Creative minds will unite for a weekend spring retreat on Paget Island.

Taking place from March 21 to 23, Chewstick is encouraging artists to come together to connect, learn and have fun while enjoying the natural beauty of the Island.

The Chewstick Foundation has been offering these retreats for four years — and on this occasion they will be collaborating with the Department of Youth, Sport & Recreation in order to paint a mural on Paget Island.

Organiser Deidra-Lee Bean said the mural would depict “a significant event, person or group and will be left to enhance the beauty of Paget Island and start conversations on its history”.

She said it was a “tremendous honour” for them to be invited to organise the first Paget Island mural; and admitted it would be a great chance for participants to “leave their mark”.

Ms Bean continued: “Past participants have been able to experience the insight of select international guests, make lifelong friends, learn new skills and create various artefacts through participant-led workshops that range from still life drawing, and African Mask making, to financial planning and song writing, salsa dance and more.

“While participants on the 2014 Spring Retreat will be able to leave a beautiful mural that will not only affect the immediate attendees, but inspire future groups that visit to Paget Island.”

Unlike traditional ‘camping’, Paget Island is fully equipped with beds, a full kitchen, dining area and bathroom facilities.

As a result, Ms Bean said the excursion would be quite the opposite of ‘roughing it’.

“In addition to the break out sessions, there is free time to reflect and to get inspired by the beautiful surroundings, activities such as hair braiding, Bocce (Chewstick’s official game), hiking, fishing (if you provide your own equipment) and the retreat fireside where all participants share a new skill, story, poem, song or anecdote,” she said.

“Each instalment of the retreat series is different, but it’s always the chance to unwind, unplug and to open up to new experiences, people and ideas.

“Retreats are focused on enhancing key elements that include creativity, wellness and intellectual or personal growth while giving the chance to be enveloped in the natural beauty that Bermuda has to offer.”

There are only 50 spaces available on the retreat — which costs $75 for children, $150 for members and $200 for non-members.

To sign-up, phone 292-2439 or you can fill out the form link on www.chewstick.org.