Forest Dialogues is a series of one-day retreats bringing the focus of our contemplative arts practice to the trees and forest community. Participants choose a particular tree or location in the forest to listen, meditate, and respond through their art practice, aiming for work—in whatever genre or form they choose— that is a direct response to the experience of being there. This work is shared with the other practitioners during a forest walkabout after the third session, visiting each location in turn. The goal is not polished, finished pieces but immediacy of response and generosity in sharing. Forest Dialogues is an opportunity to engage in a deeper dialogue with nature (and with other humans) through artmaking.

We have offered three Forest Dialogues retreats, in July and October of 2023 and September 2024. The next is scheduled for June 2026.

The gallery below shows different aspects of our forest setting.