Need a winter escape that warms you from the inside out?
Give yourself the exquisite gift of time, space, and soulful renewal. Step away from the noise and stresses of everyday life and into a sanctuary of color, connection, and creativity.
You’re invited to a transformational art retreat designed to nourish your soul, where your spirit can breathe and your hands can play.
Is your soul calling for rest, reflection, and radiant reconnection?
Come home to yourself. Join us at The Casa.
Led by two dynamic Expressive Arts Therapists and seasoned Creative Workshop Facilitators, this retreat at the serene Franciscan Renewal Center (The Casa) in beautiful Scottsdale, AZ is your invitation to remember who you are when you are allowed to be you, without the to do lists and endless errands.
Welcome to our creative journey—a joyful invitation to play, explore, and awaken your inner artist. Guided by Cathy and Kat, you’ll discover fresh approaches to art journaling through inspiring demonstrations and thoughtfully curated materials.
Located beneath the wide skies of Scottsdale, Arizona, the Franciscan Renewal Center—affectionately called The Casa—is a welcoming space for rest, reflection, and renewal. Open to all, it offers a peaceful environment where every courtyard, path, and alcove encourages stillness and restoration.
Set in the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, The Casa invites you to slow down, enjoy art and nature, and reconnect with what matters most. Whether seeking solitude, creative inspiration, or spiritual growth, you’ll find more than a retreat—you’ll find a place that feels like home.
Surrounded by a circle of like-hearted women, you’ll find yourself embraced by a community that celebrates your story, your wisdom, your evolution.
Walk the labyrinth. Sit quietly in the healing garden.
Take a nap. Take a walk. Take a breath.
You don’t have to make a single decision, write a single list, or cook a single meal. Just show up in the studio and relax.
This time is yours, entirely.
Here, art is not about perfection—it's about presence.
Through mixed media explorations, soulful journaling, intuitive doodling, and more, you’ll be gently guided to reconnect with your creative essence. Each activity is an open door to self-expression, healing, and joy—no experience required.
Together, we’ll create personal sanctuaries for your cherished memories, intuitive doodles, spontaneous scribbles, and layered collages. No prior bookbinding experience is needed; we’ll gently guide you through each step, allowing you to move at your own rhythm.
Once your pages begin to take shape, we’ll invite you to wander freely, exploring your own creative voice amidst an abundance of luscious art materials—each mark, tear, and brushstroke becoming part of your unfolding story.
Beyond creating your beautiful handmade art journal, your retreat experience will open into a variety of inspiring adventures. You’ll be gently guided to explore your inner world using rich, tactile art materials in a playful, supportive atmosphere.
Come join us. We look forward to seeing you here.
This retreat is now full with a waitlist.
What’s included:
Your single or shared room
4 Breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners in the dining room
Coffee, tea, snacks throughout the day
A goody bag carefully curated just for you
Instruction from two seasoned art retreat facilitators
Some supplies and materials
CE Credits if desired
What’s not included:
Some supplies and materials (a list will be sent to you upon registration)
Your transportation to and from the Casa
Gratuities and tips for the staff
Items you wish to purchase
***Your investment in your creative well being:
Private room: $1875.00 (10 available)
Shared room: $1655.00 (3 available)
Commuter: $1195.00
Your $500.00 non-refundable deposit will secure your place for this retreat. Please let me know whether you want a private or shared room. Your balance is due on or before January 21st, and you will be sent reminders. Future payments can be paid via PayPal or Stripe with an added fee of 3%. There are no fees if paying by check or Zelle.
If paying by check, please make it out to Kat Kirby and send it to:
Kat Kirby, 845 Washington St, Apt. 308, Newtonville, MA 02460
If paying by Zelle, send it to Kat at kat4clay@gmail.com
If you would like to pay it all by check, please email Kat at kat4clay to let her know. Thank you!
We’d like to get to know you before we meet. Once you register, please click this link and complete your profile for this retreat. Thank you!
Your Retreat Leaders!
Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, is a warm and compassionate leader in the field of expressive arts therapy, with a gentle focus on healing through creativity. For more than 30 years, she has supported children, teens, adults, and families navigating the impact of trauma—offering non-verbal, sensory-based ways to find expression and relief beyond words.
As the founder and director of the Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, Cathy has shared her knowledge with over 35,000 practitioners worldwide through engaging, accessible trainings—both online and in person. Her work is grounded in the belief that creativity is a powerful and natural path toward healing, and she brings that wisdom into every class she leads.
Kat Kirby
Newtonville, MA
I grew up in New Jersey, surrounded by a family that believed in the power of art and music. From an early age, I learned that creativity and self-expression aren’t just hobbies—they're essential ingredients for a joyful, meaningful life.
As a retired Board Certified, Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC), I spent over 40 years helping others find healing and meaning through the arts. I now offer workshops and retreats both in my new hometown of Newtonville, MA, and at beautiful places around the country.
When I teach, whether it be virtual or in person, my two rules are:
1) You can’t be wrong, and
2) Have fun!.
Cancellations and Refunds:
If you need to cancel your registration for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible by sending an email to Kat.
If you can fill your spot, have that person pay you directly and let us know their contact information. If you are unable to fill your space, we will not be able to issue you a refund.
If the retreat must be cancelled for reasons outside of our control, you will receive a refund, minus your deposit.
If we must cancel, which we have never done, you will receive a full refund.
We highly recommend getting trip insurance. Kat uses Allianz: https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/