REIGNITE at the Brown County Barn Burner
A Women’s Art, Creativity, & Wellness Retreat
For women seeking a chance to unplug and explore their creativity, this exclusive retreat offers the perfect blend of freedom, inspiration, and relaxation. Attendees will have the opportunity to play, experiment, and rediscover the joy of creating, all while surrounded by the natural beauty of Brown County, Indiana, and in the company of like-minded women.
This unique, intimate retreat is for anyone who enjoys exploring creativity in all its forms and is searching for inspiration and the chance to try something new. The memories made and skills practiced during this three-night retreat will stick with you long past your time in Brown County.
So, secure your spot today, pack your bags, and let us handle the rest. We can’t wait to welcome you!
BOOKING NOW for SUMMER 2024
The REIGNITE Women’s Art & Creative Retreat will be held June 2-5, 2024 in the one-of-a-kind spaces of the Brown County Barn Burner, located in the heart of downtown Nashville, Indiana.
Participants in the REIGNITE Women’s Art & Creative Retreat will enjoy an incredible schedule of activities, including a variety of creative workshops on everything from fine art floristry, to the magic of more purposeful photography, exploring color and composition through multiple artistic mediums, and more.
Sign up now and get ready for an unforgettable experience in the charming town of Nashville, Indiana! During the retreat you’ll be surrounded by the natural beauty of Brown County while experiencing the upscale comfort of the Barn Burner, enjoying delicious meals from local chefs, and forming meaningful bonds and lasting connections with fellow creatives.
who is this Retreat for?
For any woman with a desire to revive her creativity and find new sparks of inspiration.
For the busy female professional or creative entrepreneur caught in the cycle of doing only what's necessary, who’s ready to break free and rediscover the joy of creating without a specific end goal.
For friends who are eager to step out of their comfort zones and celebrate creativity in all its forms.
For sisters, mothers, and daughters - anyone - who wants to experience the magic of creating together in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Whether you’re a professional seeking a break from the routine, a hobbyist looking to explore new mediums or someone who simply desires the freedom to experiment and uncover new facets of your creativity in a supportive and inspiring environment, this retreat is for you.
At the REIGNITE Women’s Art & Creative Retreat you’ll be in the company of like-minded women and given the space and time to reconnect with your inner artist, to play with new ideas and mediums, and ultimately find inspiration in the beauty of Brown County.
Where will the retreat be held?
Brown County, Indiana is located about an hour south of Indianapolis and is a region celebrated as one of America's original art colonies. With its rolling hills, lush forests, and charming small-town ambiance, the area has deep artistic roots and has been a source of inspiration for artists and creatives since the late 1800s.
The REIGNITE Women’s Art & Creative Retreat will be hosted at the Brown County Barn Burner, a unique Airbnb that blends rustic charm with modern amenities in the heart of Nashville, Indiana. This beautifully designed space provides the perfect setting to support both creativity and relaxation.
The combination of the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Brown County with the one-of-a-kind nature of the Barn Burner makes the perfect setting for this retreat and will serve as an ideal backdrop for creative exploration.
what Can You Expect At The Retreat?
Imagine an adult summer camp with a luxurious twist, focused on creativity, connection, wellness, and immersion in the natural beauty and vibrant culture of Brown County, Indiana. Participants will enjoy:
A carefully curated schedule of creative workshops (see the full itinerary HERE) led by talented artists and instructors. This includes “An Introduction to Fine Art Floristry” led by Robyn Harder of RK Florals, “A Roll of Digital” led by Emily Layne of Ivan & Louise, an exploration of color and composition through multiple artistic mediums led by local artist Kurt Eagleman, and more.
Yoga and paddleboard sessions, along with other wellness offerings
Delicious food from local chefs, plus the fantastic company of other attendees
Opportunities to explore the charming town of Nashville and the natural beauty of Brown County
The REIGNITE Women’s Art & Creative Retreat is a luxury retreat for the creative soul, and the experience focuses on reigniting creativity, fostering community, and providing a space for artistic exploration and personal growth…all from the comfort and luxury of the Brown County Barn Burner.
The weather in Brown County in early June is ideal - warm enough to enjoy the outdoors, without being too hot, but still cooler in the evenings to enjoy time on the rooftop patio at the Barn Burner around the fire. Whether you're looking to deepen your artistic practice or simply to indulge in a luxurious creative escape, this retreat promises a transformative experience.
mORE ABOUT OUR AMAZING pARTNERS & iNSTRUCTORS
To say that I’m excited about the instructors, artists, and other businesses participating in this retreat would be an understatement.
I’ve been lucky enough to know most of them for years - some in person, and others just through the magic of social media - but I admire and respect all of them and their caliber of work. You might even say my main motivation in planning this retreat is to get all of them together in Brown County so that I can learn from them myself! Now I just need to convince people to sign up and join to make it a reality ;-) Here are more details about each of them, in case you need further convincing:
-
Emily Layne
IVAN & LOUISE
Emily uses her passion for film and photography to help her clients savor and remember their lives, no matter what stage they’re in. She’s inspired by making the tiny moments magical - especially the joyful wonder of childhood, the simple rhythms of every day, and the challenging journey of parenthood. She strives to create images that are quiet, tender, and wildly joyful…images that help her clients see themselves and their families in a clear and beautiful way.
At the retreat, Emily will teach the group more about photography and composition, and we’ll practice capturing more present and purposeful imagery through her refreshing “Roll of Digital” framework.
-
Robyn K. Harder
RK FLORALS
Robyn refers to her work as “fine art floristry” and it’s easy to see why. Her floral designs showcase the true beauty, movement, and texture of each bloom and her compositions are carefully crafted and reminiscent of Dutch still-life paintings.
At the retreat, Robyn will teach the group about “The Fundamentals of Fine Art Floristry,” and each participant will create a floral arrangement that honors the colors and natural movement of the flowers, combined with the precise placement of stems, to create a true work of art. We’ll also have the opportunity to capture still-life photos of our floral creations so that they live on forever.
-
Kurt Eagleman
BROWN COUNTY ARTIST
Kurt enjoys the process of learning, experimentation, and discovery by incorporating a mixture of interpretive and abstract styles, and often plays with different mediums. His work conveys beauty and happiness, with a juvenile sense of fun and playfulness in the form of vignettes painted from his personal experiences with nature, travel, and human interaction. If you’ve explored the town of Nashville recently, you probably noticed several new murals, which were all painted by Kurt!
At the retreat, Kurt will lead the group in various activities to explore color, composition, and artistic expression through several different mediums.
-
Erica Weddle
SIMPLY FITNESS
Erica has had a lifelong commitment to health and wellness and developed a love for the outdoors at an early age. She’s a certified personal trainer and paddleboard instructor with a holistic approach to fitness and wellness.
At the retreat, Erica will lead participants in an introductory paddleboarding session at Lake Yellowwood. Paddle boarding is a fun and pleasantly challenging way to increase your recreational activity and commune with nature. Any fitness level can enjoy paddle boarding.
-
Catie & Lindy
SWINE & DINE EVENTS
Catie & Lindy are a mother-daughter duo and the phenomenal pair behind Swine & Dine Events in Columbus, IN. Catie is the wine and spirits aficionado and is always ready to surprise and delight with her innovative picks and pairings. Lindy is a self-titled foodie and the source of all the fantastic foods and “nibbles” Swine & Dine provides for their events.
At the retreat, the Swine & Dine Events team will lead a wine-tasting & pairing experience on the first night, as well as providing a delicious dinner to follow. We’ve partnered with Catie & Lindy before for an event at the Barn Burner - although it was a while ago - and I enjoyed it so much that I’ve been scheming to bring them back ever since.
-
Sam & Josh
BONAFIDE BITES CATERING
Sam Herrin and Josh Anderson are two friends, lifelong hospitality professionals, and now the chef-owner/operators of BonafideBites, a boutique catering company located in Brown County. They both have a passion for food and can always be counted on to custom-craft the perfect menu for your event.
At the retreat, the BonafideBites team will provide a summer-inspired dinner one night, as well as some of the daily breakfast items. We’ve partnered with Sam & Josh for past events at the Barn Burner and they knock it out of the park every time.
Pricing & Logistics
Pricing for the REIGNITE Women’s Art & Creative Retreat includes 3-nights of lodging, all meals (dinner Sunday night through breakfast Wednesday morning), instructors and materials for all scheduled activities, and transportation as needed within Brown County. You can see more details on everything that’s included HERE.
One attendee in a private room is $1,750 for the three-night retreat. There are four single-occupancy rooms available.
A pair of friends, sisters, or a mom and daughter sharing a room is $1,500 per person for the retreat. There are five double-occupancy rooms available.
A $250 discount will be given on all bookings that are made and paid in full before April 19, 2024.
Payment plans are available. Payment for a single-occupancy room may be split into two payments of $925. Payment for a double-occupancy room may be split into two payments of $800. Inquire about the payment schedule.
All bookings are final and not refundable. However, if you're unable to attend, you may transfer your reservation to another person.**
Participants will need to arrange their own travel to Nashville, Indiana. Driving is the best way to get here and there is plenty of free parking available near the Brown County Barn Burner. If you need to fly, then your best option is the Indianapolis Airport (IND - 1 hour away) or the Louisville Airport (SDF - 1.5 hours away). Assistance with coordinating transportation from the airport can be provided if needed.
Once you arrive in Nashville, you won't have to worry about a thing for the duration of the retreat. Transportation within Brown County, all activities and materials, and all meals are included in the cost of the retreat.
Past Guest & Event Participant Reviews
This is my first year hosting the REIGNITE Women’s Art & Creative Retreat, so unfortunately I can’t share reviews and testimonials for this specific event. Luckily we’ve hosted many happy guests at the Brown County Barn Burner over the last 3.5 years, along with hosting several smaller events, and I’m happy to share some feedback from those guests and participants.
I've attended several events hosted by Kara and always walk away from them feeling so happy and fulfilled. She creates an environment where a group of people who don't all know each other can hang out for hours, enjoy each other's company, and be creative at the same time. The most valuable part of the events she hosts is connecting with new people beyond basic small talk. I would absolutely recommend an experience planned by Kara. Her venue, the Barn Burner, is so beautiful that it's inspiring just to stay there. When you add all the creative activities she thinks up, tasty food, and interesting people she brings together, it's a dream!
— Amy N, Event Attendee
We had a girls’ weekend and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The location is in the heart of Nashville, and Kara goes above and beyond to provide everything you might need, from directions to toiletries to kitchen appliances, glasses, etc. The shared rooftop patio is very nice, and we made new friends with the others sharing the space. (The rooms were quiet even with the shared roof space). It’s a great, walkable location. I highly recommend you read Kara’s emails for more tips on making your way around Nashville. She helps make it a lovely experience!
— Ashley E, Barn Burner Guest
Our first visit to the Barn Burner for a holiday workshop was unforgettable. We were greeted immediately with a warm welcome from Kara, the owner, and the venue was so cozy and beautiful! The holiday workshop offered several different stations of creative activities, from evergreen floral arrangements to cookie decorating and more, all while enjoying holiday treats. It was such a memorable experience for both me and my daughter. We loved it so much that we returned for a ‘Canvas, Cocktail, and Holiday Cheer’ event last year and had another amazing evening. I highly recommend the Barn Burner for creating lasting memories!
— Angie H, Event Attendee
Sweetest space! My girlfriends and I stayed for a little weekend getaway, and we loved everything about it! The communication was great between the owners when I had a few minor questions about our stay, they even were so helpful with making a few extra accommodations. They literally thought of everything to make the stay so easy. This place was perfect! It is centrally located to be walking distance from just about anything you would want to do and we even received an email/blog/newsletter with several suggestions - many of which we checked out and didn't disappoint! All of us had the best time and have plans to make this an annual thing!
— Jessica D, Barn Burner Guest
I participated in a wine/candy pairing with a ghost painting event hosted by Kara, and it was one of the most enjoyable events I have attended in a while. It sparked new creative ideas and provided a laid-back, community-driven atmosphere for collaboration. I appreciated the chance to learn and create with others, and Kara's talent for organizing engaging and accessible activities keeps me coming back for more events.
— Andrea H, Event Attendee
This was exactly what we had in mind when we thought to book a girl’s trip to Brown County. Our stay was everything we wanted and more — so much so, that we are planning to return once a year at minimum for a stay at the Barn Burner. Kara is super responsive and instructions on checking in and out are very clear. The place is cozy and feels like HOME. The bathrooms and kitchen were completely stocked. We greatly enjoyed staying here!
—Taylor D, Barn Burner Guest
Want to read more? Feel free to check out more reviews of the Barn Burner on Google, Facebook, Airbnb, or Vrbo. Serving our guests well and ensuring an exceptional experience is what we pride ourselves on, and I’m excited to extend that level of care and hospitality to our retreat participants.
Additional questions, answered
What’s Included?
Pretty much everything!
3 nights accommodation at a luxury Airbnb with 170+ 5-star reviews
Transportation as needed while in Brown County on the retreat
A delicious breakfast spread each morning, Monday through Wednesday. Breakfast items may include local pastries, fruit, yogurt, coffee & tea, eggs, etc (in the case of things like eggs, some cooking or preparation by participants may be required).
Catered or picnic-style lunch options will be provided on Monday and Tuesday
Incredible dining experiences each evening (Sunday through Tuesday). This may include anything from private chefs to multi-course meals, to dinners at local restaurants, or other options, depending on the exact itinerary.
Wellness offerings include yoga, paddle boarding, and more.
Creative workshops each morning and afternoon led by exceptional instructors with all supplies provided, plus additional opportunities and supplies for more self-guided work. Here’s a sampling of the amazing instructors that are already lined up, with more details to come! You can read more about each of them and their style of work above in the “About Our Amazing Partners & Instructors” section.
Explore the town for “A Roll of Digital” with Emily Layne of Ivan & Louise. Check out Emily’s website and Instagram account to see more of her work.
Learn about “The Fundamentals of Fine Art Floristry” with Robyn Harder of RK Florals. Check out Robyn’s website, Instagram account, or Facebook page to see more of her work.
Experiment with color, composition, and different artistic mediums with local artist Kurt Eagleman. Check out Kurt’s website and Instagram account to see more of his work.
*Programming is subject to change slightly based on the discretion of the host, weather, and instructor availability.
What’s Not Included?
Travel to and from Nashville, Indiana
Additional alcohol outside of the wine tasting will occur during dinner on the first night
Any shopping you choose to do
Tips and gratuities
Travel insurance, if desired
Itinerary
-
Guests may arrive at the Brown County Barn Burner any time between 3-5 pm. Settle into your room, get acquainted with the space, and maybe try to unwind with one of the provided art or craft kits.
We’ll officially kick off the retreat around 6 pm on the rooftop patio with a wine-tasting and pairing discussion led by our friends at Swine & Dine Events. Together we’ll explore the world of wine and simple wine-based cocktails while enjoying a communal tapas board, followed by a delicious, summer-inspired dinner also prepared by the team at Swine & Dine.
We’ll have time to discuss the full itinerary and set intentions for the retreat, get to know one another, and spend the rest of the evening unwinding together and enjoying the rooftop patio and fire table.
-
Each morning an assortment of breakfast items will be provided for participants to choose from and prepare for themselves. This will include a variety of items, such as local pastries, fruit, yogurt, eggs, juice, coffee & tea, etc. Attendees may also choose to participate in a morning yoga session to start the day, which will be held either on the rooftop patio or the Event Space, depending on the weather.
After yoga on Monday, we’ll be joined by Emily Layne of Ivan & Louise to lead a discussion about photography, composition, and her process of “A Roll of Digital.” We’ll practice capturing more present and purposeful imagery while taking photos of the town of Nashville and one another.
After a catered lunch, we’ll be joined by Robyn Harder of RK Florals to explore “The Fundamentals of Fine Art Floristry.” Robyn will lead us in a step-by-step demonstration and explain key elements of fine art floral design, like color theory, the life stage of flowers, working with the natural movement of stems, and more. Participants will use these concepts to create a fine art floral arrangement and will have the opportunity to capture still-life-inspired photos of their floral creations to live on forever.
We will end the day by walking to dinner at a lovely restaurant in town, with more time to connect with one another and further reflect on the day’s workshops.
-
After breakfast and yoga on Tuesday, we’ll spend the morning exploring color and composition through several different mediums with local artist Kurt Eagleman. We’ll enjoy a quick lunch at the Barn Burner before traveling to Lake Yellowwood for the afternoon. There, we will split into several smaller groups and will rotate through opportunities for additional artistic exploration with Kurt, as well as participating in an introductory paddleboarding lesson with Erica Weddle of Simply Fitness. A magical dinner provided by BonafideBites Catering will be served al fresco, either at Lake Yellowwood or back on the rooftop patio at the Barn Burner.
-
The final day offers the usual breakfast spread and yoga class, as well as some optional wellness add-ons. Check-out from the lodging units is at 11 am, but participants are welcome to linger in the Event Space and continue their creative exploration with any of the provided craft kits and materials. Or take some time to explore Nashville and check out the work of many local artists and artisans featured in shops throughout town (hopefully with a new appreciation for the creative energy that went into making all of these items!).
*Itinerary is not final. Subject to change per host's discretion and instructor/provider availability. Additional programming may be offered depending on the final number of attendees. A full itinerary will be provided to participants a few weeks in advance of the retreat.
**All bookings for the Summer Camp for Creatives are final and non-refundable. However, if you're unable to attend, you may transfer your reservation to another person. Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to make a change. We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, so we encourage you to consider travel insurance to protect your investment in case of any unexpected events.
