STITCH RETREAT
Amassa, South West France
22-29 April 2024
Join me for my Stitch Retreat at Amassa, South West France in April 2024. Nestled in the rolling hills of southwest France, about an hour away from Toulouse, Amassa is a tranquil collection of old stone buildings and verdant gardens that offer an inspiring setting for artistic development. This 7 nights / 8 days retreat is an intimate experience with enrolments restricted to a small group.
Stitch Retreat
22-29 April 2024
During your week long stay, you'll have the opportunity to develop your creativity through the art of slow stitching and to immerse yourself in the beauty of the surroundings. You'll be inspired by the spectacular views of the surrounding hills, the sounds of birdsong in the woods, and the intimacy of a small group of like-minded creative people who love all things textiles.
Whether you're an experienced stitcher or just starting out, this retreat offers the perfect opportunity to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and discover the joys of creative expression. Join me at Amassa in Spring 2024 for an unforgettable experience.
THE WORKSHOP
The workshop is an invitation to develop your creative expression through stitch, taking inspiration from a sensorial experience of place. You will learn to develop a design, explore expressive stitches to evoke emotions and create a narrative. We will take inspiration from the abundant nature around us. This is an opportunity to explore new ideas, and engage in creative play at a gentle pace. I will be present throughout to provide one-to-one feedback, support and direction. The intimacy of our small group will be an incredible learning environment to give and receive encouragement and support.
Students will receive a beautifully curated material kit including fabric, needles, embroidery threads.
No prior embroidery or textile experience is necessary for this course.
NOURISHING EATS
In addition to the creative workshop, you'll enjoy nourishing meals prepared by our talented chef, Woody, who sources the freshest local ingredients to create seasonal dishes that cater to a variety of dietary needs. We will also have a selection of tea, coffee and treats thoughts the day. There will also be plenty of time to develop your creative expression, connect with nature, draw by the outdoor pools or continue stitching by the cosy fire.
To get a flavour of this beautiful part of France, we will go on a group excursion to explore the delightful town Lectoure, known for its characterful cafes, food market, antique stores and vintage shops. We will also visit the local Woad Museum in Lectoure to delve deeper into the textile history of the region.
OUR VENUE AMASSA
Amassa is an elegant collection of stone houses, each with characterful rooms. The interiors have been carefully curated and decorated with locally sourced antiques and materials, and all rooms feature en-suite bathrooms fitted with showers. There are lounge areas in addition to the various communal areas for workshops, relaxation, eating, and gathering.
We can accommodate people with disabilities including wheelchair users. However, please note that the ground is uneven.
TRAVEL
Amassa is in South West France, 1 hour west of Toulouse which has an International airport and intercity train station.
Please note that we will arrange a group collection from Toulouse train station & airport in a minibus at 4 pm on Monday 22 April, and similarly arrange a group drop off to Toulouse train station and airport departing from Amassa at 10am on 29 April.
Please organise your travel plans accordingly. If for any reason you need to travel earlier or later, we would be happy to assist you in arranging taxis to or from the venue to be paid at your own expense.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 Breakfasts, 6 lunches (1 lunch at guest’s own expense on market day), 7 dinners
- Transport to and from excursion
- 6 day tuition with Ekta Kaul
- Materials for the workshop
- Group pick up and return to the airport/train station at a specific time.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Airfares and 1 lunch during the excursion are not included.
"My experience in Amassa has exceeded everything I had hoped for. Our days were filled with a balance of lessons and lots of time to be creative, and Ekta was always available to offer advice and instruction. Ekta facilitated a positive and supportive energy in our workshops and honored our individual artistic expression. I didn't want our week to end!"
Kay LindbloomUSA"From the welcome hug upon arrival to the incredible instruction, the wonderful fellowship at mealtime, to the peaceful surroundings, and the chatting, sharing, and laughter during our stitching sessions, this was an all-round fantastic experience."
Linda BahrUSA
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Monday 22 April - arrival, settle in, dinner
(Group collection at 4 pm from Toulouse airport and train station to bring you to Amassa)
Tuesday 23 April - Stitch Workshop
Wednesday 24 April - Foraging Walk, Stitch Workshop
Thursday 25 April - Focus on colour. Stitch Workshop.
Friday 26 April - Visit to vintage shops in nearby historic town Lectoure & visit to Woad Museum.
Saturday 27 April - Stitch Workshop
Sunday 28 April - Stitch Workshop, Informal show & tell with the group.
Monday 29 April - Group Departure after breakfast to airport/trainstation at 10 am
AIRPORT/TRAIN STATION TRANSFERS
We will arrange a group collection from Toulouse train station and airport in minibuses at 4 pm on Monday 22 April, and similarly arrange a group drop off to Toulouse train station and airport departing at 10am from Amassa on 29 April. Please organise your travel plans accordingly. If for any reason you need to travel earlier or later, we would be happy to assist you in arranging taxis to be paid at your own expense.
ITERNERARY
8.30 am-9.30am Breakfast
9.30-1 pm Workshop
1 pm-2.30 pm Lunch
2.30-5.30 pm Workshop
7-8.30 pm Dinner
9 pm onwards self led studio time
TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR RETREAT PARTICIPANTS
"Such a wonderful, supportive, creative environment was created by Ekta, where ideas were given space to emerge and encouraged to flourish, in their own time. Delicieux all round!"
Kate PetersonNew Zealand"Absolute joy in joining Ekta's group at Amassa. The stitching, learning, meeting a wonderful group of like minded friends and the experience of Amassa, with its location, food, character and hospitality was wonderful."
Rhondda MockettAustralia"Ekta is a wonderfully generous and encouraging educator. This week away in the south of France has been very inspiring and restful all at the same time. Lovely to meet people with a similar passion for textiles from all corners of the globe, share stories and stitch together."
Julie HowellsUK
ACCOMODATION PREFERENCE
Single Occupancy with Ensuite
£3650 . 00
for 7 nights/8 days
EUR 4187 approx
Double Occupancy with Ensuite
£3250 . 00
for 7 nights/8 days
EUR 3730 approx
BOOK YOUR PLACE
DEPOSIT
To book your place, please fill out the form below with your preferred accomodation.
25% of the workshop fee is required to register. We will send you a payment link for this.
The remaining amount is due by 1 Feb 2024
Please note all bookings are first come first serve basis. Accomodation at Amassa is shared (two adults per room) with the exception of 4 single occupancy rooms, so if you prefer single occupancy please book early.
REFUND POLICY
All payments including the deposit are non-refundable unless we are able to fill your spot or we cancel the workshop. We highly recommend travel insurance for your airfare and workshop fees in case you are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS
25% of the fee is due on registration. This is non-refundable, unless we are able to fill your spot or we cancel the workshop. Remaining payment is due on 1 Feb 2024.
PAYMENT
Payment can be made by debit or credit card. We will send you a payment link upon receiving your booking form.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions about anything not covered here, please contact us by emailing at info@ektakaul.com and we will do our best to help you.
Send Your Booking Request
About Ekta Kaul
Ekta Kaul is an award winning artist known for her narrative maps that explore place, history and belonging through stitch. She works on public and private commissions and her work is held in several permanent collections including at the Museum of London, Crafts Council, Liberty of London, the Gunnersbury Museum, Tatter Blue Library (Brooklyn,USA) and those of private collectors. Ekta loves to inspire creativity and has been invited to teach at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, Tatter, TOAST, the Makerie and many more. She has received awards from the Crafts Council and the Arts Council England and was the winner of 2021 Cockpit Arts Textile Prize. Her work has been featured in Financial Times, BBC Radio 4, Vogue, Selvedge and Embroidery Magazine among others. She works from her studio in leafy West London, UK.