RETREATS + WORKSHOPS
PAINTING IN SOUTH INDIA
January 10th - 20th 2026
Join me and Creative Arts Safaris as we weave our way around the backwaters of Kerala, the alleyways of Kochi, the hill stations of Munnar and the beaches of the Arabian Sea.
Packed full of painting and excursions to the tea plantations and spice gardens, stunning areas to inspire and dream about. A day cruise through the tranquil waterways where we will paint and unwind.
A paper making workshop where we will play with Indigo and make paper to paint on.
Delight in the sweetness and exotic nature of beautiful Southern India with me.
PAINTING BY THE SEA
Carolyn Gavin and Helen Dardik are finally bringing their team teaching efforts to the UK! Join them for this luxurious week-long painting retreat in a gorgeous seaside English Manor.
October 6 - 13
Devon, United Kingdom
TORONTO IN BLOOMING WATERCOLOURS
Carolyn joins forces with Helen Dardik for this exclusive two-day painting course in the bustling urban heart of Canada!
November 30 and December 1 2024
Toronto, Canada
SOLD OUT
PAINTING IN PUGLIA
Tuesday April 1st - Tuesday April 8th, 2025
SOLD OUT
Join me this Spring for an incredible painting retreat in beautiful Puglia, Italy.
We will be staying at the dreamy Masseria Specula. A unique property gently nestled into the land, surrounded by farms and the exquisite Ionian Sea.
A perfectly placed 16th century stone farmhouse that has been renovated into a modern boutique villa. Mindful of the environment, clean energy and land conservation.
NOTE: THIS RETREAT IS VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN.
7 nights, 6 days and 5 days of painting + 2 excursions and 1 pasta making workshop.
Puglia, Italy
PAINTING IN OAXACA
SOLD OUT
Join me this September for an incredible painting retreat in beautiful Oaxaca City, Mexico.
Exploring the beauty, colour and vibrancy of Zapotec culture, we will be staying in a 5 star Michelin hotel. Start your day with a delicious local breakfast and end with chef prepared dinners. Lunches are out on the town soaking in the exotic Oaxacan vibrancy. A visit to the Botanical gardens is a must and our big adventure will be visiting the Hierve El Agua pools, a red pottery workshop and a family of traditional weavers.
7 nights, 6 days and 5 days of painting.
Wednesday September 25th - Wednesday October 2nd 2024
Oaxaca City, Mexico
VIETNAM - ART FOOD CULTURE
SOLD OUT
Join me and Anna Barnes of Art Food Culture, in Hoi An, Vietnam for an unforgettable getaway. Ten days of painting, exploring and eating in an exquisite villa on the water. Local food, sketching, cooking classes and yoga. With Market Tours and family home visits, immerse yourself in the local culture for an experiential and sensory experience of a lifetime.
FEB 13th - 22nd, 2024
Hoi An, Vietnam
WINDOWSILL WORKSHOP DOWNLOAD
Join me and host Margo Tantau for a 21/2 hour paint and demo session. We’ll be doing the basics of abstract painting, loosening up and playing with paint, colour, texture and line. We’ll then let it all go and cut it up into your favourite decorative shapes. I love birds, butterflies, flowers and big haired babes.
PAINTING BELIZE
SOLD OUT
Escape the winter and head to tropical and lush Belize for a week of painting and adventure with Carolyn Gavin and guest instructor Helen Dardik.
Saturday Feb 25th - Saturday March 4th 2023
Maya Beach, Belize
PAINTING IN SOUTHERN SPAIN
SOLD OUT
September 16th - 23rd 2022
Join Carolyn Gavin and Helen Dardik for a week of painting in the sunny Andalusia. Receive expert tuition focusing on a variety of styles, techniques, mediums, and subject matter, enjoy a stunning, eco-friendly 33-acre private estate, draw your inspiration from the magnificent Granada and whitewashed villages on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and indulge in homemade exclusively vegetarian organic meals.
WAKE UP AND PAINT IN TORONTO
SOLD OUT
Join Helen Dardik and Carolyn Gavin in this workshop as they brighten the dark days of December by sharing their techniques for vibrant colours and bold compositions.
Saturday December 4, 2021
Toronto, Canada
CHATEAU DUMAS
SOLD OUT
Join Carolyn Gavin and Helen Dardik for a week of painting in the south of France. We will stay at an authentic chateau, enjoy a stunning 22-acre private estate, draw our inspiration from quintessentially French medieval villages, and indulge in the exquisite local cuisine.
September 14 - 21, 2021
Occitanie, France
PAINTING TORONTO
SOLD OUT
Saturday September 14th 2019
Join Helen Dardik and Carolyn Gavin for a day of floral painting in Canada’s most vibrant and multicultural city. Saturday 14th of September 2019. 10am - 4.30pm.
1297 Gerrard St. E, Toronto, Ontario. M4M 1Y8
PAINTING MARRAKECH
SOLD OUT
November 9th - 15th 2019
Pack your bags, paints and brushes and spend 7 days, 6 nights painting, learning and exploring with Helen Dardik and Carolyn Gavin. Peacock Pavilions Boutique Hotel will be our home exclusively for a week, and will fill your senses with colour, warmth and pattern. Our days will be packed full of visual and sensory experiences to leave you with a lifetime of memories and inspiration.