Carol J Anderson, Ph.D.

Carol’s entire career has been helping others find their unique ways of learning and being. First as a

special education teacher, then teacher educator and later as dean of education in schools and

universities in Connecticut, Utah, Wyoming, Missouri and Minnesota.

After 30 years as an educator she left her career to follow the wisdom of her soul. Carol now resides

in rural Wisconsin and Minneapolis actively designing and living the Second Half of her Life.

Carol has worked extensively with Angeles Arrien Ph.D., cultural anthropologist and author of

The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Initiation and currently speaks, teaches and facilitates

workshops based on Arrien’s “Eight Gates” work. Carol also guides, coaches, and mentors others who are on the

same journey; the adventure of exploring what’s ahead in their Second Half of Life.

Learn more at: www.findingyourwayinthesecondhalfoflife.com

Retreats by this Instructor - Finding Your Way in the Second Half of Life

Deb Bachmann, Tao Shiatsu practitioner, founder of the Tao Sangha Center in Madison, WI.

Ryokyu Endo, a Japanese Buddhist priest and Tao Shiatsu Master introduced Deb Bachmann to

Nembutsu (Buddhist chanting) practice in 1992 while she was studying Tao Shiatsu in Japan.

After completing her studies she founded the Tao Sangha Center in Madison, WI in 1996.

The Tao Sangha Center offers spiritual development courses, training in Nembutsu, Tao Shiatsu

treatments and classes, as well as opportunities to share the heart of giving with those in need

through local and international aid projects.

More information at: www.taosangha-na.com - email Deb at usa@taosangha.com

Retreats by Request – Ki and Heart Health Practices and Nembutsu Buddhist Chanting

Deb Biechler, M.A. received her master’s degree in Education from Viterbo University

in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She co-facilitated the Central Wisconsin Writing Project at the

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for six years and was an adjunct faculty member of

Viterbo University and UW-Green Bay.

In 2011, Deb Biechler took early retirement from teaching full time, sold her house, and accepted

a position in the south of France house-sitting and gardening. Deb has been drawn to the written

and spoken word from an early age. In France, she continues to discover ways that words connect

us to our inner wisdom and divine guidance; grow grace and strength through expressed gratitude;

and work like bridges, allowing us travel into the experiences, hearts and minds of others.

Deb teaches writing as a form of play, a means of discovery and connection, as a path and powerful tool for creating

change. She currently enjoys life traveling around the world, writing, and stopping off here and there to teach.

Retreats by this Instructor - Writing Retreat: Growing Grace/Journaling Gratitude

Retreats by Request – Writing Your Stories

Kay Brathol-Hostvet’s pastel and acrylic landscape paintings have been described as

“contemporary regionalism” and “emotive landscapes.” She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree

from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Studio Arts, with concentrations in painting and

drawing. She currently works from her studio in Madison, WI.

Kay Brathol-Hostvet’s work is in numerous private and corporate collections including the

University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, and Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

She is represented by Artisan Gallery, Paoli, Wisconsin and BNOX Gold & Iron and Fine Art.

Kay feels sharing ourselves with others is the greatest gift we can give. She enjoys teaching

classes for adults and young people. Kay understands that beginners are often fearful of

“mistakes,” judgment, and failure. Her classes are informative, interactive, non-judgmental, and FUN! 

Kay respectfully guides students to develop their skills, challenging them to grow beyond their

expectations. With her passion and enthusiasm for art-making, she encourages others to pursue their own “voice”.

To view more of Kay’s work, please visit: www.KayBratholHostvet.com

Retreats by Request – Soft Pastels Adventure

Audrey Chowdhury, MS, ATR-BC, is a board certified art therapist who specializes in helping

you to reconnect with your creative spirit so that you can live with joy and fulfillment. She uses

fun and powerful techniques that everyone can do, such as the popular SoulCollage^®, an intuitive

collage making process, and the Nine Modern Day Muses (as described by Jill Badonsky).

Audrey is certified to facilitate, SoulCollage^® groups, Muse Groups, and Integrative Breathwork/

Soul Based Psychology (trained by Jacquelyn Small). She is also a Reiki Master and Teacher.

She presents workshops at her studio in Sturgeon Bay, WI as well as at Full Circle Retreat and

other locations.

More about Audrey at: www.creativespiritguide.com and www.soulcollage.com - email Audrey at: acsunprairie@aol.com

Retreats by Request – Musical Soul Journey and SoulCollage^®

Kathleen Grittner, proprietress of Full Circle Retreat, where surrounded by the beauty

and energy of nature, she continues her life-long exploration of the many art forms and

spiritual practices that inspire her. Kathleen earned a master’s degree in art therapy at

Vermont College, in Montpelier, Vermont after studying studio arts, philosophy, literature,

world religions and psychology at Mount Mary College, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

For several years Kathleen designed and printed textiles that have been exhibited

nationally and internationally.

In a relaxing environment free from judgment, competition, or the pressure of certain results, Kathleen invites

you to experience your own inherent creativity. She shares the many influences and tools that she uses to inspire

imagination to come out and play, integrating meditation, music, movement, and writing into the art forms that

she practices. Art making is approached as playful experimentation in the spirit of curiosity, a way of listening to

your own inner teacher. She is also a trained SoulCollage^® facilitator.

In 2003, Kathleen opened Full Circle Retreat to those who wish to experience the energy and joy that comes from

being in nature and creating in community. 

More about SoulCollage^® at: www.soulcollage.com/kathleen-grittner

Retreats by this Instructor – Mandalas: A Centering Practice and Journaling with Images and Art As Practice: Intuitive Art Making

and The Artist’s Way and Hundreds of Ways … and Inquiry Writing/Journaling and SoulCollage^®/Summer Solstice and SoulCollage^®/Autumn

and Autumn Equinox Harvest and Autumn Rest and Reflection and Spring Renewal: Rest and Rejuvenation

Retreats by Request – Walking Up To Spirit Through Art and Art As Spiritual Practice and Shrines and Altars: Collage/Assemblage

and Art Journals and Art Materials: An Art Media Discovery Playshop and ART For the Truly Terrified and Knitting Socks 

Barb Kobe, is an artist specializing in doll making as visual metaphor. She is also an

Expressive Arts Coach, Group Facilitator, Teacher, and Curriculum Designer.

Barb began making dolls many years ago using roots from her garden. Her first dolls were a

means of exploring deeper parts of herself. By making these dolls, she was able to affirm

the life process, the joy and the pain, and let go of what needed release and move toward

transformation and healing. The threads that weave through Barb’s work are women's

issues of empowerment, spirituality and healing.

Barb is passionate about art and healing and believes that the act of doll making can take

the doll maker through a deep creative process that can bring unknown parts of oneself to

conscious awareness, and set change in motion. Spiritual rituals and healing symbols deepen this process.

Nature is a primary source of inspiration. In addition to fibers and clay, Barb often uses sticks, roots, and

other materials found in nature for doll making.

More about Barb at: www.BarbKobe.com

Retreats by Request – Medicine Dolls: Making Healing Dolls

Lisa Moriarty, BA, CLF is a Labyrinth Designer and Certified Labyrinth Facilitator. She

creates sacred space for individuals, churches, groups and organizations as well as

conducting workshops, retreats and presentations on the history and use of labyrinths.

Lisa has a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and has trained with Rev. Lauren Artress

of Veriditas,Worldwide Labyrinth Project, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and Master

Labyrinth Maker Robert Ferré of Labyrinth Enterprises in St. Louis, MO. She is a board

member of The Labyrinth Society,an international organization and an active member

of the Minnesota Labyrinth Network.

Lisa creates unique labyrinth designs, including Circle of Peace™, a 7-circuit concentric circle

design that blends elements of the ancient classical and medieval or Chartres-like patterns with sacred geometric

principles. Another widely embraced design is the Dancing Woman™, a design inspired by the ancient Baltic Wheel

pattern and developed to represent triumph, celebration, compassion, joy and comfort.

To see these labyrinths designs and learn more about Lisa go to: www.PathsOfPeace.com

Retreats by Request – Creating Labyrinths

Tish Murphy has been rug hooking for 20 years and is well know in the rug hooking

community for her excellent work. Tish continues to teach workshops, design kits and

develop new, innovative projects that utilize rug hooking.

Her work has been featured in Rug Hooking magazine.

More about Tish at: www.TISHKITS.com

Retreats by Request – Rug Hooking: Hooked Mittens, Faces and Other Projects

Susan Seyfarth began making Yard Art after retiring from being an English professor. She fell in love with the

art form and now spends her time making and selling yard art, teaching others how to create in this medium

while traveling and living in both Florida and Wisconsin.

Retreats by this Instructor – Yard Art: Making Hyper-Tufa Garden Containers and Mosaic Embellishments

Ann Tristani

Becoming an oil painter is Ann’s response to a lifetime of exploring and appreciating creation.

After a childhood of romping in a ravine and climbing trees, a college career majoring in art and

biology, marriage and four children, it was at last time for Ann to paint! And so Ann painted

and painted and painted some more!

Over the years, Ann has studied with many nationally recognized oil painting Masters. She is

represented by several galleries throughout the Midwest and teaches ongoing oil painting

classes and workshops at the White Bear Center for the Arts where, “Slam in those darks!” is

a favorite phrase Ann hopes her students will come to understand and apply. She is a fun and

encouraging teacher who remembers what it’s like to be a beginning painter.

More about Ann and to view her paintings, visit: www.AnnTristani.com

Retreats by this Instructor – Plein Air Paintings with Oils

Lisa Schlingerman, MA in Human Development from St Mary’s College in Minneapolis,

Minnesota. Lisa is a Tai Chi instructor, artist, expressive art therapist, Reiki practitioner

and former Montessori teacher. Lisa has been an educator for 35 years, integrating the

philosophies of all the disciplines she has studied. Lisa believes that genuine

expression comes for the ability to describe the uniqueness of everyday experience.

Her integrated approach offers an environment that expands the potential for self-

expression. As an artist, Lisa creates in a spirit of self-discovery. For her, practicing

Tai Ji compliments her art making by sustaining the source of energy, connecting to the

patterns of nature and bringing to light images that truly express the body, heart and mind.

Lisa lives on the banks of the St Croix River and is a member of The Living Tao, Minnesota Art Therapy Association,

and Art Reach Alliance of the St Croix Valley. She is on the Board of St Croix River Association and is founder of

ARTSelf^® a natural source of expression that reveals itself during the creative process.

More about Lisa at: www.TaiChiLisa.com

Retreats by Request – Metaphors That Move You: A Tai Ji and Art Retreat

Seeing the world as an artist since early childhood, Kathie Wheeler has drawn and

painted throughout her life. She was raised in the Chicago area and studied art at

Eastern Illinois University and the Academy of Art in Chicago.

Kathie was a freelance commercial and portrait artist in Chicago before moving to Vernon

County in 1995. She now lives on a small farm with her husband, son, and daughter and

continues to paint in her studio and plein air.

For the past 12 years she has exhibited her work nationally and continues to teach in the public and private schools,

as well as adult classes.

More about Kathie at: www.KathieWheeler.com

Retreats by this Instructor – Oil Painting En Plein Air

Retreats by Request – Oil Painting: Landscape/Portrait Painting

M’Lou Wilkie majored in Art Education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, earning a BSE degree in 1976.

Attended Mount Mary College in Wauwautosa, WI and earned an MS degree in Art Therapy in 1994. For the past 14

years has been teaching Elementary Art at the Richland School District and has taught beadwork and stained glass

techniques to different age groups in the community. Practices Art Therapy and works with small groups or individuals

on an occasional basis.

More about M’Lou at: www.VivaGallery.net

Retreats by Request – Beadwork: Flat Peyote Stitch and Bead Loom Weaving

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