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

Retreat Dates:
- Begins Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 4:00pm
- Concludes Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:00pm
Location: Primary activities and accommodations take place at Sarabande Bed & Breakfast in Los Ranchos at 4022 C Rio Grande Blvd 87107
Traveling to Albuquerque, New Mexico (ABQ):
- Book arrival: Saturday, January 10 between 2:00-3:00pm
- Book departure: Tuesday, January 13 as around 7:00pm
- Send travel information to annie@mariposastrategies.com by Friday, December 19, 2025.
Transportation:
- You will be driven to/from airport or train station.
- Any activities outside the inn will be walking distance or I will drive us.

To Do Before the Retreat

Please read and sign this release no later than your arrival.

✔️ By November 30: Schedule pre-retreat session & fill out registration form.

Schedule pre-retreat session (helps me prep for you and get you pondering)
Fill out the registration form (dietary needs, emergency contact, etc.)

✔️ By December 19: Share your travel itinerary. Flight/train arrival and departure

✔️ On Thursday, January 8 OR Friday, January 9: If you have not received a 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine, please take a COVID test and send your results via Voxer or to annie@mariposastrategies.com. Scroll down for full COVID CARE PLAN.

✔️ By Saturday, January 10 at 12pm: Let me know what you time you plan to arrive to the retreat house (between 3-4pm is welcome, but if you’ll be early or late I need to know) Vox me or email me.

What to Pack

Most important: Your comfort.
Pack what makes you feel good, inspired, creative and safe.
Below are some things to know, a suggested packing list and weather info.
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.
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
Walk around your home and feel into what wants to come with you to the retreat. Follow your impulse.
✓ Photo of you as a child (minimum)
✓ 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 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
Clothes for museum field trips
✓ Warm and comfortable are key
✓ Comfortable shoes to walk around in
Clothes for nearby walks and optional 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 (sturdy with traction for the hike is important,)
✓ 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.
I will have for you:
✓ Masks (not required to wear)
✓ Covid tests (if anyone starts to fee sick)
✓ Your favorite snacks
✓ Welcome gifts that will include a tote bag which would be great for field trips

Weather forecast as of 1/6/26

During the Retreat

Saturday, January 10
- 3:00-4:00 Arrival reception: Snacks and bubbly (all dietary and non-alcohol desires will be met)
  - You can arrive anytime during this window — overnight guests shown to rooms; day guests welcomed into our primary gathering space.
- 4:00-5:00: Gather in primary space for a gentle welcome ceremony and intention-setting
  - Bring your objects for our altar — photo of you as a child, photos of anyone you would like to create in honor of (living or ancestors), and anything else you would like contribute to it for the duration of our time together. You will take your objects back at the end.
- 5:15: Leave for dinner
- 5:30: Dinner off-site
- 7:30/8:00: Return to retreat house/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 at retreat house
- 9:45: Morning gathering to decide how you’d like to spend your morning
- 10:15-1:00: Creative inspiration field trip to Albuquerque Museum (optional)
  - We’ll wander the galleries in silence for about 90 minutes. If desired by the group, we’ll gather over tea/coffee afterwards to reflect together.
- 10:00-5:00: Quiet, creative exploration encouraged
  - 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
- 1:30-4:00: 1:1 time with Annie if desired
- 5:30: Digest the day over a chef-prepared dinner at retreat 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 at retreat house
- 9:45: Morning gathering to decide how you’d like to spend your morning
- 10:15-1:00: Mountain hike (optional)
  - We’ll do a silent hike for about 90 minutes. Time scheduled includes driving + possible stop for tea/coffee afterwards, if desired by group.
- 10:00-5:00: Quiet, creative exploration encouraged
  - 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 retreat house
- 2:00-4:30: 1:1 time with Annie if desired
- 5:30: Digest the day over a chef-prepared dinner at retreat 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 at retreat house
- 10:00-10:45: Gather for gentle closing ceremony
- 10:45-11:30: Quiet contemplation encouraged; gather all belongings to leave the retreat house
- 11:30: Leave for Santa Fe
  - We will carpool in 4 vehicles. You can leave yours at the retreat house.
- 12:30-1:45: Museum visit #1
- 2:00-3:30: Lunch (this meal is self-pay)
- 3:30: Two cars returning to Albuquerque
- 3:45/4:00-5:00: Museum visit #2
- 5:00/5:15: Rest of us return to Albuquerque by 6:30
Meals and snacks will be provided as follows.
- Snacks will be available throughout all the days, including for off-sites.
- 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.

COVID-19 Care Plan

If you have received a 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine, you don't need to take a test before arriving at the retreat house.
If you have not received a 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine, please take a COVID test 24 hours before arriving and send your results via Voxer or to annie@mariposastrategies.com.
If your test is positive, unfortunately you will not be able to attend the retreat.
Tests will be available.
If at any point during the retreat someone feels sick and tests positive, we will do everything to support them and protect everyone else.
- If an overnight guest tests positive, they can self-isolate in their room and meals will be brought to them for the remainder of the retreat.
- If a day guest tests positive, unfortunately they will have to return home and be unable to attend the remainder of the retreat.
Annie can be reached immediately via Voxer.
If anyone tests positive within 7 days of the retreat (January 14-20), they will Annie immediately via Voxer or at annie@mariposastrategies.com so everyone else can informed to test and protect themselves and loved ones.