earthly muse
a mini residency
tending the creative spark
calling the ones who make. The ones who sing, weave, write, paint and dream. Calling the ones with their art fully ablaze or those who are needing some rekindling.
It’s easy for our creative pursuits to get back burnered, especially when bills need to get paid and responsibility knocks— especially when we live in a world that sees creativity as frivolous.
But— what if the world needed our unique creative expressions now more than ever?
If you feel the tug of your creative life longing for a little space- we have an invitation for you:
Earthly Muse: a mini creative residency
The spark of your creative life wants you to fan her flame. Come, feed your fire and nourish your art practice with expansive time on the land and in community, as together we court the muse.
Expect solo time to dive into your own creative project and unwind, delicious meals, time together on the land, nature-based invitations and writing practices to open up to your creativity, and time to share our creations and be witnessed.
You do NOT need to consider yourself an “artist” to partake in this residency. All you need is a desire for time and space to make something beautiful, whatever that means to you.
“Nature is the direct expression of the divine imagination”
Program Details
What? Earthly Muse retreat/ mini residency.
When? May 22-24, 2026
Where? Black River Farm and Wilderness, Madoc Ontario
Cost? 350- 425 sliding scale
Why? To stoke the fires
At the time of year when spring is peaking and seeds are sprouting, we will carve out 2 full days of devoted space for your art. Whether it’s writing or painting or drawing or knitting or song-writing, or whatever your medium might be, your art is calling. Come infuse it with the creative rhythms of spring at the Black River
What to Expect?
The intention of this weekend is to create the conditions and the space for you to explore an art form. There are no expectations for you to complete a project or perform. You will be encouraged to keep following the thread that is most alive- whatever that may be, as that is where creativity lurks.
Guided group time to clarify intentions and work with creative themes
Focused, quiet time to dive into personal creative projects
Time to connect to yourself and the land and other creatives
Community singing
Writing prompts and nature-based invitations to get the juices flowing
Loving nudges to lean into the edges of your expression
Lovingly catered group dinners
A huge wilderness to wander through, including the river, a potent muse!
Guides
Emily Kedar:
Emily is a poet and psychotherapist steeped in the nourishing waters of mystery and awe. An avid lover of animism and nature-connection, Emily’s art and facilitation seek to give voice to the complex and wild beauty that is life on earth. Emily loves to inhabit liminal spaces: between grief and praise, desire and loss, light and shadow. As with any living ecosystem, it’s at the edges where the most diverse life thrives. Emily’s space-holding is grounded, warm, curious and wide— there’s room for everything. Find out more: emilykedar.com and emilykedarwrites.com
Carly Joynt:
Carly was raised in a home where the love language sounded like Stevie Wonder and Pink Floyd, Ella Fitzgerald and Blue Rodeo. Somewhere between the church choir and bar bands she sang with, Carly got swept up by the renaissance of nature-inspired community singing and found a musical home. As an eco-therapist and wilderness guide Carly supports people to be in conversation with the more than human world which, according to her, doesn’t just speak- it sings! Carly brings a soulful invitation to the song circles she facilitates and welcomes people’s full selves into the room~ mess, beauty and all.
cost
We offer programs on a sliding scale basis in an effort to provide access to folks from a diverse set of life circumstances.
No matter where you fall along this spectrum, your fee will include accommodations at the farmhouse, 2 home made nourishing dinners, and a fully guided program.
The sliding scale for this workshop is $350- $425 (plus hst)
If you’re gainfully employed, the invitation is to pay the full price, otherwise please choose a place along the scale that allows you to participate. If you are really motivated to participate but are unable to meet these price points feel free to reach out. Depending on enrolment, we may have a partial scholarship available.
If you’re curious about which payment option to choose, or about sliding scales in general, we have found this article to be quite thorough and interesting: Sliding Scale: A Tool of Economic Justice
not included: lunches, breakfast, transportation
To Register:
Send an email to carly.joynt.counselling@gmail.com letting us know which pricing tier you are able to opt into. A non-refundable $150 deposit is required to register.