Artful Retreats

This is an initiative created 7 years ago. The organisers designed Artful Retreats, based on art therapy principles, to introduce Arts for Health in the popular field of wellness and well-being retreats. The objective of these retreats are to support participants' mental health well-being with the use of different modalities of art. Although Artful Retreats have a niche exclusive audience today, it is an initiative active in communication through which manages to broaden Arts for Health awareness. The format of the retreats are filled with creative interventions and are 4 to 6 consecutive days long. Participants often describe their experience in the retreats insightful, gaining a better understanding of their inner world, appreciating new tools to cope with stress and anxiety while reporting lasting behavioural benefits long after the completion of the retreats. The organisers are actively seeking ways creating events which can reach broader audiences. Their on-line and in person events have participants from all over the world. Artful Retreats is a collaboration between Penelope Orfanoudaki and Romny Vandoros and work in Switzerland, Greece and Australia.