✨Queer✨

(& queer-adjacent)

Art Retreat

at Motel Bear Lake

Overview

a weekend of creativity & connection

Participation is whatever you choose. This is your weekend.

✨ Friday, May 8 ✨

4 pm: Check-in Begins - head right to your room to get settled. Your keycode will be texted on Friday morning

Off-site Option:

5-7 pm Free opening reception for The Art of the Tattoo at

The Ramsdell Historic Theatre

(18 mins from the motel.)

7 pm: N/A Welcome Happy Hour and Art Parlor Games at The Bar

9 pm: Crystal-bowl Sound Bath Laurie - Light&Power

✨ Saturday, May 9 ✨

8 am: Higher Grounds Coffee at The Bar

10 am: Mosaic Tiled Trays - Brooke - Broken Glass Co.

Locally-sourced lunch by Chef Jared

2 pm: Guided Nature Hike with Manistee Tourism

4 pm: Botanical Embroidery - Heather - Whatever We Want Crafts

5-11 pm: Open Studio Time at the bar

Off-site Option: 6:30pm Dinner at The Golden Stag in Manistee

✨ Sunday, May 10 ✨

8 am: Higher Grounds Coffee at The Bar

9 am: Bubbie’s Bagel Breakfast at The Bar

10 am: Linocut Stamp & Fabric Printmaking - Heather - Whatever We Want

1 pm: Check out

✨

Higher Grounds Coffee Bar throughout the weekend

FAQS

What clothes should I pack?

Whatever makes you feel like you!
Cozy Clothes: For maximum comfort during workshops and lounge time. We love to have slippers!
Warm Layers: For our guided nature walk
Casual/regular Clothes: For optional off-site meals.

What about meals that aren’t included?

Saturday Breakfast: Lakeside Cafe is located just 2 blocks from the motel. We love them!
Saturday Night Dinner: We will be reserving a table at The Golden Stag in Manistee. Let us know if you want to join.

Do I need to bring any supplies?

Nope. We’ll have everything for all projects and mediums. You are welcome to bring any supplies or individual projects from home as well.

Is participation required?

Nope. Join all activities or cuddle up in your room with a solo project. Participation is whatever you want. It’s a weekend for you.

Can I bring my own food?

Yep. Each room has a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee pot.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

We're so excited to welcome everyone!

Motel Bear Lake

A queer-owned, woman-powered, retro-modern motel for ‎️‍🌈 all Humans & Pets🦴 in sleepy Northern Michigan.

Think renovated Schitt's Creek.

All are welcome.

Our Partners

Instructors

Brooke

Broken Glass Co

Queer artist living in Northern Michigan. They’re known for using traditional stained glass methods to create whimsical works of art. They began their glass journey while teaching high school art, and a coworker handed down all their tools and supplies. From there, Broken Glass Co. was created.

Mosaic Tiled Trays

Laurie

Light & Power

Born and raised in Northern Michigan, Laurie's mission in life is to help people have a better experience: to ease their suffering, to bring alignment and comfort, and create opportunities for connection and building community.

She is a lifelong musician, an intuitive tarot and oracle reader, sound healer, level 1 Reiki practitioner, and a hospitality and event planning powerhouse.

Crystal Bowl Sound Bath

Heather

Whatever We Want Crafts

Traverse City-based relief printmaker and sometimes other things.

Linocut Stamp & Fabric Printmaking & Botanical Embroidery

Behind the Scenes

Marta

Motel Bear Lake

Marta is the owner of Motel Bear Lake, a founder of Up North Pride, and a fierce advocate for the Great Lake.

She and her woman-power team will be taking care of all the behind-the-scenes details and hospitality during the retreat.

Marissa

Marissa Dillon Photography

Marissa Dillon is a documentary-style photographer who focuses on capturing authentic, "un-curated" moments and the genuine connection between people. She emphasizes a collaborative approach, aiming to make her subjects feel seen and celebrated for their true, "messy" selves rather than following a rigid formula.

Visual documentation