creative expression
in the Sahara
with Rhonda Nolan
April 11-18, 2025
Explore the natural beauty of the desert. Hear its heartfelt silence and allow it to overtake you. Your senses will be heightened as you walk the dunes. You will learn to slow down. Meditate on this great expanse and the incredible freedom it offers you.
We will gather here to look deep within ourselves, to understand the process of ‘expressive art’ and the positive energy surrounding it. You will learn techniques to help you capture your inner most feelings through the exploration of texture and markmaking.
US$1,995
or CAD$2,750
(price/person)
double-occupancy
7-night/8-day
Your 7-night/8-day Moroccan journey comes with all the trimmings: unique accommodation (riad, desert camp), airport transfers, transportation, expert English-speaking guides, and all vegetarian and vegan meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), water in the vehicle.
What’s included
Transportation costs and local taxes
Comfortable and climate-controlled vehicle
English-speaking tour leaders and guides
Accommodations (double occupancy)
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), snacks
and water in the vehicle, tea or coffeeVisit of Ksar Ait Benhaddou
Local hammam fees in Tamnougalt
What’s not included
Airfare
Travel and health insurance
Other meals and activities not stated in the what’s included section
Soft drinks/alcoholic drinks
Personal expenses and gifts
Tips and gratuities
-
DAY 1: APRIL 11, 2025 - MARRAKECH
Upon arrival at Marrakech Menara Airport, a driver will take you to your riad in the old Medina. After a light meal, you can relax in your room or explore the city at your own pace. In the evening, we'll meet for our welcome dinner.
We will talk about the energy of expressive art and begin the process of documentation.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Night 1 @ Riad in Marrakech -
DAY 2: APRIL 12, 2025 - OUARZAZATE - TAMNOUGALT
After breakfast, we will head towards the Sahara through the High Atlas Mountains. You will be in awe of the many beautiful vistas along the way. We will stop for lunch at the Ksar Ait Benhadou. Then continue onwards to a 500-year Kasbah in Tamnougalt. The process of collecting and journaling continues. There will be a visit to the souk where you will be surrounded by the colours, smells, textures of Moroccan life.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Night 2 at Kasbah in Tamnougalt -
DAY 3: APRIL 13, 2025 - TAMNOUGALT
The day will unfold with a visit to the hammam. You will understand the joys of women together supporting each other. Henna, a souvenir of Moroccan motif will be offered. So much to explore. You will experience this rich Berber culture, the colours, customs, religion.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Night 3 at Kasbah in Tamnougalt -
DAY 4: APRIL 14, 2025 - TAMNOUGALT-THE SAHARA
Today will bring adventures from Berber life en route to the desert. So much to see in this beautiful kingdom. We will lunch along the way, arrive and be welcomed at the camp in a true Berber way. Your Saharan meditation begins now. Introduction to whats planned for the next 2 days, at dinner. FIre and music will happen later.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Night 4 @ Luxury Desert Camp in the Sahara -
DAY 5: APRIL 15, 2025 - THE SAHARA
We will begin each day on this desertland with stretching and meditation. You will understand that the Sahara is a long extended meditation where time seemingly stands still.
A delicious breakfast will sustain us for the creativity ahead. We will explore markmaking and collage techniques with Rhonda Nolan. There will be plenty of time for experimentation. Also a surprise cooking class might just happen. Fire and drumming under the stars are planned for later.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Night 5 at luxury desert camp in the Sahara. -
DAY 6: APRIL 16, 2026 - THE SAHARA
Stretching and meditation are a beautiful beginning to the day. After a delicious breakfast we will begin another day of creativity, as we delve deeper into the rythym of the Sahara. It’s easy to feel the shifting sands and sense that nothing remains the same. We will experiene the beautiful Saharan sunset while camel riding. We will have our ‘farewell to the desert’ dinner then there will be drumming and dancing.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Night 6 @ Luxury Desert Camp in the Sahara -
DAY 7: APRIL 17, 2025 - MARRAKECH
Beginning the day with stretching and meditation, we will then breakfast before we leave the camp. We will travel through the breathtaking Atlas mountains and return to Marrakech.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Night 7 at Riad in Marrakech -
DAY 8: APRIL 18, 2025 - MARRAKECH
After breakfast, our team will drive you to Marrakech Menara Airport for your flight. Thank you for joining this adventure with Rhonda Nolan. I know you will cherish these memories. You will be embodying the calmness and serenity of the Sahara and a deep understanding of the importance of expressive creation.
Meals: Breakfast
US$1,995*
or CAD$2,750
price/person
shared-occupancy*
7-night/8-day
*US$3,996 for single occupancy
RHONDA NOLAN
Rhonda Nolan is an established Canadian contemporary, mixed media artist who has her studio/gallery in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. She has shown nationally and internationally. Her exhibition at Dar Cherifa, a cultural foundation in the Marrakech medina, in 2023 introduced her art to Morocco. Her noted series, ‘les femmes du Sahara Marocain’ demonstrates her textural storytelling ability and has given a little necessary attention to these women of the Sahara, for which she is grateful for.
She combines her studio life in Canada with her travels and painting in Morocco. She loves this country like her own, creating with what she has around her. Her travels to the Sahara and painting on this desert land have provided her with a backdrop of clarity and reverence for the beauty of her world and offer this abstract quality of vastness. She shares these experiences with kindred souls who want to paint expressively in the Sahara.
She believes in the energy of the earth and is ever grateful for this gift of art she was given. With this, she loves to collaborate with other artists, and together they will inspire and create positive energy for our world. She invites like minded artists to come with her to the desert to offer their gifts.