WHAT IS WAYWARD?

Wayward is a creative retreat for artists of marginalized genders working in all media and disciplines. Retreaters spend the week on beautiful, remote Quadra Island in British Columbia. Free from cell phones and internet, the artists at Wayward have the quiet time and space they need to dig deep into their art, experiment, explore, and hone their craft.

In addition to solo work time, Wayward creates space for collaboration and adventure. Retreaters create an interconnected group piece over the course of the week. Optional workshops and excursions into the wild are offered for those who need a break from their work. Morning movement class helps retreaters wake to the day in a gentle way. Daily meals are prepared by the hosts and retreaters together, often with greens from the house’s garden, oysters from the nearby beach, or other local ingredients. Together, the group builds an environment and community where all retreaters are inspired to make new and exciting work.

WHO IS WAYWARD FOR?

Wayward is a creative retreat for all trans and non-binary people, cis women, and folks of other marginalized genders, who work as artists in all media and disciplines. Our retreat has welcomed queer, transfemme, transmasc, and nonbinary retreaters in all cohorts and as part of our leadership for years. Creating a safe, positive space for a range of human experiences takes active work that we engage in eagerly.

Artists of all disciplines have come to Wayward: writers, sculptors, musicians, dancers, painters, fiber artists, filmmakers, game designers and beyond. Wayward retreaters take their art seriously. They are interested in deepening their relationship to their work and finding new and exciting modes of creation.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE RETREAT?

So many things! Over the course of 6 days together, retreaters spend their time working on their own creative projects, collaborating in group workshops, relaxing in the evening; preparing meals together, and partaking in the many optional activities available throughout the week: creative counseling; swimming in the pristine lake and river; canoeing; hiking; foraging for wild berries, mushrooms and shellfish, gathering veggies and greens from the garden; waking up to daily movement classes; steaming in the handmade sauna; participating in guided creative meditations; and experiencing the unique Quadra Island culture.

WHEN IS IT + WHAT IS THE COST?

The 2024 Wayward Retreat will be June 18-25.

The retreat is $1800 (US dollars). This covers lodging, three home-cooked meals a day, participation in all workshop activities and creative counseling, transportation from Vancouver to Quadra Island and back, multiple on-site covid tests, and your very own special Wayward retreat kit. The retreat arranges travel for all retreaters from Vancouver to Quadra Island. The retreat cost does not cover airfare from wherever you live to Vancouver, meals before and after Quadra Island, or the covid test we require before you arrive.

IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?

Wayward offers two opportunities to offset the retreat costs.

ROOM SHARE DISCOUNT

We offer discounts to the four participants who share a bedroom during their stay. (These retreaters still get their own beds.) Sharing a room reduces your fee by $150 USD. If you are interested in the room share discount, please indicate so on your application when prompted.

INCLUSION SCHOLARSHIP

Each year, Wayward offers multiple scholarships in varying denominations to artists of color. The fund was created to strengthen the Wayward community and expand the breadth of artists on the island. If you are an artist of color and interested in the scholarship, please indicate so on your application when prompted and we will reach out with more information.

ABOUT QUADRA ISLAND

The largest of the Discovery Islands in Canada, Quadra Island sits off the eastern coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It’s about 22 miles north to south and home to about 2700 people.

Our house sits on the forested southern end of Village Bay Lakes on northern Quadra. It’s completely secluded, but only a 20 minute drive into town. The lakes and related watershed are ecologically and geologically exceptional, home to over 72 bird species and 234 plant species, and the return site for thousands of salmon every fall from the ocean. Osprey, eagles, herons, kingfishers, ducks and otters are regular sights on the lakes. 

WORDS FROM PAST RETREATERS

“Wayward was more than I could have anticipated. I thought I would go, make work, enjoy community, make friends, and come back. And I did all of those things, but more deeply, and more brilliantly that I could have known. I also touched on places within myself that I had not seen in years, remembering who I am and who I want to be.”

This retreat was such a unique and powerful experience for me. Never before in my creative life have I ever been so completely isolated and at the same time so fully surrounded and supported by fellow artists. This was such an open and welcoming environment – so filled with creativity and joy – that coming back home and readjusting to my ‘normal’ life was almost a hardship. I’m counting down the weeks until the next retreat, where I’m sure the magic will be rekindled in a new and exciting way, and where isolation and companionship and creativity somehow come hand in hand.” 

“The Quadra Island retreat was galvanizing and therapeutic in equal measures, with pacing that rewarded both solo creativity and socializing. During the day, I could strike out on my own into the lush woods, pull the rowboat out on the lake for a contemplative float, or strip down and take a refreshing swim without fear or worry. I had personal space and time to write, think, chill with music, or interact with nature on my own terms. In the evenings, being surrounded by other creatives–many in different fields than mine–allowed me to hear how others tackled their own challenges, or thought of their own practice. Months later, I still find myself considering how the other participants would tackle an obstacle currently in my way.”  

“It turns out that having a space to make stuff that you can just enjoy (instead of worrying how it integrates with your personal brand or what the price point will be) is incredibly critical. Honestly, making things simply for the joy of it is something that can get lost in your (highly rewarding and personally satisfying) art career. The retreat ended up being an amazing time, an incredibly nurturing physical and emotional space.”  

"I came into this retreat with very high expectations ... And these expectations were absolutely surpassed. I feel like the first 24 hours was pretty much me walking around with my mouth agape, pointing at things, holding up things, and looking at other participants with their mouths equally agape."

"I definitely feel that the retreat will have a positive impact on my career. Seeing and hearing about other creatives' work and perspectives, and being surrounded by nature for a week offered so much inspiration for my work. The retreat also encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and push myself ..."

"[The] care and passion shone through every aspect of Wayward, and this is an experience I'm going to look back on for the rest of my life."