Stories: A Weekend of Art & Connection- Jacqui Mair retreat
There’s something truly special about gathering for an art retreat at Court House Farm. Each guest arrived bringing with them different stories, needs, and reasons for stepping away from daily life. What they found was time — time to pause, to be looked after, and to let creativity move to the forefront.
Over the weekend, our historic setting held us gently. The ancient site, historic manor and gardens offered peace and inspiration, while nourishing food (including pears freshly picked from the garden, lovingly cooked into delicious dishes by Kirstie) provided comfort and care. The sun shone for us, and the gardens became a sanctuary in between hours in the studio.
What unfolded was not just about making art — it was about connection. With one another, with the history and spirit of the place, and with the creative process itself.
Part One: Collage with Jacqui Mair
Jacqui led our Collage retreat with her thoughtful teaching and gentle guidance. She has a wonderful way of holding the group, creating a safe, calm space where everyone felt free to explore ideas.
The focus was on the power of paper — both found and handmade — along with colour, composition, and storytelling. With only scissors and imagination, guests created deeply personal work, each piece telling a story that reflected something of their journey, their memories, or their dreams.
We worked in the Cowshed Studio, where each participant had their own dedicated table — a true gift of space. Having a surface to spread out, return to, and make your own is one of the joys of retreat life. Many commented on how important it would be to carve out a similar space at home, recognising that giving yourself room to create is an act of self-care as much as self-expression.
Jacqui guided us through a rich mix of experiences:
a timed collage workshop to spark energy and loosen up,
we were able to look closely at Jacqui’s own work and techniques,
demos that revealed her process step by step, including making our own printed papers,
learning about artist books and even creating one of our own,
and the sweetest touch — a postcard project. Each participant made and wrote a postcard, which we posted from Portishead on the final day. Some were sent to friends, others to themselves — thoughtful messages layered into the artwork itself, arriving later as a reminder of their creative journey.
By the end of the retreat, everyone had gathered a collection of pieces — some complete, some beginnings — which we displayed on their individual tables. On the final day, we shared these in a reflective group discussion, exploring the stories that had emerged, the surprises discovered along the way, and the personal significance of the work.
It was a privilege to witness how, in such a short time, a room full of strangers could find both connection and courage through collage. Jacqui’s expert tuition, combined with her encouragement to trust instinct and story, made this a truly inspiring experience.