The Big Picture Retreat
The Art of Your Life's Work In Words & Action
with Kathryn Lorenzen & Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg
June 20-22, 2025 at the Storied
Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Our annual retreat is a welcome refuge from your workaday world to discover what's knocking on the door of your life's work right now, welcome what you're ready to embrace, and dream how you might put a plan into action for the next year. Along the way, you'll re-visit your callings, then examine and reset goals that fit your life and work now. With other participants, you'll find greater companionship for the journey as well as new ways to build and sustain your vision and resilience. We'll also relax and have a lot of fun.
This is an ideal retreat to come to each year as an inspiring, thoughtful, and loving way to plan out what to cultivate, edit out, and invite into your coming year.
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The Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow is a highly-charged creative space, seasoned well by decades of creatives coming here to write, create, dream up and plan out their life's art and work. Each attendee staying at the colony will find replenish in their own suite of rooms as well as beautiful common spaces inside and on balconies and porches.
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How Do I Know If This Is For Me?
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You might find this an ideal retreat if you identify with one of these scenarios:
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I am in the middle of my work life but feeling like I’m just drifting. I’m drawn to explore – What brings me meaning? How do I find what I’m called to do? How can I fit that into my life and work?
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I am in a later stage of my life and trying to figure out what I want the rest of my life to be about – What do I really want now to do, contribute, accomplish, or create? How can I head in that direction?
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I am already doing creative or meaningful work as a career, but I feel pulled to shift direction – Do I want to launch my own practice or business? How can I bring more purpose and meaning to my work?
"The Big Picture retreat was
a life-affirming experience I cannot recommend highly enough. Not only did
I uncover my passions on a deeper level, I also learned tools for moving those passions forward in my life. Added bonus: Meeting incredible people of love and support who I now treasure."
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~ Chad Gurley, artist & writer
What You'll Experience
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This retreat offers you a replenishing journey into the work that calls to you and how to artfully plan your best next steps to realize that work, whether it's art, service, or livelihood. Through creative and mindful sessions, you'll unearth more of what you always wanted or suddenly need to discover and enact.
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We find better ways forward through walking our journeys with supportive companions, and the circle we make together will give us greater perspective, help, and ideas. The welcoming, non-judgmental community we make together lifts us toward our bravest and clearest decisions and discoveries.
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You will also have time to wander the charming, artistic, and historic town of Eureka Springs, wander trails, visit bookstores and coffee shops, and luxuriate in your creative spirit on some of the porches, decks, and balconies of Dairy Hollow. Registration information here.
"I found "The Big Retreat" transformative. It was a perfect blend of deep introspection and big fun, all within a wonderfully supportive community. The exercises were encouraging and challenging, allowing me to rejuvenate and reflect deeply. I left the retreat with a clear vision and actionable plans to bring my Big Picture into focus. It was an experience that renewed my energy and gave me a clear path forward."
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~ Erin McGrane, writer, performing artist, and mentor
The Retreat Schedule
The retreat schedule will give you time to relax, connect, and rejuvenate your plans and dreams for your work. If you'd like to stay over extra days days for more of a retreat, possibilities abound. Exact dates to be set early in 2025.
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Friday
2-4 p.m.: Check-in
4-6 p.m.: Welcome to the House of Your True Work
6-7: Dinner
7-9 p.m.: What Do You Love to Do?
Saturday
7:30-9: Breakfast
9-11: Big-Picture Possibilities for Your Work
12-1: Lunch
1:30-3:30 p.m.: Seasonal Planning to Realize Your Dreams
3:30-6: Open time
6-7: Dinner
7-9 p.m. Self-Care and Company for the Journey
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Sunday
7:30-9: Breakfast
9-10:30: Sharing Goals, Next Steps, Aspirations, Good-byes
Special Guest:
Laurie Fickle
Laurie Fickle, a health coach and long-time fellow creative, provides extra support for us throughout the retreat, including facilitating sessions on working with our energy and finding greater balance in our solo time and time together. She also helps all of us feel more welcome and tucked into the retreat.
Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow
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The writers' colony was founded in 2000 by Crescent Dragonwagon and her husband Ned Shank with the mission of providing uninterrupted time for writers to create and interact with the wider community. Located in two side-by-side houses -- one a renovated farm house and the other a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home -- the colony is located on a street full of historic homes, lush gardens, and astonishing rock formations and natural springs.
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Accommodations & Meals
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We will have a luscious farm-to-table dinner prepared by the Dairy Hollow chef Jana Jones on Fri. night and we'll enjoy a special celebratory dinner at or catered by a local restaurant Sat. night. Dairy Hollow provides an ample pantry full of food, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options for our breakfasts and lunches. Each suite also has an office/studio, comfortable bed, mini kitchen, private bathroom.​
"I am grateful I signed up for the Big Picture Retreat at Unity Village with Caryn and Kathryn. I was filled to overflowing with fresh, alive writing prompts and shared group stories. I came home with a sense of belongingness and beautiful new ways to carry it forward creatively. One can truly experience their gifts as they facilitate a group in an open, kind and creatively inviting space. Highly Recommended!"
~ Dianna Burrup, Singer/Songwriter
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs, in Northwest Arkansas, is known for its natural hot springs, Victorian homes, historic district, and abundance of the arts. The town prides itself on being welcoming to creatives and fostering a safe and inclusive atmosphere welcoming to LGBTQIA+ visitors. With abundant galleries, studios, literary happenings, and great restaurants and coffeehouses, Eureka Springs makes people from all walks of life feel at home, and indeed, the town's motto is "where the misfits fit."
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Dairy Hollow is half-way up the mountain Eureka Springs is wrapped around, and at the top of the mountain, there's the view to the left and the historic Crescent Hotel (where all Dairy Hollow guests are welcome to swim in the pool or lounge on the grounds). The colony is also a walkable mile to downtown. In all directions, you'll summer at its zenith with abundant gardens, songbirds, and fascinating humans too.
Fees and Registration
The Investment: Retreat, meals, and lodging total $600.
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Retreat Fees: The cost of the retreat is $370, which includes all sessions, ample handouts, and surprises along the way.
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Lodging & Most Meals Onsite: Includes two nights' lodging in a private suite and meals from Fri. dinner through Sun. breakfast (excluding Sat. dinner), plus snacks & refreshments: $230 for single occupancy. Note: As of 12/18, here are three remaining rooms (suites that include bedroom, office, bathroom) at Dairy Hollow, available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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Off-Site Lodging & Most Meals: Includes meals Fri. dinner through Sun. breakfast (excluding Sat. dinner), plus snacks and refreshments: $90. The Eureka Springs area has dozens of hotels, bed and breakfasts, lodges, cabins, and Airbnbs, and you would be responsible for booking your own lodging. See many options at Travel Eureka Springs here.
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How to Register:
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Register and pay via Venmo (Caryn-Goldberg-2), check (email Caryn for address), or Square a total amount of $600 for onsite or $460 ($370 retreat + $90 meals) for off-site, or contact us if you'd like to make a deposit down and pay the balance later.
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Email us as to how you paid or plan to pay and to let us know your first and second choices for a suite: In the 515 Spring Street house, the Langston Hughes suit is available. In the 505 Spring Street house, all the suites except Zeek Taylor are currently available (all suites includes a bed, office area, private bathroom, and mini kitchen).
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To ensure that Dairy Hollow has all the information it needs from you, all retreat participants are required to fill out the application form here, but you do not need to provide work sample and for project, you can say Big Picture retreat.
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If you would like to arrive early to give yourself even more of a retreat, please contact Dairy Hollow (no suites available after the retreat).
Dairy Hollow will also contact you beforehand to access your food needs. For our special celebration dinner Saturday evening celebration dinner at or from a local restaurant, you are responsible.