (such as ABB) in the neighborhood that you can arrange yourself. When searching look for Versalles neighborhood.

Cancellation Policy

Hacienda Mosaico and True Mosaics Studio Cancellation Policy for 2023
A 50% deposit is due to secure a space in the workshop.
Remaining 50% is due 45 days before the workshop starts.

Deposit/fees paid are refundable (minus $50 admin fee) up to 30 days before workshop.

Less than 30 days out from the workshop start date, fees paid are non-refundable UNLESS there is a government travel ban and the workshop does not run. In this case you will receive a refund.

FAQ:

Q: When would I need to decide by?
A: Depends on if the workshop fills quickly. As soon as you feel comfortable with committing to travel. I expect this to fill pretty quickly based on the interest so far.

Q: What is Hacienda Mosaico like?
A: It's awesome! One of my absolute favorite places to teach. Lush, tropical atmosphere, plenty of personal space, mosaics and art everywhere, easy access to everything. Not on the beach… It's an urban oasis (with a gorgeous pool)!

Q: Will I need to bring anything?
A: Yes, I will send out a tools and materials list ahead of time. There are lots of materials on site so it’s not necessary to bring materials, but a couple of basic tools - yes (which would have to go in a checked bag).

Q: Is is necessary for participants to have taken one of your Conscious Creativity courses before?
A: Nope! Come with a buddy who you think would dig it… Spread the word.

What people are saying about Conscious Creativity:

I wanted to take a moment to thank you personally for your enjoyable classes. They offered much more than I was expecting…. I experienced something more than I thought any class could provide. I liked how you gave us something to stash away in our heads for reflection and application every week… At the end of the day, you've taught me how to use the outside to reach inside and find that creative channel.

Actually, you showed me there are many channels to tap into; just pick the one that talks to you today…that was like a huge light bulb over my head by the time we were done. So much growth over the past 8 weeks!

I also appreciated the mixed bag of artists who were in the class; it widened my perspective. I figured out I need to try other art forms; it will make me better at mosaics. All the members of the cohort were witty and wise; it was a pleasure to be in their company…So finally, thank you for your very memorable class. — Janet R, Lousiana

I was honored to be part of this wonderful group of women... who were extremely supportive of me and of each other. Led by Laurel we created a space of artistic potential that I have never before experienced. It turned out that the cohesiveness of the group and all of the group sharing were extremely helpful in allowing me to find my own budding creative process. — Jennifer Neff, MD, San Diego

This class has been such a balm for my soul and a real healing experience and lovely escape during these trying times.

It's been a game changer learning how to recognize my patterns of resistance around creativity and deal with them in different ways thanks to your tools and tips. I've loved all the assignments and have been regularly inspired by your energy and generous and kind spirit. I've also been inspired by the work, comments and contributions of others in our cohort. Such a great class! — Tracy C, Berkeley

Conscious Creativity was a fantastic opportunity for creative exploration and outlet that exceeded my expectations and opened me up to some many new ideas and possibilities. It really helped jump start my creativity at a time when I felt like I had hit the wall...It really helped me think about who I am as an artist, why I do what I do, and how I can do it--deeper and better. — Karen R, Toledo, OH

Laurel’s Bio

I believe that creative expression and well-being are inextricably linked.

As a lifelong artist I have experienced firsthand the joys and lessons that come from cultivating a regular creative practice. It is my belief that our creative practice is essential for the health of our body/mind/spirit. And it's essential that our practice not only be aligned with who we are today, but that it is flexible and evolving... growing and changing with us as we become more conscious of the connectivity, support and alignment our practice offers.

I designed the Conscious Creativity course as a lens through which to explore our conceptions, beliefs, visions and desires around creative expression, and specifically though our own creative practice.