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Tara Lombardi’s 2026 Lakeside Fluid Art Retreat

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Join us for a creative all-inclusive 4 day/3 night retreat hosted by Mixed Media Artist Tara Lombardi and Billie Gaura. The workshops take place lakeside on Deer Lake in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. You'll stay in a waterfront cabin and you'll attend workshops and gatherings where we will teach you, pamper you, feed you and encourage some genuine relaxation while you expand your fine art skills.

The setting is nestled along the east shore of Deer Lake, Washington, surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. Enjoy the view as we cultivate new friendships and make memories to last a lifetime.

In the evenings, we'll share meals and giggles as we sit by the fire and talk all things art and life.

Friday September 11th

  1. 12:00 Noon

    VIP Ground Transportation to Deer Lake

    Transportation will be provided via our VIP shuttle, with pickup at Spokane International Airport (GEG). The designated pickup location is past baggage claim, through the doors marked “Shuttle Loop.” Please plan your arrival accordingly, or return to the designated pickup location if you arrive in Spokane prior to Friday.

  2. 12:30 PM

    VIP Shuttle Pickup at Davenport Tower

    Our VIP shuttle will make a scheduled pickup at The Davenport Tower in downtown Spokane. Please be ready at the designated hotel pickup area by 12:30 PM for transportation to Deer Lake.

  3. 1:00 PM

    Welcome and Unwind

    Kick off your retreat experience with a warm welcome .This is your moment to arrive, exhale, and connect with fellow artists in an easygoing lakeside setting. Claim a sunny spot, and let the rhythm of the water set the tone for the creative days ahead. As you settle in, you’ll spend time with Tara, paired with a soothing chair massage designed to help you come to center, fully lean in, and open yourself to the experience of the weekend.

  4. 2:00 PM

    Lakeside Lunch

    Relax with your retreat family and enjoy a beautifully prepared meal crafted by our incredible Executive Chef, with the lake as your backdrop.

  5. 5:00 PM

    Happy Hour

    After you get settled into your room, come have a beverage or two with Tara and your fellow artists. We'll have both alcohol and alcohol-free options available.

  6. 6:30 PM

    Dinner

    As evening settles in, enjoy a Chef-curated dinner prepared by our Executive Chef.

  7. 7:30 PM

    Fireside Connection

    Our fireside chats take place under the open sky, gathered around the dock fire pits with the water in sight. This is an unstructured, easy time for conversation, reflection, and genuine connection—where the best moments often happen naturally.

Saturday September 12th

  1. 7:15 AM

    Yoga

    Start your morning with a guided yoga session designed to awaken the body, clear the mind, and set a calm, grounded tone for the creative day ahead.

  2. 8:00 AM

    Gourmet Breakfast

    Start the day with a relaxed, nourishing breakfast designed to ease you into the morning. Thoughtfully composed offerings paired with great coffee and an unhurried atmosphere.

  3. 9:00 AM Until 12 Noon

    Studio Session One - Base Layers - Fluid Acrylics Foundation

    Discover the beauty and movement of fluid acrylics as we create a dynamic foundation for future texture work. In this class, you’ll learn how to use fluid paint as a basecoat to build depth, flow and visual interest — setting the stage for laying texture techniques to come. We will cover paint consistency, application techniques, and how to create a strong visually engaging composition to build upon in future classes.

  4. 12:00 PM

    Lakeside Lunch

    A casually elegant lunch designed for refueling and reconnecting… carefully chosen ingredients, well-executed dishes, and time to reset before the afternoon.

  5. 2:00 PM Until 5 PM

    Studio Two – Building the Foundation with Texture

    Dive into the world of texture mediums and discover how to create a strong, dimensional foundation for your artwork. In this class, you will build layered textures designed to be enhanced later with fluid acrylics like acrylic inks, high-flow paints, and liquid acrylics. Learn how to create surfaces that interact beautifully with movement and color, adding depth and visual intrigue to your pieces.

  6. 5:00 PM

    Happy Hour

    Unwind and connect during happy hour with thoughtfully selected drinks and small bites in a casual, welcoming setting.

  7. 6:30 PM

    Dinner

    Gather for dinner and enjoy a meal designed to nourish, connect, and reflect on the day’s creative journey.

  8. 7:30 PM

    Fireside Connection

    As the day winds down, gather around the fire on the dock for an evening of warmth, laughter, and real connection. With the lake at your feet and the fire glowing, this is a space to relax, share stories, and simply be together.

Sunday September 13th

  1. 7:15 AM

    Yoga

    Start your morning with a guided yoga session designed to awaken the body, clear the mind, and set a calm, grounded tone for the creative day ahead.

  2. 8:00 AM

    Breakfast

    A carefully prepared breakfast featuring warm and light options to fuel creativity and conversation before the day unfolds

  3. 9:00 AM Until 12 Noon

    Studio Session Three - Adding Color to Your Textured Foundation

    Bring your textured surface to life with vibrant, flowing color. In this class, you will use fluid acrylic inks, high-flow and liquid acrylics to enhance and build upon your textured foundation. Learn how to use mediums and water to layer inks intentionally to create depth & movement that highlights every ridge and detail of your texture.

  4. 12:00 PM

    Lunch

    Take a pause and enjoy a relaxed lunch experience featuring comforting flavors and seasonal touches, crafted to recharge without distraction.

  5. 2:00 PM Until 5 PM

    Studio Session Four - Texture & Freestyle Class

    This class is designed as an open studio experience. You’ll work independently with one on one guidance as needed to: •Add texture over a fluid art base •Layer inks to create a standalone layered ink piece •Complete projects started in earlier classes •Explore a textured scallop-style piece It’s your dedicated time to experiment, refine techniques, and confidently bring your artwork to completion.

  6. 4:30 PM

    Happy Hour

    Sip, snack, and settle in with an easygoing happy hour that invites connection and a little celebration.

  7. 7:30 PM

    Farewell Dinner

    Evening dining at its best… a farewell dinner meant to be felt as much as tasted, honoring connection, creativity, and the final night we share.

  8. 8:30 PM

    Final Fireside Connection

    As the day winds down on our final night together, we gather around the fire on the dock for an evening of warmth, laughter, and connection. With the lake at your feet and the fire glowing, this is a space to relax, share stories, and reflect—our quiet au revoir until next year.

Monday September 14th

  1. 7:15 AM

    Yoga

    Start your morning with a guided yoga session designed to awaken the body, clear the mind, and set a calm, grounded tone for the creative day ahead.

  2. 8:00 AM

    Breakfast

    We hope you head home feeling relaxed and ready to take on the rest of your week. Be sure to bring your suitcases and belongings with you as we'll be wishing one another farewell at the end of the final session. Please note that you will be getting on the VIP Shuttle with your boxed lunch in hand as one final nutritious hug from Chef.

  3. 9:00 AM

    Final Session: Q & A with Tara

    As our retreat winds to a close, we invite you to gather one last time for a heartfelt farewell and open Q&A with Tara Lombardi. This is your moment to reflect, ask questions, share insights, or simply soak in the final moments of this creative, connected space. Whether you’re curious about techniques, want to hear more about Tara’s journey, or just need a little wisdom to carry home with you, this session is your chance. Bring your coffee, your questions, and your gratitude - we’ll wrap up together with warmth and intention.

  4. 10:00 AM

    VIP Ground Transportation to Spokane International Airport

    Enjoy stress-free transportation via our VIP shuttle, designed to make arriving and departing effortless so you can focus fully on the experience. They'll pick everyone up @ 10 am. Please make sure your flight leaves anytime after 1:00 PM.

Deer Lake, Washington