Organizer Information
Led by award-winning artist, curator, and educator Tracy Mackenna, this retreat is an extension of the Museum of Loss and Renewal residency programs. Mackenna, an Orkney resident, brings decades of experience in gathering people to foster unexpected creative energy and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Title & Description
DRAWING with PLACE 2026.
This 8-day creative retreat invites six participants to the ancient heart of Birsay to investigate the relationship between drawing and place. The program emphasizes "slowing down" through experimentation, play, and trial and error. Participants will engage with Orkney’s 400-million-year-old rock structures, Neolithic heritage, and dramatic coastal landscapes to stimulate reflections on time, perspective, and environmental well-being.
Categories
Drawing.
Eligibility
- Suitability: Open to all those developing, extending, or challenging their drawing practices.
- Approach: Ideal for practitioners who use drawing as a way to "think" or understand environment and history.
- Requirements: Participants should be prepared for walking on varied terrain (soft grass, sandy beaches, and rocky shores).
Program Benefits and Awards
- Curated Instruction: Small-group mentorship with Tracy Mackenna focusing on historical and contemporary drawing methods.
- Guided Explorations: Daily morning sessions at sites including the St Magnus Way, Birsay Bay, RSPB reserves, and world-class archaeological landmarks.
- Accommodation: 7 nights in 5-star rated self-catering accommodation in the historic village of Palace, Birsay.
- Studio Resources: Dedicated indoor working spaces and basic materials (papers, pencils, charcoals) provided.
- Community Immersion: Evening gatherings by the Atlantic shore and orientation in the hypnotic beam of the Brough of Birsay lighthouse.
Fees
- Price: £1350.00 GBP.
- Deposit: A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at booking.
Application Requirements
- Booking: Places are limited to six and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Preparation: While basic materials are provided, participants should bring their own preferred sketchbooks and specialized tools.
How to Apply?
Book your place via the official project website. For questions regarding access needs or specific retreat details, contact Tracy Mackenna at tracy@tracy.mackenna.studio. Book DRAWING with PLACE Orkney.
Key Dates
- Retreat Dates: Saturday, July 4 – Saturday, July 11, 2026.
- Check-in: From 4:00 PM on July 4.
- Balance Due: 6 weeks prior to the retreat start date.
Location
United Kingdom, Birsay, Orkney Islands, Scotland.
Additional Details
Birsay is Orkney’s ancient capital, having sustained Neolithic, Pictish, Viking, and Scottish Royal communities. The village of Palace offers an immersive environment with the ruins of the Earl's Palace and the tidal island of Brough of Birsay within walking distance.