Heather Midori Yamada
Artist and Teacher of Contemplative Arts
CREATIVITY IN NATURE – 5 day all-level retreat
Auberge Le Saint-Louis, Lotbinière, Québec
​At the end of the summer, artist and teacher Heather Midori Yamada will receive students at the historic Auberge Le Saint-Louis for an extraordinary contemplative art experience.
Join us on Quebec's south shore for a creativity retreat in splendid Lotbinière, Quebec, Canada. We will relax and create in nature, enjoy gourmet meals and tap into our intuitive, innate creative selves. Beginning with short guided meditations, we will explore in colour and black and white, drawing, painting and collaging with Japanese style brushes on various Japanese washi papers.
We arrive late afternoon on Sunday and settle into our rooms, take our equipment and preview our work space for the following morning. Supper will be served around 6:30 that day where we will dine, meet one another and be introduced to our hosts. A full schedule with workshop details will provided upon registration.
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Looking forward to meeting old and new students for a fun filled and inspiring summer retreat!!!!
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More than a tourist experience, this workshop allows you to bring your own creative responses to the experience of nature.
Activities:
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2.5 hours of instruction in the morning
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1.5 hour reviews in the afternoons
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Meetings every second evening
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Optional yoga, swimming and walking
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Access to the atelier at all times
Dates: August 24-29, 2025
Location: L'auberge Le Saint Louis (La maison de l'inspecteur), 7497 Rte Marie-Victorin, Lotbinière, Quebec, QC G0S 1S0 (in Québec's Chaudière-Appalaches region)
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Cost Registration:
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$50* registration fee
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Non-refundable
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Reserves your place - maximum 12 participants
Cost Workshop:
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'Early Bird' pricing paid in full before July 1, 2025 – $525*
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Regular price after July 1, 2025 – $650*
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Cost Materials:
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$140* materials fee (see list below).
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Must be added to the Registration and Workshop fees. Note: materials fee may be paid separately up until July 1, 2025. Thereafter, they must be paid in full with the Workshop fees.
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Total Cost:
Early Bird: Reg. ($50) + Workshop ($525) + Materials ($140) = $715
After July 1: Reg. ($50) + Workshop ($650) + Materials ($140) = $840
*Payment via e-transfer (hmidoriy@gmail.com), or by cheque made out to HM Yamada and sent to HM Yamada 1148 Goodwin Suite #101, Victoria BC V8S 5H2
IMPORTANT: Cancellation for medical emergencies only–15% if less than two days in advance of workshop (in which case your materials can be sent to you). Note: I have NEVER charged my students for legitimate 'no show' reasons.
MEALS
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included with lodging
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3 meals / day
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a glass of wine with supper
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snack in the afternoon
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LODGING
Reservations : contact Auberge de Lotbinière/Auberge Saint-Louis
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Includes:
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air-conditioning (Supérieures et Regular rooms only)
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private bathroom
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access to the pool (towels provided)
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elevator (Auberge Saint-Louis only)
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​Lodging options...
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Supérieur Rooms
at Auberge Saint-Louis* or Auberge Lotbinière**
(king bed, Queen Anne bed or 2 single best - meals included)
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Single occupancy : $1170 plus taxes
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Double occupancy : $720 plus taxes
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* Lobélie, Bleuet or Belladone rooms
** Court-side rooms
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Regular Rooms
at Auberge Saint-Louis***
(Queen bed - meals included)
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Single occupancy: $1095 plus taxes
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Double occupancy: $675 plus taxes
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*** Mimosa, Rose, Pensée or Salon rooms
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Chambres d'enfant
à l'Auberge Saint-Louis
(2 single beds - meals included - NOT air-conditioned)
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Single occupancy : $700 plus taxes
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Double occupancy: $475 plus taxes
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TRANSPORTATION
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Ride sharing from Montreal can be organized. A shuttle service is available from Montréal and Québec airports, and/or pick-up from Quebec city airport
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Questions? hmidoriy@gmail.com (514) 917-5260
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MEALS, LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION
MATERIALS LIST
STUDENT MATERIALS : Students must provide:
Kindly collect your equipment well in advance of the workshop!
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A white, new, plastic table cloth, cut in two
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2 one-litre sized water containers
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A spray bottle
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4-6 covered plastic or glass containers for washes
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A toothbrush
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A Notebook
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HB pencil
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Ruler
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Apron
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J-cloths
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Snap-off knife
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A medium-sized newsprint pad
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10 sheets of aluminum foil
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Brushes: one medium round, one flat wash brush, one pre-soaked, medium size, dark-haired calligraphy type brush*
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1-2 small 16 x 20 inch canvasses
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Watercolours of choice including primary colors (Holbein, Windsor-Newton, Sennelier NOT Cotman) – (note: Some watercolours are provided but students should bring a few if they already have them.)
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Watercolour pencils- 1-2 (Stabilo or Carandarch type)
* available at Galerie de Chine, 94 la Gauchetière, Montréal
Questions? hmidoriy@gmail.com (514) 917-5260
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MATERIALS PROVIDED
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Imported Japanese washi papers
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High quality Japanese Sumi inks
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Collage papers
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Gel medium
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Pastels
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Pumice
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Acrylics
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Watercolours
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Glue sticks
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