This retreat offers a gentle, contemplative art experience designed to complement St. Placid Priory’s forested setting and tradition of quiet reflection. Following an optional forest bathing walk on the Priory grounds, participants will transition into a three-hour guided forest paint-along in oils led by regional landscape artist Nancy Romanovsky.
Nancy Romanovsky is a Pacific Northwest landscape oil painter and educator whose work is rooted in forests and close observation of nature. She teaches oil painting as a quiet, mindful practice grounded in light, shadow, and presence.
You may want to visit Nancy virtual gallery
https://www.nancyromanovsky.com/
Details of this retreat
A Forest paint at St. Placid Priory
With Nancy Romanovsky
A Contemplative Forest Retreat
Spend a day immersed in nature, creativity, and quiet reflection. This retreat combines an optional guided forest therapy walk in the morning with a three-hour oil painting session in the afternoon by regional landscape artist Nancy Romanovsky.
Participants are gently guided to translate their sensory experience of the forest into a simple, expressive landscape painting. Instruction is mindful and step-by-step, emphasizing presence, observation, atmosphere, and simplified forms rather than technical skill.
The pace is intentionally slow and unhurried, allowing space for silence, focus, and personal reflection. No prior art experience is required, and there is no critique or evaluation. Participants are encouraged to work at their own rhythm, take breaks as needed, and remain present to both the natural setting and the creative process.
All oil painting supplies are available for an additional $10.
You may want to visit Nancy virtual gallery
https://www.nancyromanovsky.com/
Schedule
1 PM - 4 PM Three-hour guided forest paint-along in oils led by regional landscape artist Nancy Romanovsky
Traveling north from Portland, on I-5:
Take Exit 109
Turn left onto Martin Way at end of exit
Stay in the far right lane
Turn right at second light onto
College Street NE
Turn right at St. Placid sign
(second possible right turn)
Traveling south from Seattle, on I-5:
Take Exit 109
Turn right onto Martin Way at end of exit
Stay in the far right lane
Turn right at the light onto
College Street NE
Turn right at St. Placid sign
(second possible right turn)
Accommodation
Program Price
Program with all material
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
The Priory Spirituality Center is an ecumenical Christian ministry that encourages those of all faiths to discern the voice of God in their lives and in the world. A ministry of St. Placid Priory we reflect Benedictine values: peace, hospitality, community, learning and prayerful discernment.
We offer a peaceful and contemplative setting for personal reflection. We encourage and challenge people to know the presence of God in their lives through classes, workshops, retreats and individual spir
Meals
On-your-own breakfast: Center Kitchen. Eggs, milk, bread, cereal, fruit provided. Your own food welcome, may be cooked in Kitchen. Lunch/Dinner served, main dish+salad bar. Sun coffee hour after Mass
What's Included
Three-hour guided forest paint -along in oils
Led by regional landscape artist Nancy Romanovsky
Meditative painting session
Expressive landscape painting
Mindful observation of simplified forms, and atmosphere
Experience accessible to participants of all skill levels
Material available for an additional $10.
What's Not Included
Meals not included
Customer Reviews
4.85 out of 5.0 average rating
5.0
Verified
The solitary retreat I needed
The sisters and staff were gently welcoming. I read, wrote, walked the grounds, dined with the sisters, attended services, contemplated. It was a perfect setting and time and my soul is the better for it.
5.0
Verified
Hybrid: Continuing Contemplative Rest
This monthly contemplative experience is an excellent way to help me live out my Benedictine intention to live in the world in a calm and helpful way. There are many things that tend to distract me from intentional living and the work we do together in contemplative rest helps me live peacefully outside those distractions. I find I am much more focused on what's important when I have rested together with those present on the first Saturdays.
5.0
Verified
Perfect Pause
My experience was one of feeling completely unplugged and at the same time completely present for a whole different pace. Kind reception, great nap, deep reading, quiet walks, meals in silence, and participating in the Psalms topped off by a bit of retail (fiber art purchases). It was pretty much perfect. Betty G
5.0
Verified
Much Needed!
This was my first personal retreat at St. Placid, and it couldn't have come at a better time! Besides my full time work in a local church, I also provide in home care to my parents who are 95 and 96 and who both have dementia. Self care is important to those who care for others, and this time was much needed for me. The two nights and three days I spent at St. Placid were restful, tranquil, and rejuvenating. From the moment I arrived until I left, I was offered warm welcome and hospitality. The food was excellent. The sisters are all interesting conversation partners at meals. My room and facilities in the Spirituality Center were comfortable and well equipped. The grounds are beautiful in a forested location, and I was able to take walks, enjoying the Autumn colors, around the local area. You can pretty much make your personal retreat at St. Placid what you need it to be, whether it's silence, meditation, and prayer, reading or study in their wonderful library, or just a time of rest and fellowship. I plan to be back in the future!
5.0
Verified
Great Place For A Quiet Retreat
This was my first time at St. Placid Priory and I would definitely return for another retreat. Comfortable, quiet accommodations, very clean, delicious meals served by the in house chef, if you choose to include some meals in your stay, shared kitchen for making your own meals has what is needed and breakfast items included in the kitchen! Areas outside your room for quiet - a small parlour, the "Julian room," the chapel in the main building. Large trees all around and paths for walking - beautiful grounds. Just off the Interstate and easy to access. You can join the sisters for worship if you desire. A good experience. Those coming for retreat should perhaps be aware that both women and men can be guests, should the assumption be that only women will be here on retreat.
Top Rated
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Verified
Health & Wellness
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