Paint, Paddle & Play Includes:

• Lodging with your choice of four (4) oceanfront king bedrooms, two (2) island-view queen and two (2) island-view twin rooms. See below for lodging options.
• Welcome care package
• Breakfast and lunch daily (Wednesday – Sunday)
  • The refrigerator and pantry will be stocked with food for you to prepare on-your-own breakfasts and lunches, including cereal and bagels, plus ingredients for smoothies, salads and sandwiches, with lots of snacking options also.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Dinner is NOT included with the retreat, but options include local restaurants, and groceries can be purchased to prepare dinner at home (fresh seafood or whatever you prefer).
• Coffee, teas and water, plus snacks
• Floor easels, with prior advance notice
• Drop cloths for each participant to use
• Basic toiletries (a suggested list of what to bring will be provided)
• Beach service with chairs and umbrellas
• Free Wi-fi
• Ample off-street parking

Activities Included:

• Creative introductions circle on Tuesday at 4:30 pm
• Daily morning meditation and reflections (totally optional—sleep until noon if you want!)
• A sunrise dolphin experience*
• A paddleboard excursion with a local guide (safe enough for beginners with all equipment provided)*
• Yoga on the beach with a local instructor*
• Two-hour Intro to Mindful Abstract Painting Session, including materials
• Several hosted group dinner outings at the best local places on the water
• Saturday afternoon shopping trip and gallery crawl in Apalachicola, featuring an amazing chocolate shop! https://www.chococoffeeco.com)

*Any activity canceled due to weather will be re-scheduled if at all possible. These events are not guaranteed, but they are being scheduled early in the trip to allow flexibility for weather-related delays.

**All group activities are OPTIONAL. This is YOUR vacation. Participate at the level you choose.

WRITING

Finding the Gift encourages readers to press pause daily to gain life-changing insights found in the most unlikely places.

Location Details

Paint, Paddle & Play will be held at a private home on St. George Island, in the Florida panhandle. Our oceanfront retreat space is classic Old Florida with fresh updates. The two-story home sits directly on the beach and faces the Gulf of Mexico, boasting breathtaking views. The peach sands of this Forgotten Coast barrier island are just beyond the door. Inside, the open layout offers versatility for a range of activities with plenty of space for guests to gather or find solitude. Well-appointed rooms with fresh paint, comfortable beds, and welcoming décor invite relaxation.

PLEASE NOTE: This retreat includes stairs into the house, a spiral staircase between levels, and stairs down to the beach. If you are not able to navigate stairs, regrettably, this is not the ideal retreat for you.

By car, our retreat destination is about an 8.5 hour drive from Nashville. (You can note on your application if you want to carpool from Nashville.) Or for flying, you may choose between two airports. Tallahassee International Airport (THL) is a 1.5 hour drive. Panama City Beach Airport (ECP) is a 2 hour drive. Transportation from the airport can be arranged for an additional cost (about $80-100 round trip with ride share). Angela will help coordinate arrival times for guests who are flying, to facilitate ride share when possible.

The drive from Nashville is easy, and if flying, you’ll experience beautiful scenery coming from the local airports.  You’ll be tempted to stop for photo opps, especially as you go through Apalachicola and cross the bridge into St. George. We usually vacation in the Destin/30A area of Florida, but people told me that St. George is worth the extra drive. They were right! It’s like stepping into a different, non-commercialized world. It’s an untouched beach heaven! Once you make the drive, you’ll understand why I am so excited to take you back with me. Read more about St. George below.

“Paint, Paddle & Play was a loving and welcoming group of women. Angela did a great job, the goodie bag was wonderful and I had everything I needed for food. I stayed in an oceanfront king room and enjoyed reading in bed while watching the dolphins swimming right outside.

The studio space created for us was perfect. It was wonderful to show up and paint and not have to worry about set-up or clean-up, other than my own materials. The price is right for what is offered and so well worth it! I left inspired and rested, and am likely to do another retreat with Angela. I would absolutely recommend to others.” ~ Amy J.

“My hopes for Paint, Paddle & Play were to feel refreshed by the ocean, enjoy some creativity and meet some lovely women and each one was met. Angela was amazing! Even though I didn’t use the mindfulness bowls a lot, I liked having them there. The food options were great. I loved it all, especially with the chances to eat out and eat at the home together. The pre-retreat zooms were wonderful and definitely helped me feel comfortable booking. 

I know many people take beach vacations all the time, but for me, it had been way too many years. I can honestly say that I’ve never had such a fun and fulfilling vacation as I had this week at the beach with my peers. The ability to not just rest and relax, but also to build deep friendships, laugh till we cried, create beauty together and celebrate each other was amazing. The unconditional love in the house was palpable.  

And the physical beauty of the sunrises, sunsets and beach time was unreal. I ACTUALLY SWAM WITH A POD OF WILD DOLPHINS!!!! This was the most euphoric moment of my life. Booking for 2024 was a no-brainer and I’m so excited to return!”  ~ Gina Parris

“Paint, Paddle & Play was everything I hoped for, such a relaxing time and was both educational and creative. It was wonderful getting to know these beautiful ladies. I felt like it was the perfect amount of activities and free time. I don’t know how she pulled it off, but the food was amazing and Angela makes the most delicious salads. 

I loved the pre-retreat zoom calls, so important when you have a trip planned with people who do not know each other. I felt more comfortable in my decision after attending Angela’s welcome zoom calls. Had it not been for the zoom calls, I wouldn’t have realized that I had an acquaintance who had signed up for the trip. We got to plan traveling together and now that acquaintance is a dear friend! 

I felt like Angela was a wonderful retreat facilitator. There was nothing left to want or need. I really enjoyed the trip and was able to unwind. Angela’s retreat was very meaningful to me and I loved the changes that I saw in the other women as well. I can’t wait for next year and have already reserved my spot!” ~ Denise H.

“I booked this retreat hoping to get relaxed and inspired. Paint, Paddle & Play definitely delivered on both! Angela is the whole package! She is creative and organized, and she attended to our every need. The only thing that would have made it better would be if she could talk to the dolphins in advance and explain that they should come even closer and hang out with us all day! lol! 

The food in the house was great. It is actually difficult for me to do group activities, so I was stretching myself and was glad I did. I appreciated the Zoom meeting before the retreat and I felt well prepared. I would have been terrified to go into a retreat where I hadn’t “met” some of the people in advance. As a result of the retreat, I am more rested, and I have lots of photos for painting inspiration! 

This is what I would say to someone considering Angela’s retreat: “Have you ever wanted a vacation that hit a bunch of your “to do” marks that YOU didn’t have to plan? Try “Paint, Paddle & Play!”  Angela plans a ton of activities that you can choose to do or not, as you are so inclined. We stayed on St. George Island, where high rises are not allowed. It felt like our own private beach to stroll, swim, photograph, paint, or just relax! 

Activities included paddle boarding (NOT in the waves), dolphin watching, YOGA on the beach, eating local cuisine, a trip into Apalachicola to see local art/shops, and an intro to mindfulness painting for those who wanted to learn more about it. With food, lodging, and activities already planned, all I had to do was get there and then relax! I had been saving up my money to do trips when I retire. However, recent health concerns made me realize that I might NOT be able to travel when I get to retirement age. Do it NOW!”  ~ Suzanne LeBeau

“Paint, Paddle & Play was definitely above what I expected. Angela was very welcoming from the moment we showed up, helping unload and introducing us to the ones that were already there. I loved my goody bag! I loved all the food, and the variety of teas was fantastic! 

I have a desire to focus on my wellbeing with my mind body and soul, and at the retreat, I had a shift in my outlook for my future. I would recommend something like this for women of all ages. Women tend to invest in other people besides themselves, but when you feel a nudge, go with it and invest in yourself! This retreat ignited me to look inside and give myself grace. Just having other women around me encouraged me to quit hiding and allow myself to be who God created me to be. 

Even though I had never painted before, I felt that nudge to go on this trip anyway and I’m very grateful I did. I had an infusion of love, kindness and passion poured into me that caused a shift in my overall wellbeing. When you put powerful women together, it ignites a fire and a friendship that no one can put out. As a group, you become elevated to a higher level! You learn to enjoy the next step to becoming a better YOU. I’m very, very thankful I went. I’m already registered for 2024 and I upgraded myself to an oceanfront king room this time because I’m worth it!” ~ Belinda Schrupp

“My hopes for Paint, Paddle & Play exceeded what I expected! I particularly enjoyed how we all were free to express ourselves in all the activities and I was surrounded with such genuine support. The variety of food was perfect! The goodie bag was an added bonus and the contents were so thoughtful.

Angela was so attentive to all of us. I was at ease and comfortable and I would 100% yes do another retreat with her. I took her Introduction to Mindfulness Abstract Painting Session and loved it! I have already checked into painting supplies!! To be in an inspiring and judgment-free zone with ladies like I met is a blessing every woman deserves to experience! I’m ready to go back and have already booked for 2024!” ~ Cynthia Pesce

Early Bird Lodging Options 

(4) King Bedroom with Oceanfront View, Single Occupancy     $1,695
(2) Queen Bedroom with Island View, Single Occupancy          $1,495

(2) Double Twin Bedroom with Island View, Double Occupancy         $1295 *

*Book with a roommate for the twin bedrooms, or share a room with a new friend.

Room preferences are offered on a first-come first served basis, at time of booking.

Early Bird pricing is good through Friday, June 7, 2024. (Rates will increase June 8.) Registration closes Friday, August 2, 2024.

After completing your registration application and having a short phone call with Angela to confirm that the retreat will serve you well, your non-refundable deposit of $295 will hold your reservation. Payment plans are available, with final payment due _August 2, 2024__.

Your curated Paint, Paddle & Play artist vacation includes so much more than a hotel or vacation rental stay! You’ll participate in fun and soul-nourishing activities, create art as much as you want with inspiring company and views, make new friends and enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch daily, plus all the amenities of a very large, beautiful home on the beach.

2024 DATES

WEEK ONE The first session will begin on Tuesday, September 3 (the day after Labor Day), with arrivals between 2-4 pm, and end on Sunday, September 8, with departures at your leisure, at or before 2 pm.

WEEK TWO The second session will begin on Tuesday, September 10, with arrivals between 2-4 pm, and end on Sunday, September 15, with departures at your leisure, at or before 2 pm. *As of 10/24/23, this week is almost sold out. If these dates work better for you, email Angela to see if anything is available.

Please be sure to sign up for priority email updates HERE  to make sure you are the first to see new updates or new weeks added!

Cancellation Policy for Both 2024 Sessions:

Cancel by ____April 3, 2024__:  full refund, less deposit
Cancel by ____May 15, 2024__:   50% refund, less deposit (OR 100% refund, less deposit, if spot is filled)
Cancel after __July 1, 2024___:  no refund (OR 100% refund, less deposit, if spot is filled)

Cancellations must be made in writing to Angela via email.

Rain Date

In the event of severe weather rendering travel to the island unadvisable, a rain date will be offered.

Optional travel insurance is suggested through Travel Guard https://www.travelguard.com/ or a provider of your choice.

Application

We’re going to be sharing a house together and I’m committed to providing a safe, fun experience so you can attend with confidence. I’ll be asking you to share a little about you, your art and your hopes for the retreat. Ready to apply? Click the button below to get started and I’ll see you on the beach!

More About St. George Island

Located just off North Florida’s Gulf Coast, the 28-mile St. George Island is one of the last inhabited yet unspoiled barrier islands in Florida – a serene and pet-friendly vacation paradise. 
*Unfortunately, however, no pets allowed at our retreat. Sorry, house rules!

St. George Island consistently rates as one of the top beaches in the U.S., with miles of uncrowded expanses for sunning and shelling, clear Gulf waters for swimming and fishing, and pristine marshes for wildlife viewing.

St. George Island is protected by low-density zoning and strict building codes. This makes St. George Island a tranquil beach community with no high rises or chain stores.