Journey to the Remote Outports of Newfoundland and Labrador

** Update ** Sept 17, 2025. Two people (of eight) have had to pull out of the event due to unforeseen circumstances and thus have had to forfeit their deposit of $495 each. We can apply this credit to the next two "Private Accommodation" tickets, but please note that this is a time-sensitive matter. Contact the Organizer immediately to inform them that you want to purchase one or both spots for the discounts to be applied.

Prepare for an extraordinary journey where the world of plein-air painting and photography meets the excitement of exploration! Join us in Newfoundland and Labrador, a region renowned for its distinctive and seldom-visited coastal areas that are certain to ignite your interest. Our comprehensive scenic tour* will guide you to offshore abandoned outports, lighthouses, sea caves, hidden coves, shipwrecks, and captivating landscapes. Each location is a rich source of inspiration, promising a sense of awe and anticipation at every step!

Billed as an 'artist's retreat,' this journey is open to all, regardless of artistic skill. The discovery of a hidden site, the perfect angle of another, and the ideal time of day to view it are equally beneficial for personal observation, whether in painting or photography. For those serious about their art, this tour also serves as a field workshop, focusing on the discovery and approach to various subjects. The primary aim is to equip you with a critical understanding of a scene and the ability to capture its essence, thereby enhancing your personal growth and confidence in applying these skills to your art form. For the painter, the goal is to capture the scene in one sitting, with minimal additions or finishing touches in the studio later, empowering you to create art with confidence and skill.

Rendezvous: Main Brook, NL.

How to Get There: If you're flying in, Deer Lake Airport (airport code: YDF) is your best bet for returning your rental car. As of July 24, 2025, Air Canada offers a one-way trip from Toronto (YYZ) for $ 200. To ensure a smooth journey, it's crucial to arrive early in the day, as the distance to Main Brook can take up to 4.5 hours. And remember, it's safer to avoid driving at night.

The Itinerary (the skinny)

Our guided journeys transform group travel, uniting a community of like-minded adventurers seeking shared experiences and meaningful connections.

This Itinerary is a journey through history, including Gros Morne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site! With travel to centuries-old outports, some dating to the 1700s, you'll soon fall in love with Newfoundland and Labrador.

Our travels take us across the Great Northern Peninsula and the Baie Verte Peninsula. Travelling from the town of Main Brook, we'll spend our days visiting several hidden locales and travel by boat to a number of abandoned outports that are quintessential "Newfoundland," a testament to a bygone era, with its dramatic ocean vistas and craggy rock outcrops providing a stunning backdrop for the wooden structures that dot the landscape. Let it be known. These abandoned buildings are more than just empty structures. They are living, breathing testaments to a Newfoundland culture and way of life that no longer exists. The fact that there has been no restoration perhaps explains why these outports are such potent symbols and, for many, such frightening ones—they have no successors. Factor in the desolation and ruggedness of the landscape—and seascape—that is overwhelming and, as such, inspires fear yet makes these places one of the most marvelous you'll ever see! This is a unique opportunity to witness these structures in their raw, unaltered state, an experience that will inspire and challenge you.

While we're in the neighbourhood, we'll visit the area surrounding L'Anse aux Meadows and venture nearby to view beached shipwrecks, a sight that never fails to fascinate, before heading south into Gros Morne National Park. From here, we'll travel eastward to the Baie Verte peninsula and visit several outports and breathtaking sea vistas, a colourful palette of options from which you can choose.

So where should you start, and what should you do? The fact that you're reading this right now is the key to making the results you've always hoped for. So congratulations. It's time to register.

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Featured Artist: Meet Eleanor Lowden.

Eleanor Lowden has been a professional artist for the past 30 years. Eleanor finds beauty in the everyday and turns it into colourful, layered works full of charm and detail. Known for her bold, bright, and soft greys, as well as playful patterns, her paintings invite you to enjoy them from afar and get lost in the details up close. Eleanor is a member of the Ontario Society of Artists, and she is represented in galleries across Canada.

With Eleanor Lowden, you'll be actively involved in sketching and painting on location, learning how to choose compelling angles, build intense compositions, and create a harmonious palette that brings your subject to life. Eleanor will guide you through her creative process – from on-site sketching to the thoughtful finishing work she completes in her studio.

Featured Photographer/Organizer: Pete Ryan has traveled extensively throughout the province, including into the Torngat Mountains of northern Labrador. A career photographer, over two thousand of his photographs are represented by National Geographic and are archived in the National Geographic Image Collection.

Historical Interpreter: Gordon Slade is recognized as a Canadian leader for his innovative expertise in the sustainable economic development of some of the world's most unique and economically significant regions. In 2005, Gordon was awarded the Order of Canada and, later in 2020, the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador in recognition of his achievements in spearheading the preservation of Newfoundland and Labrador's heritage.

We are a certified Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Operator: https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/plan-and-book/tours/36379168

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Experience Level: All skill levels are welcome. Novice artists are welcome, provided they have a basic understanding of their artform and supplies. We ask the more advanced artists to be understanding if this advice seems trivial.

Daily Routine: Soft adventure—walkabout. Our itinerary is subject to change depending on the weather. We'll start our days early to capture the morning's mood and continue throughout the day to observe the big picture and vignettes of landscapes and seascapes, viewing wildlife and when other opportunities present themselves.

Group Size: Ten (10) people.

Group Rate: If you have a group of four or more people who wish to register simultaneously, please ask the Organizer for a group rate.

Trip Details: Once registration and payment are complete, we shall email registrants a detailed information packet. The packet includes a more precise itinerary, artist accessories/supplies and camera gear suggestions, and a clothing checklist.

FAQ:

* What is included in the Artist Retreat?

For this particular Artist Retreat, the cost includes accommodation, boat excursion(s), and the unique opportunity to learn from two true professionals in a small group environment.

Double occupancy can only be accommodated should another person of the same sex request this option. Consider registering with a friend.

The cost does not include transportation to/from the Artist Retreat event (flights or car rental), travel insurance, food, optional personal activities, or any art accessories/supplies nor photographic gear.

Transportation: Ground transportation. Car convoy.

If you're flying in, Deer Lake Airport (airport code: YDF) is your best bet for returning your rental car. To ensure a smooth journey, it's crucial to arrive early in the day, as the distance to Main Brook can take up to 4.5 hours. It is safer to avoid driving at night.

Fitness Level:

Soft adventure. You must be reasonably fit, healthy, and accustomed to walking. You must also be willing to rise most mornings between six and seven o'clock (6h00 and 7h00), depending on the weather and opportunities announced the preceding evening. We'll drive to each location and then walk to the best position for viewing. You will be on your feet for at least five hours per day. Sturdy and comfortable footwear is recommended. Reach out if you have limitations.

What if I need to cancel?

If you cancel this event, the following applies: the ticket fees associated with this event are non-refundable. The ticket is, however, fully transferrable should you find someone who would enjoy attending this same event. For those who choose the "Reserve a Spot" option, the remaining balance must be paid by the due date; otherwise, booking cancellation will occur, and any fees already paid will be non-refundable.

For either type of registration booking, should there be a waitlist for this event, we can help you sell your ticket, but the sale is up to you to negotiate and finalize.

We highly recommend all participants consider purchasing travel insurance.

Terms and Conditions:

Registration: The amount specified per person for this event is due when you register. Your space is not reserved until we receive your full payment.

Audit Policy: Only paid participants will be admitted during the event.

Age Restriction: This event is recommended for adults over 19. An adult must accompany any minors under 19. Both adults and minors must pay for each respective spot within the event.

Liability Waiver: By participating in this event, you assume all risk and responsibility for any damages or personal injury that may occur for any reason. By attending this event, you agree to waive the leadership team, including organizers, event organizers, and event instructors, from any liability or injury, loss, or damage to personal properties associated with the activities or location of this event. As our guest, you must comply with our safety rules, be cautioned to heed all warnings and release us from all responsibility for any loss, injury, or damage you may suffer. A general waiver will be presented for review and signing upon arrival.

Cancellation, Refund & Delay Policy: Despite what the Eventbrite Refund Policy may indicate, the ticket fees associated with this event are non-refundable. The ticket is, however, fully transferrable should you find someone who would enjoy attending this same event. Credit cannot be applied to another event.

All event schedules and plans are subject to change at our discretion, dependent upon weather alerts, health and safety considerations, or any other factor related or unrelated to opportunities as we see fit. We are not responsible for any other costs that participants may have incurred, including but not limited to travel, car rental, lodging, insurance, optional personal activities, art supply purchases, and rentals.

No refunds will be given for delays or cancellations due to inclement weather, transportation, or other events beyond our control, either before, during, or after your workshop. We are not responsible for any additional costs you may incur due to delays or cancellations.

Refunds will be issued should the event be cancelled by the Organizer.

We highly recommend that all participants consider purchasing travel insurance.

Also check out other Arts events in Deer Lake, Fine Arts events in Deer Lake, Nonprofit events in Deer Lake.