Floral Solstice: A Retreat in Floral Design and Mandala-Making 

Immerse yourself in the ephemeral art of floral design and floral mandala-making amid the breathtaking landscapes of historic Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico – the desert haven where Georgia O’Keeffe lived and worked. Using an abundance of fresh blooms, we’ll first explore the art of floral arranging with Elizabeth Cronin, then come together to co-create a large-scale floral mandala guided by floral artist Preeti Samraj.

During this retreat, you’ll learn how to process flowers, craft unique arrangements, make a large scale floral installation and participate in the ancient, meditative art of mandala-making.

Between sessions, enjoy ample time to experience the beauty of the region — join a 90-minute guided horseback tour, visit Lake Abiquiu, Echo Amphitheater, take a tour of Georgia O’Keeffe's home , hike the sandstone cliffs, or simply rest under vast desert skies.

Create, connect, and celebrate the Summer Solstice in this land of enchantment.

*Check in is at 4pm

*you will be greeted & shown to your room.

*wander the property or take a stroll to the heart maze

*At 6:30 we will eat a delicious dinner

*Spend the evening getting to know one another or stargazing, the night sky here is otherworldly.

After a delicious breakfast Elizabeth will teach the basics of processing flowers to get them ready to design with.

Early afternoon will have plenty of free time for exploring, rock & crystal collecting, a hike or a nap. 

The second floral session of the day will focus on how to make a gorgeous arrangement in a ceramic vessel learning how to create the mechanics that will help you succeed every time.

The evening will wrap with a beautiful meal and time to play cards, take a hike or just sit & stare at the stars.

After a beautiful breakfast together we will head to the stables for a 90 minute guided horseback tour of Ghost Ranch, we will learn all about this special place and why Georgia O'Keefe chose it as her home and source of inspiration. 

In the afternoon, Elizabeth will lead us in a group floral installation against the incredible backdrop of Cerro Pedernal Mountain. We will work as a team to create an installation that could be used for a wedding, a special party or in a maternity shoot for a pregnant donkey (yes, this really happened with last year's project)

After dinner you can take an evening hike, stargaze or visit with new friends.

This day will revolve around deinstalling the floral piece and preparing ourselves and the petals for the Mandala Making.

We will carefully remove all the blooms from yesterdays creation and Preeti will guide us in how to sort and preserve them for tomorrow. As always, there will be delicious meals and plenty of free time for hiking, relaxing and museum going.

After breakfast Preeti will lead us in a mindful movement class designed to prepare the body and mind for mandala making. Because this creative process involves working on the floor, there will be a focus on hip and back stretches as well as supportive body mechanics. Guided by her experience as a physical therapist, Preeti will lead participants through slow, full-body movements, breath awareness, and visualization—cultivating awareness, balance, and presence. 

After lunch we will move to the Yurt across Ghost Ranch where, guided by Preeti, you’ll explore the rhythm and flow of creating a collaborative floor-based floral mandala, discovering the beauty in symmetry, balance, and impermanence. This hands-on workshop is both a creative and contemplative practice—an opportunity to slow down, connect with the natural world, and celebrate our collective creativity.

We’ll use our processed flowers from the previous day to construct our mandala. After the mandala is complete, we’ll pause for dinner and return at sundown to light candles, celebrate the upcoming summer solstice and reflect together on the process and the beauty of our creation.

Today we will find an ideal place to release our petals back to the earth. We can do this together atop Chimney Rock or you can explore to find your own favorite place to do this.

Day 6 comes with much free time for resting, really exploring the landscape and the surrounding areas like Lake Abiquiu. This would also be an ideal day to visit the Museums that are free to you with this retreat on Ghost Ranch Property OR book Elizabeth's favorite tour of Georgia Okeefe's stunning Home in Abiquiu, it is not to be missed.

Have one last breakfast together, say farewell to our friends and make plans to see one another next year!!

We need to be out of Ghost Ranch by 10 am so plan your travel and flights accordingly.