By Kristine Hansen | Photos courtesy of the respective property unless noted
To see the forest for the trees and find your creative muse, sometimes you have to literally go into the woods. Being away from a routine and responsibilities helps open up the heart and mind to creativity, whether that’s learning a new skill or expanding on what you already know about an artistic discipline.
Fortunately, Wisconsin offers several guided multi-day retreats in rural, gorgeous settings where a small group of people gets together and dives into their creative pursuits. Paired with the intention of setting aside time and blocking out distractions, these are ideal gifts to yourself and might mark the beginning of new friendships, too. Just be sure to sign up in advance, as these opportunities tend to book up fast.
Wild Rice Retreat, Bayfield
Celebrated for its Scandinavian-style cabins (referred to as RicePod, Nest and TreeHaus), designed by David Salmela, design lovers have enjoyed hunkering down here for inspiration since the property opened in 2021. Wall-size windows invite nature inside — courtesy of the surrounding 100 wooded acres — no matter what time of year. Visitors can book a retreat here or simply stay on property. Both include accommodations and meals, along with instructor- led teachings and access to wellness and movement classes hosted daily.
Try this retreat: The Art of Looking: Architectural Photography Retreat (July 19-23, 2026).
Red Clover Ranch, Soldiers Grove
From yoga to writing, as well as artistic disciplines like photography, painting and fiber arts, this 79-acre ranch cultivates that sweet spot between wellness and productivity by borrowing inspiration from its surroundings. Guests bunk in cabins on site, can access hiking trails from the property, and can participate in time-honored lawn games like croquet and bocce ball. While each retreat varies, they all include meals, as well as yoga or meditation classes. A former milkhouse is now a gift shop selling locally made art and artisan goods.
Try this retreat: The Land Is Our Teacher, a Plein Air Painting Retreat with Leslie Baum (July 30-Aug. 2, 2026 and Aug. 6-9, 2026).
Christine Center, Willard
During the 1980s, a Wisconsin nun created this 155-acre retreat space and it’s been thriving ever since, hosting yoga, drum making, meditation and intuitive painting retreats. Visitors also nosh on homemade vegetarian meals, folding in culinary ingredients sourced from nearby farms. Guests stay in cabins or, for a more modern stay, guest rooms attached to the retreat center and dining hall. Year- round, there’s an option to sign up for a self-guided solo retreat during which you can utilize the Hildegard Soul-Studio for creative art and ritual, which includes full studio access and materials to make drums, or draw and paint.
Try this retreat: Sacred Sound, Sacred Silence: A Weekend of Kirtan and Meditation (June 26-28, 2026).
Taliesin Preservation, Spring Green
The late architect Frank Lloyd Wright used this 800-acre homestead as his laboratory for design, trying out new concepts that weren’t necessarily tied to a client project. This tradition continues through a series of weekend workshops on topics like plein- air painting, photography, printmaking and cooking — with participants receiving the best tour ticket of all: staying on site, where dozens of architectural fellows and students studied under Wright, and making use of its drafting studio for classes.
Try this retreat: Designing with Nature Workshop with Art & Sons, a Madison design collaborative (Sept. 18-20, 2026).
Sievers School of Fiber Arts, Washington Island
In addition to hosting a retail shop that sells yarn, needles and other tools for knitting and crocheting, this remote destination at the far northern tip of Door County — on Washington Island — also hosts knitting, crocheting, weaving, fiber spinning, quilting, batik, paper/book arts and basketry workshops. Since 1979, these workshops have been taught here, with some participants bunking in dormitory-style accommodations.
Try this retreat: Lace knitting (Sept. 14-17, 2026).
Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, Mineral Point
There are few artistic disciplines not taught through workshops at this retreat center, which was established in 2004. Options include jewelry making, basketry, furniture making, weaving, felting, hand-stitching, Sashiko drafting, embroidery, mosaics, making art out of gourds, rug hooking, creative writing and mixed-media art. There are a few multi-day retreats offered throughout the year, as well as half-day and day- long workshops for a shorter time commitment. While participants are free to come just for the workshops, lodging on site (in either the Sardeson building downtown or the coach house on campus) brings you even closer to the arts- oriented community.
Try this retreat: Rug Hooking Retreat: Creative Stitches (Sept. 25-27, 2026).
