A Collage Immersion in the Heart of Portugal

Hello creative friends! I’m beyond excited to invite you to join me for a soulful collage and encaustic retreat in the heart of Portugal this September! Our last retreat here was a beautiful success and I’m thrilled to offer this adventure again!

Tucked away in the sun-dappled countryside near Tomar, this 8-day/7-night all-inclusive creative getaway will be held at Casa da Avó Genoveva, a lovingly restored 17th-century estate that feels like a hidden haven for artists and dreamers alike.

We’ll spend our days in the studio working with collage as our primary practice, creating our own papers, layering texture and imagery, and gently exploring encaustic wax and mixed media in a slow, intentional way, surrounded by olive trees, warm light, and the quiet beauty of rural life. No previous experience necessary!

Come create with us in this golden corner of the world, where art, history, and heartfelt connection await!

DATES: September 22-29, 2026

Limited Spots Available

Join the Wait List

Your Time With Ivy:

Each day, we’ll gather for focused, inspiring studio sessions centered on collage as our primary medium. We’ll begin with simple warm-up exercises to loosen our hands and intuition, then move into creating our own collage papers using gelli printing and mixed media. From there, we’ll work slowly and intentionally, drawing inspiration from Portugal’s textures, colors, landscape, and natural rhythms.

In the studio, Ivy will guide you through a series of collage explorations that include abstract, nature-inspired, figurative, and landscape-based work. We’ll layer paper, imagery, and mark-making, with gentle opportunities to explore encaustic wax to further enhance the beauty and luminosity of your pieces. No prior experience with collage or encaustic is required. The focus will be on process, confidence, and creating work that feels personal and meaningful.

Where we will be staying:

Our home for the week is Casa da Avó Genoveva, a lovingly restored 17th-century country estate nestled in the Ribatejo region, just 10 km from the historic city of Tomar. This family-run property has been in the same lineage since 1837, blending traditional Portuguese architecture with modern comforts.

The estate features beautifully appointed rooms and apartments, each uniquely decorated to reflect the charm of rural Portugal. Guests can enjoy expansive gardens, a seasonal outdoor pool, and cozy common areas, including a lounge with a fireplace and a game room. Once the Casa da Avó Genoveva bedrooms are filled, we have two delightful apartments just a few steps away in the tiny hamlet that is next to the property. Our large studio area is filled with natural light and opens to the gorgeous gardens. The tranquil setting offers the perfect backdrop for relaxation and creative inspiration.

A message from our host:

It is with great joy that I welcome you to Casa da Avó Genoveva, my family's home for generations. This 17th-century estate has been a gathering place for friends, family, and now, artists like you. Sharing this cherished space, where history and creativity intertwine, is a true honor. I look forward to hosting you and witnessing the inspiration this haven brings to your artistic journey.

Warm regards,
Sofia

Limited Spots Available

DATES: September 22-29, 2026

Private BEDROOM with en-suite BATHROOM (on site)
SINGLE OCCUPANCY ($3600)

Private BEDROOM with en-suite BATHROOM (Hamlet apartment)
SINGLE OCCUPANCY ($3600)

Private BEDROOM with Shared BATHROOM (Hamlet apartment)
SINGLE OCCUPANCY ($3100)

Shared BEDROOM WITH EN-SUITE BATHROOM* (On site)
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ($3100)

*(This bedroom is for two people who are willing to share a double bed (queen) in a room with ensuite bathroom-

couples, sisters, close friends, mother/daughters.)

($300 USD Reservation Deposit)

JOin the waitlist

{ Casa da Avó Genoveva will handle all payments securely and assist with all booking details. }

What's Included

✔ Workshop instruction with Ivy Newport

✔ Encaustic materials and select shared art supplies

✔ 7 nights of accommodations at Casa da Avó Genoveva

✔ All meals, snacks, tea, coffee & wine (except 2 lunches + 1 dinner out)

✔ All excursions, entrance fees & private guides

✔ Round-trip Lisbon airport transfers

✔ Private ground transportation during retreat

✔ Thoughtful travel planning support from our host, Sofia and the Casa da Avó Genoveva team

Your Adventure Awaits!

A Creative Journey Rooted in Beauty & Belonging

This retreat isn’t just about making art, it’s about slowing down, noticing beauty, and reconnecting with your creative spirit. With Ivy’s nurturing guidance and the charm of rural Portugal as your muse, you’ll return home with artwork you’re proud of and memories that live on long after the week is over.

Join me in Portugal and make space for your art, your rest, and yourself…

Your Sightseeing Adventures

Tomar - the Templar city

Once home to the Knights Templar, Tomar is a city layered with history and quiet magic. We’ll explore the awe-inspiring 12th-century Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with ancient corridors, intricate stonework, and centuries of story. Afterward, we’ll wander through Tomar’s old town, where cobblestone streets lead to charming shops filled with local crafts, tiles, and treasures, a perfect blend of history and creative discovery.

óbidos - a medieval Village

Óbidos is a postcard-perfect medieval village enclosed by stone walls, filled with winding streets, painted houses, blooming bougainvillea, and azulejo tilework. From castle towers to quiet courtyards, every corner invites your sketchbook to open.

Casal das Freiras - A Taste of Tradition

Just outside Tomar, Casal das Freiras is a family-run vineyard with roots dating back to 1882. Surrounded by olive groves and rolling hills, the estate produces elegant, expressive wines shaped by the region’s sun and soil. During our visit, we’ll tour the cellars, learn about their winemaking process, and enjoy a relaxed tasting paired with local flavors—an authentic glimpse into the heart of Portuguese wine culture.

River walk in Tomar - Beauty in every step

Winding gently alongside the Nabão River, Tomar’s river walk is a peaceful path framed by weeping willows, stone bridges, and soft reflections. It offers a perfect moment of quiet—where you can sketch, stroll, or simply take in the light dancing on the water. This simple yet soul-nourishing walk invites us to slow down, observe, and connect with the natural rhythm of the city. We will connect with nature, enjoy a picnic lunch and sketch and paint along the way.

What’s Included In Your Retreat

Workshops With Ivy

Our creative journey in Portugal will be grounded in simplicity, presence, and intuitive exploration. I’ll guide you through collage as a primary practice, beginning with gentle warm-up exercises and the creation of your own handmade collage papers so you can work with materials that feel personal and alive.

We’ll spend our time in the studio layering texture, imagery, and color, drawing inspiration from Portugal’s landscape, patterns, and natural rhythms. Through abstract, nature-inspired, figurative, and landscape-based collage, you’ll be encouraged to work slowly, trust your instincts, and follow what emerges. We’ll also gently explore encaustic wax as an optional way to preserve and hold selected pieces.

This is a week to slow down, make art with intention, and reconnect with your creative voice in a supportive, unhurried environment. No pressure. Just time, materials, and space to create.

Private Travel & EXcursions

Our week will include a thoughtful blend of cultural excursions and quiet countryside beauty, all arranged with care by our trusted local partners. We’ll travel together in a comfortable, private vehicle, winding through golden fields, olive groves, and cobbled village streets.

No maps, no stress, just effortless discovery and the joy of being fully present. Sit back, relax, and take in the soft light, ancient stone walls, and timeless views as Portugal unfolds before us.

Accommodations

As golden light filters through the olive trees and the hum of the countryside settles into evening, our days end in comfort and quiet beauty. Tucked along a winding country lane, Casa da Avó Genoveva welcomes artists, wanderers, and seekers with its timeworn stone walls and sunlit gardens.

This lovingly preserved 17th-century estate offers a cozy blend of history and hospitality, where family artwork, heirloom antiques, old shutters, and the scent of roses remind you to slow down. Sip wine in the garden as the swallows dart overhead, journal beneath the fig trees, or curl up in a quiet corner with your sketchbook.

This is a place to rest, reflect, and feel gently held, a true haven for the creative soul.

Food & Drink

Each day at Casa da Avó Genoveva, you’ll enjoy chef-prepared meals made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and the warm flavors of traditional Portuguese cuisine.

We’ll gather in the gardens or even dine under the stars, sharing leisurely meals paired with local wines and finished with beloved Portuguese desserts, like creamy custards and citrus-kissed cakes.

A true taste of place, simple, soulful, and meant to be savored.