Struggling with feeling creatively blocked? 

Overwhelmed by everything that’s happening in the world right now? 

Experiencing the desire to step away from the distractions and responsibilities of life?

Looking for an opportunity to rekindle your creativity, share stories around the fire, walk along the beach, bask in the natural beauty of Toronto Island and have some fun?

Writer Anne Bokma and actor/playwright Lisa Randall, both award-winning creators, invite you to rediscover your art, invest in your next chapter and be supported in the company of an intimate, confidential and engaging group of like-minded women.

They are committed to creating an inspirational, dynamic, purposeful and supportive space for both emerging and experienced writers and performers alike.

Space is limited to 12 participants.

Location and accommodations

This creative escape will take place on Ward’s Island, part of the Toronto Islands, a car-free urban paradise that blends lush parkland, sandy beaches and skyline views. Located just a 5-minute boat ride from the hustle of downtown Toronto, the Toronto Islands feature 50 acres of parkland and are home to 250 picturesque homes which form a remarkable community with one of the highest per capita populations of artists in the country.

Your home for the week will be Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts, a secluded community cultural hub nestled against the shoreline of Lake Ontario. For more than 25 years, the Centre has hosted 10,000+ artists from around the world, offering residency space, studio rentals and retreats.

Housed in a former school, the Centre offers simple and comfortable private rooms with double beds, desks and shared bathrooms. Guests have access to a common lounge, fully equipped kitchen, laundry room and fire pit.

When was the last time you invested in yourself, your art and your dreams?

Give yourself this gift of time, space, inspiration and community.

GET IN TOUCH AND WE’LL REACH OUT ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS

Meet the facilitators:

Anne is Hamilton-based journalist, author, writing coach and retreat leader. Her memoir, My Year of Living Spiritually: One Woman's Secular Quest for a More Soulful Life, was published by Douglas & McIntyre and won the 2020 Hamilton Literary Award for Nonfiction and the Kerry Schooley Book Award. She is a recipient of the City of Hamilton's Arts Award for Established Writers.

Anne writes The Other Side of Midlife, a bimonthly column on the unique experiences and current events affecting those in the third act of life. It was recently nominated for a Landsberg Award (named after trailblazing feminist journalist Michele Landsberg) by the Canadian Journalism Foundation.

Anne is also the founder of the 6-Minute Memoir event, which showcases storytellers sharing intimate tales on a theme and which has been running in Hamilton for 10 years.

Learn more about Anne here.

Lisa Randall has a background in theatre, writing, movement and singing. An experienced facilitator for schools and community groups, she uses solo, duo and group theatre games to encourages fun, mutual support and playing toward your joy.

As an actor and playwright, Lisa’s play, The Sorauren Book Club received Patron’s Pick Award at the 2022 Toronto Fringe. She is currently developing her play, Sister Sophia Kicks the Habit, to be staged at the Hamilton Fringe in July 2025, about an aging nun in crisis. During Toronto Fringe 2025, she acted in the sold-out run of Desperate Measures, which won the critics’ pick new works award from Entertainment World. Lisa has acted in numerous commercials, TV/web series and films and recorded 2 albums of original music as a singer/lyricist.

As a museum administrator for the City of Toronto, she creates inclusive arts activations and co-created She-Rites, a womens' empowerment writing for healing program.

Learn more about Lisa here.

TESTIMONIALS

Here’s what retreat participants have to say about working with Anne and Lisa:

We’ve got room for 12 women and hope you’ll join us!

Life is short. Give yourself this gift of spaciousness to be creative, to explore, to relax, have fun, get curious and make new friends.

During our week together, you will be guided in life-sustaining creative exercises and inspirational teaching. You will be nurtured in beautiful soul-satisfying surroundings with delicious meals and the company of a caring community of fellow retreat participants. This is a week that will help increase your capacity for resilience, joy, movement and creativity in your life.

The best part?

We’ve done all the work for you. All you need to do is pack a bag and show up.

What to expect

The retreat is designed to boost your creative confidence, help you gain clarity on any projects going forward, uncover your unique writing voice and give yourself permission to play, invent and explore.

Your retreat experience includes:

• 6 nights accommodation in a private bedroom with shared bathroom

• 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals as well as snacks. Menus adapted for dietary preferences

• 2 two-hour workshops each day

• Instruction on the art of memoir

• Theatre games and movement

• Ample time and space for individual writing sessions

• Writing prompts and activities to spark your creativity

• Sharing your work in a safe and supportive setting

• 30-minute coaching session with both Anne and Lisa

• Supportive feedback from experienced leaders

• Closing ceremony of shared work

• Pre-retreat support for travel plans

• Pre-retreat Zoom meeting with all participants

• Group WhatsApp to connect with retreat participants and leaders

• Guided history walk on Toronto Island

• Transport to and from Gibraltar Centre for the Arts from ferry dock (10 minute drive)

• 2 yoga sessions during the week

• The opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of Toronto Island

• Group dinner at the Island’s Riviera Restaurant (at own expense)

• Optional massage on premises for a special rate of $150 for retreat guests. Offered by Oliver Dasey-Springer of Toronto Island Wellness (at your own expense)

• Optional pre- and post-retreat excursions for sightseeing in Toronto (CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, movies and plays, St. Lawrence Market, etc.)

Getting there

The City of Toronto operates a year-round 15-minute ferry service to Toronto Islands from its ferry terminal at the foot of Bay Street.

Local guests: Catch the Ward’s Island Ferry at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal in Toronto on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. You will arrive on Ward Island at 2:15 p.m. and will be transported by private van to the Gibraltar Centre for the Arts, a 5-minute ride. Ferry tickets are less than $10 and can be purchased in person or online.

Out of town guests: If you are flying to Toronto, arrive at the Billy Bishop Airport, which is located on Toronto Islands. On departing the airport, there is a pedestrian tunnel to connect to the mainland. From there it’s a short walk to the Jack Layton Terminal where you can catch the Ward’s Island Ferry.

If you are arriving by GO Train or Bus, travel to Union Station and walk 5 minutes to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal to catch the Ward’s Island Ferry.

Day-by-day schedule

Tuesday, Nov. 4

Arrival at 2:15 p.m. on Ward’s Ferry.
Orientation at 5 p.m.
Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Evening gathering at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 5
Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.
Workshop: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Lunch: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Workshop: 2-4 p.m.
Dinner: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Evening workshop/program

Thursday, Nov. 6
Yoga 7:30 a.m.
Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.
Workshop: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Lunch: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Afternoon guided history hike
Dinner: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Evening workshop/program

Friday, Nov. 7
Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.
Workshop: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Lunch: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Workshop: 2-4 p.m.
Dinner at The Riveria at 7 pm

Saturday, Nov. 8
Breakfast @ 8:30 a.m.
Workshop: 10-12 p.m.
Lunch: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Workshop: 2-4 p.m.
Dinner: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Free time

Sunday, Nov. 9
Yoga: 7:30 a.m.
Breakfast: 8:30 a.m.
Workshop: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Lunch: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Closing session/ceremony at 3:30 p.m.
Free time

Monday, Nov. 10
Breakfast: 8:30 a.m.
Depart Island: 10 a.m.

Pricing: $1,950.00

Retreat fee does not include:
Airfare, alcohol, cost of ferry and any excursions into Toronto.

Booking

If you are interested in this experience, we will set up a short Zoom meeting with you to answer any questions. After our call we will confirm your participation.

A non-refundable deposit of $500.00 CDN is required upon confirmation of participation to reserve your spot.

The balance of your retreat fee is due by Friday, Sept. 5, 2025.

Get in touch to book your Zoom call with us.