Welcome to the Aster Retreat! Our first upcoming event is:
Saturday August 13th 2022. At Walnut woods Lodge
3155 Walnut Woods Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Day of Schedule :
12:45 – Check in
1:00 – 2:00 pm Art Workshops Flower Crown making OR Learn Polymer clay
2:00 – 3:00 pm Yoga with Dara Madigan OR Sound bath meditation with Melodie of Greatful Wellness
3:00 – 4:00 pm Finish working on your art projects, Market is open to shop, Snack.
4:00 – 5:00 pm Ending circle meditation with local guest author Kara Simons.
This event is for anyone who identifies as a woman, non binary, gender fluid, two spirit, transgender, cisgender.
General Admission – $162 *tickets on sale now!
*a select number of full scholarships are available for anyone who finds admissions to be a hardship. These are prioritized to BIPOC, LGBTQ2IA+, and disabled beings. Apply for Scholarship here.
If you own a business and want to be a sponsor our event or aid in the scholarship fund please scroll down for contact info.
ADMISSION INCLUDES:
Choice of craft lead by local artists: Learn to work with polymer clay with Jessica Gulseth OR Flower making with Aundrea Eilers of Wren & Willow.
Choice of yoga class lead by Dara Madigan OR a facilitated sound by meditation by Melodie Polansky
Ending day circle and meditation lead by local guest author Kara Simons
Snacks Provided: Oatmeal cream pies by Thistle’s Summit. Snacks, drinks (water, la croix, tea) will be provided. No alcohol is permitted. (Thank you!)
What to bring:
Comfortable clothing for yoga if you choose to participate. Dress for the weather. This will be in the summer time and we will be outdoors so dress accordingly.
Sunscreen, bug spray
Pillow to sit on or a yoga mat/towel
Bring a quilt or blanket to sit on for Sound Bath
Snacks! You can bring some of your own if you wish or to share. (snacks will be provided but feel free to bing your own too. )
Contact Information:
Email: karavorwaldphotography@gmail.com
Interested in being a sponsor? Please contact for information on how to donate to the scholarship fund.
Instagram @aster_retreat
FAQ:
Who is behind this, a little about me, and a little about the retreat.
I am an artist. When covid hit in 2020 I was already experiencing what we all call “burn out” Not only as a business owner and artist but as a mom. I hit a wall and felt like all I was running on was fumes. Like so many things that have been revealed to ourselves during this time, we see what needs our attention and what we had just putting a bandaid on and hoping would not gush.
The Aster Retreat has been something I’ve had on my mind for years. Probably ever since 2014 after I had my daughter. How wonderful would it be for just a day, maybe a weekend to just relax. To have things taken care of for you, to recharge and do things of actual self care. A time for you to take care of just yourself.
That’s why I am so excited for this mini one day event this year. A way to help recharge our batteries a bit, You don’t have to think about feeding your self or families. We will take care of catering and nourish you. Getting out in nature. Relaxing, stretching our mind and bodies. Working on an art/craft project. “Everyone is an artist” – Joseph Beuys
-Some day I would love for this to evolve into more. A whole weekend camping, crafts, self care, or a whole day scheduled to learning basket weaving from local artisans. Maybe a mix of both kinds of events.
