A Sketchbook Art Retreat:
Island Scenes and Memories
Join visual artist and instructor, Laura Raborn, for a 4-day retreat filled with art making, culinary delights, and stunning natural beauty.
Monday, February 23 - Thursday, February 26th, 2026, Harbour Island, Bahamas
Many of us yearn for time away from our daily routine in a beautiful, serene place. By adding the component of art-making, we can amplify the restorative power of being in a place away from home.
Looking closely with wonder has the power to relieve many of our stresses. It takes us out of our repetitive thoughts, the hamster wheel routine, and the pressure to be something. This sketchbook retreat provides participants with an escape that is as engaging and nourishing as it is relaxing.
Laura’s 48 years of visiting Harbour Island, plus 12 years of designing and leading art workshops puts you in good hands - with exclusive opportunities, hidden sights and views, transformative art lessons for all levels, and plenty of Harbour Island resource material you will receive upon registration. The retreat includes:
Welcome sunset mocktail/cocktail gathering the evening before our first day
A daily guided 3-hour morning excursion with art sessions (for 4 days)
All art supplies and a sketchbook journal
A daily delicious Bahamian group lunch (for 4 days)
A celebratory final evening mocktail/cocktail party at the island’s beloved Princess Street Gallery
BONUS: Harbour Island travel resource packet developed exclusively for our retreat group!
About your Sketchbook Guide
Laura Raborn
Laura is a visual artist based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her work focuses on looking closely at people and places with a sense of wonder, and acknowledgement that everything we see is only one fraction of the whole story. Harbour Island has inspired Laura’s own art making for almost her entire life. She is represented by Justus Fine Art in Arkansas and by Princess Street Gallery on Harbour Island.
Laura’s teaching experience focuses on reaching all levels - from seasoned pros to brand new creators. Her approach is based on the belief that all people are able to make beautiful art with encouragement, confidence and specific tips and tricks.
"Sketching can have a purpose beyond art, it can be a tool to help us understand our surroundings and appreciate small things we might have missed our entire lives. Once you develop a sketching practice, and therefore a practice of looking closely, it is miraculous how it becomes a tool to help with mood, coping during difficult times, and developing a sense of wonder.” -Laura
Who is the Retreat for?
This is a drawing and painting retreat for all levels of creatives. The group will be small and we welcome those who enjoy meeting people, experiencing new places, and broadening perspectives and skills. If you are looking for an uplifting and enjoyable experience learning about how we see our environments and how to turn that vision into beautiful art, sign up today! This retreat is for those who want to:
Travel in a creative way, seeing a beautiful place through an artistic lens
Learn new techniques where the inner critic does not block your efforts and enjoyment
Travel with a friend or alone, and make new friendships during the art outings
Enjoy a balance of structured time - where someone has taken care of the locations and a daily meal for you - and free time where you get to explore and rest at your leisure
Activity level: Moderate For three hours each morning, we will be walking (sometimes in sand), using stairs, sitting, and standing - afternoons are free! Golf cart rentals are recommended and a list of options will be shared in the resources provided upon registration.
Testimonials:
“I would most certainly recommend the class to a friend. I loved it. So many important lessons! You’re an encouraging and patient teacher, offering critical tips and advice to a novice or experienced artist. Your voice and manner are so pleasant and calming, and your enthusiasm is palpable. I loved every second.” -Alex
“Oh Laura, I could not have enjoyed your workshop more. It was literally an eye opener for me. I keep looking at the trees with “new” eyes. You are a wonderful teacher. I am so grateful to you for bringing us to such a special spot to learn about painting. Please keep me on your mailing list!! I’d love to receive your quarterly newsletter.” -Ann
Welcome to Harbour Island
”Home of the Friendliest People,” in the beautiful Bahamas
Welcome to beautiful Harbour Island in the Bahamas, a magical place now known for pink sands, crystal clear waters, and friendly people.
Harbour Island was settled by British Puritan settlers, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, in the mid-17th century, and was once one of the most prominent settlements and unofficial capital of the Bahamas. The island became a hub for shipbuilding and sugar refining in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the town of Dunmore, named after Lord Dunmore, was established as a center of commerce. The island's strategic importance and connection to the American colonies also made it a temporary outpost for pirates for a period.
Interested in learning more about Harbour Island? Click here for an informative resource.
Specifics:
Each day will begin with a three hour tour and art making followed by a delicious lunch. We will use our lunch time to discuss the morning adventures, demonstrate techniques, answer art-making questions and simply enjoy a delicious meal together in a beautiful place. Students are free to roam, nap, swim, snorkel, read in a hammock, meditate, and celebrate in the late afternoons and evenings (though we might add one evening meet-up on a local dance floor for those interested!).
Shortly after registering, participants receive a Harbour Island travel resource packet created just for this retreat:
Laura’s packing list
Travel to Harbour Island tips
Golf Cart Rental resource list
Island activities and contacts
List of restaurants (from casual to fine dining)
Best places for coffee
List of shops and markets
Emergency information
List of house rental resources
List of hotels (from locally owned motels to upscale resorts)
These resources alone are an absolute treasure for planning a dream trip to beautiful Harbour Island!
You will leave the workshop with a sketchbook that serves many purposes: to remind you of the experiences and scenes you enjoyed during your travels, to serve as a guidebook filed with drawing and painting tips, and to serve as a reminder of how looking at the world through the lens of an artist enhances everything we see and experience. This creative exploration will carry your work forward whether you are new to the arts or a seasoned artist. Oh the joy!
Daily Schedule:
9:30 Meet-up for our sketchbook outing
1:00 Group lunch, Q&A, and discussion about the morning
2:45 Free time each afternoon and evening
Additions to the above daily schedule:
Sunday, Feb. 22: Welcome sunset cocktail and introductions
Mid-week night out of dancing (optional for anyone interested)
Thursday, Feb. 26: 5:30-7:00 pm Final gathering cocktail reception at Princess Street Gallery
NOTE: If we encounter conditions that are not suitable for drawing outside, alternative locations that are undercover are already arranged!
One option for hitting the dance floor!
More about the art making
The workshop includes a variety of drawing and painting exercises. We’ll begin with loose gestural sketches to see basic shapes, colors, and values inspired by the island’s beauty. Prompts at the start of each class will guide quick notes and thumbnail sketches, which we’ll then develop with water-based pigment in our sketchbooks—building skills while documenting each day’s experiences.
Through demonstrations, guided lessons, walks, and group discussions, we’ll explore diverse techniques and materials to fill our travel sketchbooks. Each day ends with a lively lunch, after which students are free to nap, explore, snorkel, swim, read—whatever your heart desires!
Some of the materials we will use (included in the fee) are: professional grade ink pens and graphite pencils, paint brushes, water-soluble color pencils, paint sticks, high quality mixed media journals Students bring: your phone to take pics during our art outings, sunscreen, hat, comfy shoes, water bottle, tote or any type of bag
Registration is Open!
*
Registration is Open! *
Please read the “fine print” below before clicking registration button so you have a clear understanding of all retreat details and policies!
The retreat includes:
Welcome sunset mocktail/cocktail and introductions the evening before our first day
A daily guided morning 3-hour excursion and art sessions
All art supplies and a sketchbook journal
A daily delicious Bahamian group lunch
A celebratory final evening mocktail/cocktail party at the island’s beloved Princess Street Gallery
BONUS: Harbour Island travel resource packet developed exclusively for our retreat group!
Not included: airfare, accommodations and meals outside our daily lunches
Note: The payment structure allows you to pay for the retreat in 2 installments: a non-refundable $750 hold deposit at time of registration and a balance due on Dec. 31, 2025. You will receive the final invoice in mid December.
** Please read the cancellation policy below prior to signing up. ** By registering for this retreat, you agree that you have have read the payment and cancellation policies.
Click here to contact Laura to answer your questions and determine if this retreat is the right fit for you.
Early Bird Discount and Bonus!
$1695 early bird special (Ends on Nov. 1, 2025)
$1895 regular price (starting November 2, 2025)
$750 Non-refundable deposit to secure your spot due upon registration
Balance invoice will be emailed on Dec. 15st - due by Dec. 31st, 2025
Grab the early bird special which breaks down to $423 per day, a great value for a superb experience.
Quick! First two people to register will receive the instructor demo piece of their choice at the end of the retreat!
Getting to Harbour Island
Upon registration, you will receive a packet with detailed instructions about travel. In summary, getting to Harbour Island requires a couple of steps involving air travel followed by a boat taxi. Delta and American are the airlines with convenient flights through Atlanta or Miami to North Eleuthera (though there are other options that include flying from Nassau to North Eleuthera) .
Insurance and Documentation
Travel and health insurance are recommended. Participants are responsible for their individual travel and health insurance needs and plans. Please read about restrictions and documentation requirements (i.e. passports) at home and abroad. Ensure you have everything you need so you aren’t turned away from border crossings or airports.
Payment and cancellation policy
By registering, you are agreeing to the following cancellation policy: Cancellations made at least 45 days prior to the retreat start date result in a 50% refund of the total enrollment fee. Cancellations made 45 days or less of the retreat start date are non-refundable. Exceptions to this cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including personal emergencies. There is no refund for leaving a program early or arriving late. There are no refunds for any part of the program that you choose to opt out of.
NOTE: If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to someone else for the same workshop you signed up for. Credit can not be given for future workshops. If you find a substitute, please email Laura with the person’s name, address, email and phone number.
Please consider travel insurance to protect yourself against changes in your circumstances. If the retreat must be cancelled for some reason, the full deposit and payment will be refunded.
Please know that we do not aim to profit off of someone’s cancellation. With a small group, the fee structure is dependent on a certain number of participants attending therefore, we must adhere to the above described cancellation policy in order to run the program.
Read over everything and have questions? Email Laura here.
