WHAT IS WAYWARD?

Wayward is a creative retreat for artists of marginalized genders working in all media and disciplines, with an intentional focus on indulgent exploration of creative process and what it means to be an artist working in community. Free from cell phones and internet access, artists at Wayward have the quiet time and space they need to dig deep into their art, experiment, and hone their craft. We collaboratively create an experience with our participants with the goal of nurturing the inner artist and the creative community, with an eye to how both of those engage with the wider world. Now, a decade into the Wayward project, our community continues to grow and support this ethos beyond the island.

WHO IS WAYWARD FOR?

The Wayward retreat is open to all artists in all disciplines who:

1. are actively pursuing their creative calling with focused intention

2. are women (cis or trans), genderqueer/non-binary, genderfluid, transmasc, or another marginalized gender

3. are over the age of 21

Wayward is a retreat for artists who are curious about their own work and themselves. We are excited about artists who want to investigate their own inner voice, themselves, and their role in creative, natural, and social ecosystems.

Artists of all disciplines come to Wayward: writers, sculptors, musicians, dancers, painters, fiber artists, filmmakers, game designers and beyond. What they all have in common is that Wayward retreaters treat their art seriously and thoughtfully. They are interested in deepening their relationship to their work and their creative process. 

Wayward was conceived as a space for gender marginalized creators (cis women, and trans and non-binary people) who work as artists in all media and disciplines. We believe that curiosity about our place in the gender binary is an act of revolutionary love for ourselves and our bodies, and welcome people who have experienced any aspect of that journey. 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.

If you are wondering about your eligibility for Wayward, please contact us.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE RETREAT?

A typical day at Wayward might begin with morning movement classes, which are optional. Retreaters gather around 9:30am for a casual breakfast, before heading off for open work time, which often includes writing in the cozy living room, collaborating with other artists on the porch, or taking a walk to the bay to search for art-making materials or recording soundscapes. 

Lunch is served around 1pm, and the afternoon usually includes more open work time with occasional, optional scheduled events, such as a craft workshop or field trip. Time is also set aside for a collaborative group project, optional creative coaching sessions and other programming. While we encourage everyone to arrive at Wayward with something to work on, retreaters often find themselves indulging in more unexpected modes of creative exploration, chasing their curiosity, and experimenting with new ideas.

A community dinner is served around 7pm, where retreaters gather to share the day’s adventures and insights. There is social programming after dinner, which can include activities like swimming in the lake under the stars, steaming in the sauna, sharing artistic challenges during a group check-in, relaxing in a crystal bowl sound bath, as well as other surprise events co-created with retreaters.

WHEN IS IT + WHAT IS THE COST?

The 2025 Wayward Retreat will be September 28 — October 5.

The retreat is $1800 (US dollars), which is due in three installments between acceptance and the start of the retreat. This covers lodging; three home-cooked meals a day (plus other treats!); participation in all workshops, activities, and creative counseling; transportation from Vancouver to Quadra Island and back; 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.

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.

THE 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."