Creative Nature Retreat With Shield Ranch
On October 11-13, the Future Front team is heading out to Shield Ranch for an overnight creative exploration retreat off-grid in the Texas Hill Country—and you’re invited to join us.
Led by executive coach, artist, designer and Future Front advisor Natalie Davis with singer-songwriter Jillette Johnson, along with Shield Ranch Foundation program director Justine Kies, this retreat features two nights in nature, alongside dedicated workshops like:
Watercolor in the Wild
Nature Drawing
Herbal Plant Walk
Songwriting
Natural Dyeing
Forest Bathing & Meditation
Yoga and Facilitated Reflection
Tickets are $50 off for Future Front members and friends.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
Connect back to your creative self and the stunning land at Shield Ranch. We will play, move, shift, hike, sing, reflect and create community together.
Two-night stay at The Campsite at Shield Ranch, an artfully designed and sustainably built off-grid non-profit retreat space in an ecologically diverse sanctuary along Rocky Creek.
The Campsite at Shield Ranch operates 100% off-grid using solar power and a rainwater system. Designed to provide protection from insects and the elements and be more durable than tents, facilities are open to the breezes, the dawn chorus of birds and the calls of tree frogs and owls at night.
You will sleep in screened shelters are inspired by tent camping to feel immersed in the natural world. Shared accomodations for 3 guests include full-size cots with vinyl mattresses, storage cubbies, overhead fan, floor to ceiling screens that can be covered by barn doors. Shelters do not have climate control.
Meals are sourced with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients prepared by our staff cook. Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks are served in the dining Pavilion. Please respond during registration with your dietary needs and we will accommodate.
Bathrooms include waterless evaporative toilet facilities and flush toilet facilities, each with private stalls and sinks with potable water. Showers have private stalls and rainwater. Biodegradable shampoo, conditioner and body wash are provided. Other toiletries are not provided.
An open-air pavilion, screened shelters, and miles of hiking trails provide a unique offering just 22 miles from downtown Austin.
This retreat has been designed by and for women and non-binary folks. Creatively inclined, caretakers, and people in creative roles who need to heal from burnout. You do not have to be an artist.
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HOW TO ATTEND
Retreat costs includes your lodging, all meals and all activities for two days. Costs range from $375 to $575 a person.
The Shield Ranch Foundation is a non-profit. Thanks to the generosity of supporters of the Campsite at Shield Ranch, a limited number of scholarship registrations at subsidized pricing are available to increase access for individuals who otherwise might face barriers to participating.
Use the code FFTX at checkout FOR $50 OFF YOUR REGISTRATION through the button below.
BEHIND THIS RETREAT
*This event is a production of Shield Ranch.
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS —
Natalie Davis (she/her): Natalie is a creative director, artist, and coach with a deep appreciation of her craft. She received a B.A. in Design|Media Arts from UCLA and her M.F.A. in 2-D Design from Cranbrook Academy of Art. As a first-generation Arab-American, handmade goods and traditional artistry have always been a part of her life. Through Canoe, she continues to explore the ornate textiles, furniture, and objects of her youth through the tactile practice of ceramics and leatherworking. She enjoys educating others through workshops, collaborations, coaching, and speaking engagements.
Jillette Johnson (she/her): Jillette Johnson is a critically acclaimed recording artist who first garnered attention playing in New York City, where she released her 2013 debut album, Water in a Whale. Throughout her decade-long career, she has been a road warrior, a piano-pop torchbearer, and a singer/songwriter. Jillette is also a certified yoga teacher and designer/owner of several Airbnbs in Nashville, Tenn. She has a deep passion for holding space for people, helping to foster curiosity, creativity, and connection.
Justine Kies (she/her): As Shield Ranch Foundation program director, Justine Kies facilitates groups’ goals and implements nature immersion programs at the Campsite. Since 2016, her boots have been walking along the trails of Shield Ranch Barton Creek with youth and adults connecting them to the beauty and significance of the land. She has led seven Camp El Ranchito seasons, five as camp director. In January 2020, Justine trained with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy as a certified forest bathing guide.
ABOUT SHIELD RANCH —
At Shield Ranch, stewarding and protecting Texas ecosystems is our solemn purpose. Our three ranches encompass 37,000 acres of sustainably managed wildlands in Central and West Texas. To support our ambitious land management program, we partner with renowned conservation organizations and provide transformative nature-immersion experiences for Texans. Our state is growing. Our communities are expanding. And truly wild places are becoming increasingly rare. But together, we can ensure Shield Ranch will stay wild for good.
ABOUT FUTURE FRONT —
Homegrown in Austin, Future Front is an award-winning culture space and exhibition series—with women and LGBTQ+ creatives at the front.
As an arts and culture nonprofit, we produce two community-led exhibitions, The Front Market and The Front Festival. Beyond our flagship showcases, we host year-round shows and workshops at our creative space in historic East Austin, welcoming 20,000+ visitors per year. Everybody and every body are welcome. Learn more at futurefronttexas.org.