The Alchemy of Ink

6-Day Immersive Artist Retreat

August 22–29, 2027
The Nest on Swan River | Flathead Valley, Montana

Returning to Montana for our third Alchemy of Ink retreat, join artists Elizabeth Schowachert and Gabriela Sanchez for an immersive week of art-making, experimentation, and exploration in Montana’s beautiful Flathead Valley.

The Alchemy of Ink centers on the relationship between the tool, the gesture, the material, and the mark. Over six days, we’ll explore ink, handmade brushes, paper, encaustic monotype, and experimental processes while allowing plenty of time to develop ideas and explore your own artistic direction.

Guided instruction is balanced with independent exploration, individual conversations about your work and process, time outdoors, and the experience of working alongside a small group of fellow artists.

Previous experience with ink, Sumi-e, or encaustic monotype is not required.

Retreat Schedule

ARRIVAL — Sunday, August 22
Arrive and settle into your accommodation at The Nest on Swan River.

RETREAT — Monday, August 23 through Saturday, August 28
Six days of instruction, studio exploration, independent working time, group activities, and scheduled excursions.

DEPARTURE — Sunday, August 29

What We’ll Explore

EXPRESSIVE INK + MARK-MAKING
India ink, water-based media, paper, and traditional and unconventional tools.

HANDMADE BRUSH MAKING
Create brushes using natural and found materials and explore how the construction of the tool influences the mark.

GESTURE + BRUSHWORK
Movement, pressure, speed, angle, rhythm, and controlled randomness.

LARGE-FORMAT SUMI-E BRUSHES
Work with large-format Sumi-e style brushes handmade by Elizabeth.

PAPER + CALLIGRAPHIC APPROACHES
Explore paper, ink, brushwork, and calligraphic approaches with Gabriela.

ENCAUSTIC MONOTYPE
Explore line, surface, layering, and spontaneous mark-making through encaustic monotype.

MEDITATIVE BRUSHWORK
Explore Zen-influenced approaches to painting, gesture, movement, and mark.

INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION
Time to develop your own ideas, work independently, and have individual conversations about your artwork and process.

MONTANA LANDSCAPE + STUDIO VISIT
Draw inspiration from Montana’s Flathead Valley and visit Elizabeth’s studio to explore her tools, materials, artwork, and working process.

Accommodations + Retreat Pricing

Retreat prices range from $3,250–$4,050 USD and include the six-day retreat program, seven nights lodging, meals as specified, instruction, workshop materials as specified, and scheduled retreat activities.

The accommodations at The Nest vary significantly in privacy, room configuration, bathroom arrangement, size, location, and amenities. Please read the individual descriptions carefully before selecting your room.

A $600  USD non-refundable deposit reserves both your place in the retreat and your specific accommodation.

**International Currency Note: All retreat prices are listed and charged in U.S. dollars (USD). For reference, the $600 USD deposit is approximately MXN $10,800 based on the exchange rate as of October 7, 2026. Actual amounts in Mexican pesos or other currencies will vary based on the exchange rate and any conversion fees applied at the time of payment.**

THE RUSTIC INN

5 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms | Central Retreat Gathering Space

The approximately 4,200-square-foot Rustic Inn is the center of the retreat. All retreat meals are held in the banquet area, making this a good choice for participants who enjoy being close to the activity.

The Inn also includes a TV/lounge room and additional shared gathering spaces. Three bedrooms have private bathrooms, while two bedrooms share a hallway bathroom.

Upstairs Queen Room + Private En-Suite Bath
$3,850 USD
Private upstairs bedroom with queen bed and private bathroom.

Main-Level Queen Room + Private En-Suite Bath
$3,750 USD
Private main-level bedroom with queen bed and private bathroom.

Queen Room + Private En-Suite Bath + Clawfoot Tub
$3,650 USD
Private queen bedroom and private bathroom with clawfoot tub.

Queen Room A + Shared Bath
$3,250 USD
Private queen bedroom. Bathroom shared with one other Inn bedroom.

Queen Room B + Shared Bath
$3,250 USD
Private queen bedroom. Bathroom shared with one other Inn bedroom.

RIVERFRONT CABIN 1

3 Participants | 2 Bedrooms | Shared Bathroom | Full Kitchen | Riverfront

This riverside cabin accommodates three retreat participants.

One bedroom is private with a queen bed. The second bedroom is shared and includes a queen bed and twin bunk beds. All three participants share the bathroom.

The vintage full-size kitchen includes a gas stove and oven, microwave, toaster, refrigerator, dishes, and cookware. The cabin also has generous lounging space, a dining table for six or more, and decks overlooking the river.

Private Queen Bedroom + Shared Bath
$3,850  USD

Queen Bed in Shared Bedroom
$3,350 USD

Lower Twin Bunk in Shared Bedroom
$3,250 USD

RIVERFRONT CABIN 2

2 Participants | Shared Open Room | Shared Bathroom | Kitchenette | Riverfront

A smaller riverfront cabin shared by two participants. The queen bed and full-size futon are located within the same open sleeping and living space.

The cabin includes a kitchenette with a microwave, two-burner hot plate, toaster oven, apartment-size refrigerator, dishes, and cookware, along with a comfortable sitting area.

Queen Bed in Shared Cabin
$3,450 USD

Full-Size Futon in Shared Cabin
$3,350 USD

RIVERFRONT CABIN 6

3 Participants | 2 Bedrooms | Shared Bathroom | Full Kitchen | Riverfront

A cozy two-bedroom cabin along the Swan River in a quieter location approximately six minutes by car from downtown Bigfork.

One bedroom contains two double beds and is shared by two participants. The second bedroom has a private queen bed. All three participants share the bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, and sitting area.

Double Bed A in Shared Bedroom
$3,350 USD

Double Bed B in Shared Bedroom
$3,350 USD

Private Queen Bedroom + Shared Bath
$3,850  USD

THE BUNGALOW

Private Accommodation | Private Bathroom | Private Sitting Area | Riverfront

The Bungalow offers the most private accommodation option at the retreat.

This tranquil riverfront space includes a queen bed, private bathroom with clawfoot tub, private sitting area, Wi-Fi, Roku TV, and a kitchenette with microwave, two-burner hot plate, toaster oven, full-size refrigerator, dishes, and cookware.

Private Bungalow
$4,050 USD

COZY STUDIO

Private Accommodation | Private En-Suite Bath | Kitchenette | Mountain Views

The Cozy Studio is located above the property’s two-car garage, just a short walk across the street from the main retreat campus.

It offers a quieter setting with mountain views and includes an apartment-size refrigerator, double-burner cooktop, microwave, Keurig coffee maker, and toaster oven.

Please note: Access requires climbing a flight of stairs.

Private Cozy Studio + En-Suite Bath
$3,650 USD

Choosing Your Accommodation

The easiest way to compare the options is to consider how much privacy you prefer and whether you are comfortable sharing a bedroom or bathroom.

The Rustic Inn puts you closest to the center of retreat activity. The riverfront cabins provide more separation from the main gathering space, while the Bungalow and Cozy Studio provide the greatest degree of privacy.

Your $600 non-refundable deposit reserves the specific room or sleeping space you select.

Retreat Includes

6 days of workshop instruction and studio exploration
7 nights lodging
Individual discussions about your artwork and process
Workshop materials and supplies as specified
Retreat meals as specified in the final itinerary
Scheduled local excursions and retreat activities
Studio visit with Elizabeth

Not Included

Airfare and travel expenses to Montana
Transportation outside scheduled retreat activities
Additional nights lodging
Personal expenses
Travel and cancellation insurance

Airport Transportation
Transportation to and from Glacier Park International Airport is not included but can be arranged for an additional cost.

Pay in Full and Save $200 USD

Pay your retreat balance in full by January 15, 2027, and receive a $200 USD discount on your total retreat price.

The $200 USD discount applies to participants who have paid their complete retreat balance by January 15, 2027.

Secure Your Spot

$600 USD Deposit

A $600 USD non-refundable deposit reserves your place in the retreat and the specific accommodation you select. The deposit is applied toward your total retreat price and is not an additional fee.

The remaining balance is based on the total price of your selected accommodation and is due by May 24, 2027. For example, if you reserve an accommodation priced at $3,750 USD, your $600 deposit will be applied to that amount, leaving a remaining balance of $3,150 USD.

Each accommodation and its total retreat price are clearly listed above.

International Currency Note: All retreat prices are listed and charged in U.S. dollars (USD). For reference, the $600 USD deposit is approximately MXN $10,800 based on the exchange rate as of October 7, 2026. Actual amounts in Mexican pesos or other currencies will vary based on the exchange rate and any conversion fees applied at the time of payment.

Refund + Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be made in writing by email.

The $600 USD deposit is non-refundable. Deposits are used to secure commitments with our local lodging, catering, transportation, and retreat partners and are assigned upon receipt.

Final balances are due May 24, 2027.

More Than 60 Days Before the Retreat

50% of payments made will be refunded, minus the $600 USD non-refundable deposit.

30–60 Days Before the Retreat

25% of payments made will be refunded, minus the $600 USD non-refundable deposit.

Less Than 30 Days Before the Retreat

No refunds will be issued.

There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy.

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance covering airfare and other travel expenses, medical emergencies, and retreat cancellation due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances.

Questions?

Please reach out to Elizabeth Schowachert or Gabriela Sanchez with questions about the retreat, accommodations, or workshop experience. We’re happy to help.

Gabriela's  & Elizabeth's Contact Information