Do you suspect that you’d be better off if you were being creative, but can’t seem to get around to it?
Maybe your creative voice has been whispering, waiting for a little space and attention.
This retreat is an invitation to give yourself that space to explore, experiment, and create simply for the joy of it.
You don’t need to be an “artist” to come. All experience levels are welcome. If you’re a woman who’s curious, open, and ready to explore your inner world through art, you belong here.
Imagine embarking on a creative journey with a group of inspiring, like-minded women. From the very first day, there’s a feeling of trust, openness, and belonging; the kind that makes it easy to show up fully and be yourself.
Picture yourself in Oaxaca, wandering vibrant markets, tasting bold, unforgettable flavors, and soaking in the color, texture, and rhythm of everyday life.
Oaxaca is a living, breathing culture that invites you to slow down, pay attention, and truly experience it.
Now imagine letting all of that filter into your art…the connections you’re forming, the beauty around you, the energy of the city…and allowing it to shape what you create in ways you never could have planned.
This retreat is a chance to reconnect with yourself in a deep, nourishing way.
Through creativity, shared experiences, and a supportive circle of women, you’ll feel grounded, encouraged, and deeply held.
The Phenomenal Women Art Retreat is a celebration of connection — to culture, to creativity, to each other, and ultimately, to yourself.
Each day on retreat starts at your pace.
We filter into the dining room at the Casa at different times for a delicious home-cooked breakfast. Then at 10am we gather for a morning session centered around a “word of the day.” Together we explore its meaning — both in art and in life — and talk about what to notice as we move through the day.
Then we head out into town, wandering streets and markets, tasting the flavors, and taking in rhythms and traditions, all while staying curious about how the word of the day shows up around us.
Later, we return to the casa to rest, reflect, and translate those experiences into art
Art has a remarkable way of helping us process and make sense of what we experience. We can be moved simply by viewing it, and even more transformed by creating it ourselves.
On this retreat, art becomes a way to notice, remember, and respond to the world around you. You’ll build confidence on this retreat, and begin to see the world through a creative lens.
This is about more than just making art.
It’s about connecting with yourself, other like-minded women, and the world around you. You’ll have the chance to slow down, tap into your intuition, and express yourself freely in a supportive, inspiring environment.
Through a mix of solo exploration, group collaboration, and plenty of studio time, you’ll leave with not only new skills but also a renewed sense of self-expression and joy.
Does this sound familiar?
You feel something inside you that needs to be expressed, but when it comes to getting it down on paper or canvas, you find yourself stuck.
Maybe you follow other artists' work to guide your own paintings, but struggle to come up with your own unique compositions.
You’re creative, and maybe even artistic, but your creative pursuits often take a back seat to the demands of everyday life.
You long for deep, transformative experiences.
You crave the freedom, time, and space to recharge and nurture your creativity.
And perhaps you’re seeking adventure; the opportunity to connect with like-minded, creative women.
Now, imagine how you’d feel after six incredible days spent in the company of other creative women, sharing not only transformative experiences but also the collective wisdom of the group.
We’ll gather together to create art, enjoy delicious meals, and honor ourselves and each other—phenomenal women, every single one of us.
Together, we are so much more than the sum of our parts. In community, we learn, we grow, and we inspire one another.
What’s New for 2026
All Meals Included
This year, every meal is included in your registration!
Breakfasts and some dinners will be at our beautiful casa
Lunches and some dinners will be at fabulous restaurants around Oaxaca
And yes… we’ll continue our tradition of Sunday brunch at the incredible Catedral de Oaxaca!
Delicious food, no counting out pesos at the end of each lunch, and more time for conversation and connection.
Optional Retreat Extension
You’ll also have the option to add three extra days to the end of your retreat. This is perfect for anyone who wants to:
Dive deeper into their art
Have one-on-one art sessions with instructors
Establish (or expand) a creative practice
Visit places they didn’t get to during the week
Enjoy some spacious downtime before heading back home
If you’ve ever wished retreats were just a little longer… this is for you.
About Oaxaca (pronounced wuh-HAWK-uh)
Oaxaca City is truly a feast for the senses. The colors, the flavors, the music, the textures—it’s a place that inspires and delights at every turn. If you're seeking a creative infusion, this is absolutely the place to find it.
With vibrant markets, cobblestone streets, incredible food, and buildings with amazing vibrant colors, Oaxaca sparks creativity everywhere you look. It’s an amazing arts city, filled with museums, galleries, murals, artisan workshops, and centuries of cultural tradition.
Oaxaca is also one of the most culturally rich and diverse regions in Mexico, with deep Indigenous roots that are still very much alive today. The state is home to many Indigenous communities, including the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples, whose influence can be seen throughout the city in the art, textiles, food, language, festivals, and everyday life.
Just outside the city lies Monte Albán, the ancient Zapotec capital founded more than 2,000 years ago. Oaxaca City and Monte Albán were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 because of their extraordinary cultural and historical significance.
And let’s not forget the stunning churches and cathedrals scattered throughout the city, each one a masterpiece in its own right. From grand colonial architecture to quiet neighborhood chapels, Oaxaca carries its history beautifully while remaining vibrant, creative, and alive in the present moment.
Workshops and
Art-Making
One of the most wonderful things about making art is how it brings us fully into the present moment. It encourages us to observe the world around us with our "artist's eye."
When you look at something with the intention of expressing it through art, you begin to see it differently. Shapes start to emerge, colors take on new meaning as you think about how you’d paint them, and all the while, compositions are forming in your mind.
On this retreat Tabetha will encourage you to view Oaxaca through your creative, artistic eye (yes, you have one!) You’ll gather inspiration from the colors of buildings, the texture of the fabrics, the patterns on the rugs, the flavors and aromas of the food… and so much more!
All of that inspiration will be poured into your art. You’ll paint boldly and expressively, and you’ll love it.
Art Making Experiences Included:
Expressive art workshops led by Tabetha Landt.
Mixed media workshop with Xan Thomas
Personal one-on-one coaching with Tabetha.
Cheerleading and support from Tabetha and the other phenomenal women!
Open studio time for you to drop in and explore and create on your own.
Studio art supplies: paper, brushes, acrylic paints, charcoal, pencils, other mark-making tools.*
*All studio art supplies are included, however you may bring other art supplies—particularly acrylic paints and brushes if you have some favorites you'd like to use.
You may also wish to bring a small (5x7ish) sketchpad and pencils to sketch while we are out and about.
In addition to workshops and designated studio time, you’ll also have opportunities to immerse yourself in the surroundings by sketching the various sites while we’re out and about.
Sketching is not only a powerful way to tap into your creativity, but it also allows you to become truly focused in the moment, capturing and recording that moment in time and space to be fully present, and you can revisit the memory another time.
On the last afternoon of our retreat, we turn our studio into a gallery, and have a gallery walk and artist talk! Each woman chooses a few pieces of art that she created on the retreat to show and discuss.
If you’ve never done this before, don’t worry!! I walk you through the process by asking questions, and telling you and the group what I love and appreciate about your artwork. This is a positive, fun experience!
Worried about creating art on this retreat?
Play the short video below to hear what Nancy had to say on the topic, and to see some examples of the type of expressive art that we create.
I learned that I may actually be able to call myself an artist...what I produced on the canvas and with the paint surprised me!
Frances C. 2024 retreat
"It's really important to push past your comfort zone and take a chance on yourself... and use art to think about the world around you...
and how that canmake your corner
of the world a better space."
Laura M., three time Phenomenal Women retreat participant.
One of the best parts of every retreat is the amazing sense of community, and the bonds that are formed in the week that we spend together.
In this video Sohn talks about her experience of connection and community on the 2025 retreat.
Where We’ll Stay and How We’ll Eat
Your taxi will drop you off outside of the lovely aqua colored wall with the lavender door of Casa Colonial.
Behind those aqua walls lie the gorgeous gardens and grounds that will be our home base for the week. Lush plants, flowers and the sound of birds will sooth you as you’re shown to your super comfy room.
The casa is filled with lovely Mexican pottery and art, and there is even a little koi pond!
You will fall in love with the grounds at the Casa! The gardens are stunning and feature water lilies, koi fish, birds, and of course beautiful flowers.
There are tables and chairs outside, so you can enjoy your morning coffee, journaling, art making, or just sitting and taking in the gardens.
And there is a resident dog, Reggie! (Short for “regalo” the Spanish word for “gift”.)
You can choose to share a room with a friend who’s attending, or have have your own private room.
Each lovely room has it’s own bathroom, a covered veranda with tables and chairs outside, and the rooms surround beautiful gardens. There is also filtered water in each room, and a water cooler is available to refill the bottles, should you run out.
All meals are included. We’ll have breakfasts and some dinners at the Casa, and we’ll go out for lunches and the rest of the dinners to fabulous restaurants
Breakfasts are prepared at the in-house cafe, and consist of a full breakfast with American and Mexican fare. Order eggs any way you'd like, or enjoy the breakfast specialty of the day.
Freshly squeezed orange juice, an array of tropical fruits, toast, oatmeal, granola, and yogurt are available every day. And, delicious Oaxacan coffee is served in the beautiful dining room, with views of front and back gardens.
Dinners at the Casa are wonderful! The chef prepares special cenas for us - family-style dinners - on many of the evenings. Family style dinners at the Casa consist of salad, soup, a Mexican specialty, and dessert!
The chef specializes in Oaxaca home-style cooking in all of its savory (but not too spicy) variety, including Oaxaca's famous moles. Yum!!
They serve hydroponic greens and organic food, and are happy to accommodate vegetarians or other special diets.
There is plenty on the itinerary, but there will also be unstructured free time to make art, explore on your own, or just lounge on the lovely grounds at the casa.
The Zocalo is just a quick walk away, and features restaurants, museums, galleries, and more! Taxis are easily available and affordable ($3-$5) if you prefer not to walk.
Pricing, Policies, and What’s Included
Prices
$2995 shared room
$3345 single room
Still not sure if this is for you? Got questions?
Payment Schedule
$500 non-refundable deposit is due upon registration, secures your spot and is applied towards your balance.
50% of your balance is due by March 4, 2026
Remaining balance is due by June 4, 2026
You may make smaller payments leading up to due dates.
CANCELATION POLICY
Any cancelation will result in a loss of your $500 deposit,
Any cancelation made between March 5, 2026 and June 4, 2026 will result in a loss of 50% of the trip price.
On or after June 5, 2026 your registration fee is non-refundable. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum (if we do so you’ll receive a full refund.)
COVID POLICY
Your safety is the most important part of this journey. To keep everyone healthy:
Travel insurance with COVID-19 and “cancel for any reason” coverage is strongly recommended.
Masks must be worn when appropriate or required.
What's Included in the registration fee:
6 nights lodging at the beautiful Casa Colonial
All meals: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners, and Sunday brunch
Entry fees to any scheduled museums, attractions, and workshops.
Workshops with Tabetha on using the elements of art to help you see with your artist’s eye and create more expressive paintings.
Mixed media workshop with Xan Thomas.
Day trip to Teotitlan Del Valle with our amazing tour guide, Nicolas
Open studio time for you to drop in and and create on your own.
Studio art supplies: paper, brushes, acrylic paints, charcoal, pencils, other mark-making tools.
Zoom calls leading up to the retreat, and a closing Zoom call after the retreat.
Free, unstructured time to relax.
Cheerleading and support of the other phenomenal women!
Not included in registration fee:
Airfare
Travel to and from airport
Taxis around town
Casa and guide tips
Alcoholic beverages
Travel
You’ll need a current passport that is valid for at least six months from your date of entry to Mexico.
You will fly into the Oaxaca de Juarex, Oaxaca airport, the airport code is: OAX.*
Oaxaca has direct flights from the USA from Houston, Dallas and LAX. Otherwise, you will likely change planes in Mexico City from your city of origin.
From the Oaxaca airport you’ll take a taxi to Casa Colonial. Detailed instructions and the address will be provided in your welcome email. Taxi fare is about $10 USD per person and there is just one taxi counter inside the airport. Easy-peasy!
*Please don’t book a flight until you get the okay from Tabetha that the retreat has met it’s minimum!
A note about Oaxaca:
Oaxaca is a charming, bustling little city! We’ll take cabs and tour vans to a lot of the places we’ll visit, but there is a fair amount of walking, and stairs to climb (elevators are not a thing there.) The streets are often cobblestone, and the sidewalks and stairs can be uneven. Traffic can whiz by, and although we’ll stay in a little wonderful oasis behind walls, Oaxaca is a noisy city! Parades, fireworks, wedding celebrations, and traffic can all be heard where we’re staying. As can birds, and gekkos, and sometimes a rooster or a barking dog. And perhaps you’ll have a little gekko visit your room; don’t worry, they won’t bother you (except to chirp from time to time.)
This retreat is a deep dive into finding your creative voice, not a beach vacation (actually there is no beach close by.) This is about art, sisterhood, exploring the world through art in a fabulous, loud, old, bumpy, colorful, vibrant city.
If you have any questions about this retreat, and whether it’s for you, please get on Tabetha’s schedule for a free Zoom consultation.
A Bit of Love from Phenomenal Women
