Women in the Woods Retreat
Xstine Cook and Chrystene Ells
Dates: Thursday, August 21 – Monday, August 25, 2025, midday
Join artists Xstine Cook and Chrystene Ells during the weekend of the harvest new moon for five days of slowing down and connecting with nature and your inner wilderness through mythic archetypes, mask making with natural materials and therapeutic art practices.
Women in the Woods is an intimate retreat for a small number of participants, held at a private retreat centre 25 minutes southwest of Saskatoon on a beautiful trailed 30 acre property forested with poplar and willow. The South Saskatchewan River is an easy 500 metre walk from the retreat centre.
Everyone is welcome. No art or mask making experience is required.
For more information and to apply visit Women in the Woods.
Cost information
The fee of $1450 CAD per person covers all activities, mask making supplies, a sketchbook/journal, art supplies for specific experiments, vegetarian/vegan food (four suppers, five lunches, four breakfasts, drinks and snacks), and basic accommodations for four nights.
Two private rooms are available for an additional fee (see Accommodations section below).
Introductory Offer -Special Discount: $1175 CAD when full payment is received by July 5, 2025.
Early Bird Discount: $1325 CAD when full payment is received by July 21, 2025
Full Fee: $1450 CAD to be received by July 31, 2025
Who we are
Xstine and Chrystene (both pronounced ‘Christine’) have been friends and collaborators since 1985 when they were part of the same Calgary-based touring theatre company. They both spent significant time in their 20’s in northern California (doing different things but regularly connecting), and have collaborated on various theatre, film, animation, and visual arts projects. This retreat is a celebration of 40 years of friendship, creative partnership, and the sharing of love, loss, joy and grief along the way.
