The Emerging Artist Retreat 2026 Guest Information

Dearest,

I see this retreat as a sacred space of contemplation, creativity and revelations for both of us.

It came to me in the winter of 2024 through the liminal space of creativity, rest and tension. The kind of tension that feeds movement when you can no longer sit still. The kind that calls you into action. I couldn’t NOT do it. I knew deep in my bones this would be the next thing. Then I heard James Baldwin speak, and that was that.

Last year I started discovering a hidden-to-me talent for drawing. I honestly had no idea because I’d never slowed down enough to try. I always just assumed I couldn’t. In large part because no one had ever encouraged me to explore my creativity in a serious/not-so serious way. To honor it with time and space and be perfectly okay with whatever did or didn’t come out of it.

It turns out I know how to draw pretty well and now that I know I can’t go back to unknowing nor to the way things were.

This knowledge paired with my calling/vocation/gift for creating experiences led to an epiphany about where I’m heading in my life and with my business. I dreamt of an artist gathering in 2022, two years before I discovered the artist hiding inside of me.

This retreat is the sacred first of many creative retreats to come and I see you blessing it with your presence and creative revelations.

And, if this retreat is the last thing I do, I want you to be and to feel held, to be and to feel safe, to be and to feel inspired, to be and to feel a revelation creatively.

I hope you’ll look back on this retreat as a pivotal experience in your life.

What happens in community tends to create, in my experience, ripples for years to come in all of our lives.

I do not take it lightly that you are investing your time, energy, money and trust in this experience with me. Thank you thank you thank you.

Below you will find all the details you need to prepare for your time on retreat.

If you have questions or just want to say hey, reach me anytime now through the retreat on Voxer (free in the App Store). This is how I communicate with clients privately. Email works too, but Voxer is faster.

Big love,
Annie

The Essentials

Dates:
- Arrival: Saturday, January 10, 2026
- Departure: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Location: The retreat and accommodations are at Sarabande Bed & Breakfast in Los Ranchos at 4022 C Rio Grande Blvd 87107
Traveling to Albuquerque, New Mexico:
- Book arrival to ABQ on Saturday, January 10 ideally between 2:00-3:30pm
- Book departure from ABQ on Tuesday, January 13 ideally at/after 7:30pm
- Send arrival and departure information to annie@mariposastrategies.com no later than Friday, December 19, 2025.
Transportation:
- You will be driven to/from ABQ airport or train station.
- Any activities outside the inn will be walking distance or I will drive us.

Before the Retreat

✔️ By November 30: Schedule your pre-retreat session (feel free to schedule anytime in the spring or early summer)

✔️ By December 19: Share your travel information to NM, if relevant. What day will you arrive, time and flight/train info.

✔️ On Thursday, January 8 OR Friday, January 9: Take a COVID-19 test and email or Vox a picture of your result.

What to Pack

Most important

Your comfort. What helps you feel good, inspired, creative and safe.

Below the weather information is a suggested packing list.

To know

Creativity is our compass, so you’ll want feel good and comfortable. Easy, breezy, cozy vibes.
We will have a group altar that I’d like for you to bring a few things for which are in the suggested packing list.
There will be an optional mountain hike that will be best experienced with sturdy hiking shoes or boots and warm outdoor activity clothes. It will be cold, possibly snowy and likely a bit muddy.
We’ll be at the retreat house for activities and meals except for a special dinner on Saturday, the optional field trips each day and our last day in Santa Fe.
There is no gym equipment on site but several trails right out the door, and we’ll go for a group walk nearby and hike in the mountains (optional of course).

Weather

January in Albuquerque will be anywhere from very cold to kinda warm. It can fluctuate 30-40 degrees from morning to afternoon.

Count on 30’s-40’s during the day and 20’s at night. Could be colder or warmer though so layers are your friend.

Weather this past January for reference:

Suggested packing list

We will be together for 3 days and 3 nights. We will be the only people at the retreat house, so be as comfortable as you would be out with your people :)

For our altar

✓ Photo of you as a child

✓ Photos of anyone you would like to create in honor of (living or ancestors)

✓ Anything else you would like contribute to it

Non-clothes

✓ Personal toiletries and medications

✓ Water Bottle

✓ Items, trinkets, books that inspire you and make you to feel good.

✓ Earbuds

✓ Phone charger

✓ Art supplies that are special or important to you

Essential clothes

✓ Undergarments

✓ Favorite pajamas

✓ House slippers or socks

✓ Warm, comfy/stretchy, casual clothes you can make art and lounge in

✓ A cozy sweater, sweatshirt and/or other long sleeve layers

✓ A proper coat, gloves, hat or earmuffs, and scarf

Clothes for museum field trips

✓ Warm and comfortable are key

✓ Comfortable shoes to walk around in

Clothes for optional nearby walks and one mountain hike

✓ Warm pants

✓ Long sleeves

✓ Sweater or sweatshirt

✓ Warm coat for hike

✓ Outer layer for nearby walks (won’t be as cold as mountain hike)

✓ A pair of walking shoes and/or sturdy hiking boots or shoes

✓ Brimmed hat or visor (even when it’s cloudy and cold, the sun will get you)

✓ If you would like to walk or go for a run on your own, bring what you need.

Clothes for dinners:

Be as comfortable and/or dressed up as you’d like.

Saturday — special dinner off-site…maybe dress up for fun
Sunday & Monday — fun house party vibes with friends…maybe casual chic

I will have for you:

✓ Masks (not required to wear)

✓ Covid tests

✓ Your favorite snacks

✓ Welcome gifts that will include a tote bag which would be great for field trips

During the Retreat

Schedule

Saturday, January 10

3:00-4:30: Arrival reception
- Snacks and bubbly (all dietary and non-alcohol desires will be met)
- Everyone to take COVID tests upon arrival as well as the day before
5:00-6:00: Gather for a gentle welcome ceremony and intention-setting
6:15: Leave for off-site dinner
8:00/8:30: Wind down for a restful night of sleep

Sunday, January 11

7:00: Coffee, tea and pastries served (all dietary needs will be met)
8:30: Breakfast served for overnight guests
9:30: Day guests arrive
9:45: Gather and decide how you’d like to spend your morning
10:00-1:00: Creative inspiration field trip to Albuquerque Museum (optional)
- We’ll wander through the galleries silently for two to two and a half hours. We’ll have some tea/coffee after if desired by group.
10:00-5:00: Quiet, creative exploration at the retreat house
- Nearby walking trails, nooks and spaces at the retreat house to sink into should you want to stay behind
1:00-2:00: Casual, grab and go lunch at the retreat house
1:00-3:00: 1:1 time with Annie if desired
6:00: Digest the day over a chef-prepared dinner at the house
8:00/8:30: Wind down for a restful night of sleep

Monday, January 12

7:00: Coffee, tea and pastries served (all dietary needs will be met)
8:30: Breakfast served for overnight guests
9:30: Day guests arrive
9:45: Gather and decide how you’d like to spend your morning
10:00-1:00: Mountain hike (optional)
- We’ll do a silent hike for 60-90 minutes — the time scheduled includes driving to/from + possible stop for tea/coffee after if desired by group.
10:00-5:00: Quiet, creative exploration at the retreat house
- Nearby walking trails, nooks and spaces at the retreat house to sink into should you want to stay behind.
1:00-2:00: Casual, grab and go lunch at the retreat house
1:00-3:00: 1:1 time with Annie if desired
6:00: Digest the day over a chef-prepared dinner at the house
8:00/8:30: Wind down for a restful night of sleep

Tuesday, January 13

7:00: Coffee, tea and pastries served (all dietary needs will be met)
8:30: Breakfast served for overnight guests
9:30: Day guests arrive
9:45-10:45: Gather for gentle closing reflections
10:45-12:00: Quiet, creative exploration at the retreat house
- Nearby walking trails, nooks and spaces at the retreat house to sink into.
12:00: Leave for Santa Fe
1:00-2:15/2:30: International Folk Art Museum
2:30-3:30: Lunch (this meal is self-pay)
3:45/4:45: SITE Santa Fe
5:00: Return to Albuquerque
6:00-6:30: Airport and/or train station drop offs

Food

Meals and snacks will be provided as follows.

Saturday, January 10: snacks upon arrival, dinner off-site
Sunday, January 11: breakfast for overnight guests, lunch & dinner at house
Monday, January 12: breakfast for overnight guests, lunch & dinner at house
Tuesday, January 13: breakfast for overnight guests — lunch in Santa Fe is self-pay and not included.

After the Retreat

If anyone tests positive within 7 days after the retreat, they will notify Annie immediately so she can notify everyone to test, protect themselves and loved ones.

COVID-19 Care Plan

Everyone, including Annie, will:
- Test no more than 48 hours before arriving (January 8)
- Test upon arrival to Sarabande (January 10)
If at any point during the retreat someone feels sick and tests positive, they will isolate in their room and be supported based on their needs & symptoms in getting home safely.
If anyone tests positive within 7 days of the retreat (January 14-20), they will notify Annie immediately at annie@mariposastrategies.com.