Join us in our beautiful home, Batlis House, Skiathos, Greece for one of our lovingly designed wellness and art retreats.
OUR RETREATS
Me, Myself and I
1 week retreat beginning JUNE 14th & June 21st 2024
Rici Allison, Dr Stephen Allison, Kate Hannah Swart
Welcome to the launch of our art and wellness retreats in Skiathos, and have we got something truly magical planned for you.
Renowned South African mixed media artist Rici Allison will be joining us for 2 inspired weeks hosting a Greek mythology inspired art workshop. While co hosts Dr Stephen and Kate will be sharing their love of Skiathos, as well as health, food, and nutrition (as much or as little as you desire) and all with lots of laughter, and relaxation. And of course you will have new friendships and art to take with you to ensure it truly is a memory that will last a lifetime.
A Mediterranean inspired breakfast and lunch will be served daily and at leisure, where you can come and go between painting and picking at fruits and enjoying glass of wine in the garden. Kate is very excited to show you some of her favourite spots on Skiathos and help you plan your free time and Dr Stephen will be offering a talk on nutrition and wellness during one of our delicious banquets.
.Our week will climax with a banquet and braai and a presentation of all our works!
Price per week for shared accommodation
900 Euro
The Art
The weeks workshops will offer a chance to work with a few different mediums including oil, acrylic paint and clay, Rici has carefully threaded the Greek Mythology in to a theme of our week of activities where she will take you through planning and creating of a portrait, create and sculpt with clay, and a final piece of your inspired choice.
“We will be exploring the PROMETHEUS story through our art from the breath of ATHENA to the creation of man with clay and the presence of PANDORA the all gifted one to leave us with HOPE for our lives ahead, and our artistic endeavors in the future”…
Whether you are an avid artist or jut want to experiment with something new, the workshop will be adaptable so you can set your own pace and embark on your own journey while spending this precious time with new friends on the healing island of Skiathos..
“NO GREAT ARTIST EVER SEES THINGS AS THEY REALLY ARE IF HE DID HE WOULD CEASE TO BE AN ARTIST THE AIM OF ART IS TO REPRESENT NOT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE OF THINGS BUT THEIR INWARD SIGNIFICANCE ”
— ARISTOTLE.
Your Hosts
RICI ALLISON - ARTIST
Born in Sunny South Africa Rici has lived and breathed art throughout her life, and currently runs her renowned and well loved mixed media art workshops from her amazing home and wedding venue in Pretoria, South Africa. There is not one wall or step that is not covered in one of Rici’s colourful and alluring art noveu inspired art works. Her home really is a glimpse in to her mind that is over flowing with beautiful creations.
Rici qualified at an advanced Academy for Art music and ballet I then in textile design and then completed her formal art training in Hamburg Germany.
“Ever since I can remember art has been my muse and it is such a big part of my existence almost like the air that I breathe it is impossible to imagine life without it!! Over the years I have used and perfected most art forms using almost any medium to create beauty.
I would now love to share this artistic journey with you and introduce the magical world of art as a muse for you too!!! I It would be an absolute privilege to share my artistic life journey with you and set you on a path of inner self healing through art”
DR STEPHEN ALLISON MD
With 35 years of experience in the field as a qualified medical doctor in South Africa, Dr Stephen holds a masters degrees in plastic surgery and Ophthalmology and is currently a Senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria .
“My passion is a more holistic approach to medicine with emphasis on good Nutrition and spiritual well being, especially in the field of Diabetes ,Obesity and Auto immune illnesses. Knowledge is power. We need to be better informed so that we can heal ourselves! I would love to share this knowledge with you",
KATE HANNAH SWART
Originally from Pembrokeshire, Wales, Kate is your host at Batlis House, her family home for 20 years. With a degree in Anthropology and International relations and a career in human rights and activism, Skiathos has always been her healing home and sanctuary; away from the madness of the world'.
In 2023 she finally made the move with her family (consisting of her little boy Johan 5, her artistic husband Cobus and fluffy dog Mac), to join her dad in Troulos, and to enjoy a slower and more focused family life, and to pursue her lifelong ambition to become an artist.
“I have painted my whole life. I paint interesting people I meet and the places I fall in love with. I have been very blessed to have lived in some of the most beautiful places on earth including my home in Pembrokeshire and the Gower peninsular, the Eastern Cape in rural South Africa, and of course Skiathos. I love the post impressionist era and art history and trying to capture what I have seen in to art with varying techniques and styles. I love being around people that appreciate and are interested in art, and it will be a dream come true for me to host an art retreat at my home, and to share my love for this beautiful island and art with you all.”
The Place
You are invited to stay at our traditional home Batlis House during your retreat. We are a simple, happy and loving home found in the village of Troulos, about 20 minutes from the airport and main Skiathos town. We are close to amenities and a bus stop, and 15 minutes walk from the beach.
Please feel free to explore our website to see our different apartments, each with their own character and style.
Skiathos
What can we say? It is a paradise.
The fresh water stream that feeds the Sporades Islands makes Skiathos one of the lushest Greek islands there is. For us it’s the nature, the blue azul Aegean sea, and quiet pathways through green mountains, visiting chapels and admiring the frescos, and of course wondering the Plaka and old streets of the beautiful Skiathos town with her ports, people and array of beautiful boats.
As soon as you step off the boat or plane, your senses are awakened and calmed and your healing begins. Skiathos has this magic for everyone.
During our week we will visit the mountains, a very special location where we will take our clay and play, we will go to the wilder Northern beaches, and even a boat ride..
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1- Meet and Greet, settle in and meet the hosts. Go to the beach.
Day 2- A morning stretch with Pepe, followed by our welcome breakfast. We will begin our portraits of Pandora and art practice at Batlis House and enjoy a buffet lunch. Your evening is free.
Day 3- A similar morning with optional yoga and breakfast together in the garden before finishing our portrait practice and preparing our clay. A suggested trip to the winery after lunch?
Day 4- Early breakfast today (tbc) as lets go on an adventure. Whether it be a day at the beach or a boat trip, your choice… take your sketch book and enjoy yourselves..
Day 5 & 6 - A yoga stretch before breakfast and 2 days of art workshops with our beautiful Rici. You are welcome to stay as long or as little as you like <3
Day 7- A free day, but you are invited to join us for early drinks and braai nibbles where we will do our mini exhibition and farewell pre eve party.
*Please note everything is flexible. If you would like to plan something separate for your stay just talk to Kate.
*Subject to small changes.
What’s included?;
Daily art workshops with Rici to help you practice techniques and build your confidence and develop your style.
All art materials to complete 3 art projects to take home or gift.
Accommodation in a shared self-catering apartment
Delicious Mediterranean inspired healthy Breakfast and Lunch for 5 days
Morning Yoga
A days adventure
Transfers from and to the airport!
Evening Braai (bbq) on the last night.
What’s Not Included.
Flights, Insurances (Recommended)
Extra. ‘ Trip to Winery; Tourist boat trip; Private Boat trip; Cooking Lessons,
Alcohol, Meat, Evening meals.
Price Per Person for shared accommodation is
Euro 900
Other Useful Information
There are direct flights to Skiathos from major European cities. Otherwise there are good connections via Athens, which is a 40 minute flight to the island.
Troulos, our village, is approx 20 minute drive from the airport.
There is a regular bus service in Skiathos which will take you to town or Koukounaries beach. The bus stop is 2 minutes from our home.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS,
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH US AT
kategethinglewis@gmail.com
44(0)7500833706
or via our contact form
