---
title: 'DRAWING with PLACE, Creative Retreat, Orkney Islands'
description: >-
  Week-long drawing retreat in Orkney Islands, Scotland for 6 participants.
  Structured workshops exploring drawing and mark-making in an ancient
  landscape. £1,350 GBP.
url: 'https://www.artsume.com/programs/21822342-cad6-46e3-b263-d0f33e3b0c41'
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: '2026-05-25'
updatedAt: '2026-10-09'
programType: Workshop/program
organization: The Museum of Loss and Renewal
organizationUrl: 'https://www.artsume.com/o/the-museum-of-loss-and-renewal'
deadline: '2026-07-01'
location: 'Palace, Birsay, Orkney Islands, Birsay, Scotland, United Kingdom'
isOnline: false
disciplines:
  - drawing
---

# DRAWING with PLACE, Creative Retreat, Orkney Islands

**Hosted by:** The Museum of Loss and Renewal

**Type:** Workshop/program | **Location:** Palace, Birsay, Orkney Islands, Birsay, Scotland, United Kingdom | **Deadline:** July 1, 2026

## About This Program

> "Drawing and mark-making in place; exploring landscape, time, perspective, and environmental well-being in the Orkney Islands"

DRAWING with PLACE invites you to take the time to slow down by experiencing and investigating place through drawing. All forms of drawing are encouraged, activated through experimentation, play, trial and error. Being and working in the ancient environment of the Orkney Islands will stimulate deep consideration of time, perspective, and personal and environmental well-being.

There are just six places available, and participants will be accommodated in 5-star rated self-catering accommodation in the village of Palace, in Orkney's ancient heart of Birsay.

The Creative Retreat offers a carefully balanced itinerary with workshops that focus on historical and contemporary ways of drawing, discussion, presentation, making and sharing. Participants will be introduced to the natural landscape and to Orkney's world-class archaeological sites. By walking, listening, looking and making, participants will activate drawing and mark-making in multiple ways. Every morning participants step on to the beautiful coastal environment that includes the St Magnus Way pilgrimage route. Birsay Bay's 400-million-year-old rock structures, RSPB reserves, and world heritage archaeological sites serve as sites for tailored drawing exercises. Indoor working spaces next to accommodation enable experimentation. Each afternoon is personal time for exploration. Evening gatherings by the shore offer conversation and reflection. Led by award-winning artist, curator, and educator Tracy Mackenna.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** International
- **Disciplines:** drawing
- **Note:** Open to practitioners who work through drawing or have a strong interest in drawing as an area of practice; suitable for those developing, extending, and challenging their drawing practices. Participants should be prepared to walk in variable Orkney weather. Those with access needs are encouraged to contact the organizer. Limited to six places.

## What's Provided

- **Housing:** Provided - 5-star rated self-catering accommodation in single rooms in the village of Palace, Birsay, Orkney's ancient heart
- **Materials Support:** Available - Basic materials provided including a range of papers, pencils, and charcoals. Participants should bring preferred papers, sketchbooks, and tools.
- **Studio Access:** Provided - Indoor working spaces next to accommodation for experimentation and testing ideas

## Timeline

- **Opens:** May 25, 2026
- **Deadline:** July 1, 2026
- **Program Start:** July 4, 2026
- **Program End:** July 11, 2026

## Contact

**Email:** tracy@tracy.mackenna.studio

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://tracy.mackenna.studio/the-museum-of-loss-and-renewal-residencies/creative-retreats-orkney/drawing-with-place-orkney-islands-scotland/