Creative Coping

A Mini-Retreat Offering a Creative Ways to Exploring Grief

Grief is the emotional response to any loss that deeply impacts our lives. Whether it’s the absence of a loved one, the loss of a pet, or the grief of paths not taken, this experience can hold many emotions, including sadness, longing, anger, even unexpected relief.

This one-day retreat invites you to explore and process grief through the healing practices of mindful movement and creative expression as we approach Samhain and Día de los Muertos, a sacred space of remembrance as the veil between worlds thins.

As the holiday season approaches, a time that often stirs feelings of loss, this retreat offers a chance to pause, process, and transform grief through creativity and community.

Using clay hand-building to create your own altar and Horse Hair firing, you'll transform your experience into something tangible and meaningful. Whether you're facing loss, life transitions, or ambiguous grief, this retreat offers a safe, nurturing environment to honor your journey and find support in community.

 

WHAT?

A one-day mini-retreat weaving together yoga, clay, and ritual. Together we will:

  • Handbuild grief altars from clay to honor loved ones lost

  • Experience the horse hair firing as a way to embody remembrance

  • Move and breathe through mindful yoga and meditation

  • Share in a community of support that honors the depth and diversity of grief

WHO is this for?

This retreat welcomes anyone navigating grief:

  • Those grieving the death of a loved one or pet

  • Individuals moving through life transitions or loss of any kind

  • Anyone seeking creative ways to process and honor grief

  • Those longing for community, ritual, and remembrance

No prior yoga or pottery experience is needed—all are welcome.

WHEN?

  • Saturday, October 25 | 10am-4pm

WHERE?

  • SP Gallery, 7431 Military Rd, Amelia Court House, VA 23002

WHY?

Grief touches us deeply, and sometimes we need more than words to process it. Through creative coping, we transform grief into something tangible and meaningful, providing release for emotions that may otherwise feel stuck. By creating altars and engaging in ceremonial firing, you’ll discover ways to honor your loved ones and carry their memory into the holiday season.

Together, in community and ceremony, we’ll hold space for grief not as something to fix but as a sacred thread of connection and transformation.

What is included?

  • Clay materials and firings for your handmade grief altar

  • A Kourtenay/Holly handmade vessel from horse hair firing to honor your loved one

  • Guided yoga and meditation practice

  • Nourishing nibbles & lunch

  • Tea & refreshments

  • Grief resources and community support

  • How?

How Much?

  • $235 before 9/5

  • $245 after 9/5

Meet the Hosts

Holly Zajur

Holly’s journey into grief work began in 2022 after the passing of her grandmother. This profound loss opened the door to a powerful relationship with grief, where Holly now sees it as an ongoing connection with loved ones lost. Since then, she has worked with grief therapists and shared insights about grief on her podcast, How the Wise One Grows. Holly finds healing and meaning in spiritual and creative practices, integrating grief into her daily life as a way of honoring the loved ones who have passed.

As a lifelong learner of yoga and mindfulness, Holly has dedicated her career to helping others cultivate these transformative practices. Whether she is guiding a retreat, coaching, or speaking, Holly is passionate about helping people live with intention and navigate life's transitions through mindfulness, creativity, and connection.

Kourtenay Plummer

Kourtenay Plummer is the artist behind Kourtenay Plummer Pottery. Born and raised in Chesterfield, Virginia, she discovered her passion for pottery at a young age and pursued her love for clay during her college years. With a strong commitment to education, Kourtenay taught art to children for many years. In 2020, Kourtenay lost her mother and grandfather suddenly, two of the most important people in her life. Amidst the grief and challenges of the pandemic, she made the significant decision to leave teaching and dedicate herself fully to her art. Despite this shift, her deep appreciation for education remains, and she envisions continuing to teach in some capacity throughout her life. Currently based between Amelia and Richmond area of Virginia, Kourtenay owns an art gallery and pottery studio, SP Gallery. Her passions continue to inspire and cultivate a love for art within her community.

Meet the Space

SP Gallery is a stunning destination encompassing an art gallery, a pottery studio, an art market and an antique showroom. Guided by the artistic vision of the father-daughter duo, Kevin and Kourtenay Plummer, this space bloomed out of grief and loss.

Both Kevin and Kourtenay were at a crossroads with their careers after the sudden losses of three very important people in their lives, including Kourtenay’s mother and Kevin’s wife, Deb. SP Gallery stands as a testament to coping with creativity, community, collaboration, and strength.

This unique space offers visitors the opportunity to explore a diverse range of artistic outlets and find inspiration in both contemporary and traditional works. With a focus on fostering artistic expression and bringing people together, SP Gallery is not just a place to view art but a vibrant community hub where creativity thrives.

-Ample parking is available on the premises.

-ADA accessible.

Imagine Your Day

  • You arrive at the serene S&P Gallery in Amelia, greeted by your group as you begin the day with a mindful movement practice and meditation. This practice will be focused on grounding yourself and acknowledging the emotions surrounding grief, allowing you to settle into the space. 

  • Connect with the earth and the raw, tactile nature of clay, symbolizing the process of shaping and working through grief. As you mold your piece to make an altar, you’ll have the opportunity to give form to your emotions, externalizing the complex feelings associated with loss.

  • Enjoy a nourishing lunch and take some time for personal reflection and prepare for the letting go ceremony. Explore inspiration stations where different creative mediums are available for you to further process your grief, set intentions, or simply rest. This time allows you to intuitively guide yourself through what you need, without formal instruction.

  • We will engage in a letting go ceremony through a Horse Hair firing. As the fire transforms your piece, this ritual will serve as a metaphor for releasing and transforming aspects of grief.

  • Complete your vessel and gather with your community for a final reflection. This space will allow you to share insights and experiences while considering how to integrate the tools and healing practices from the day into your ongoing grief journey.

✨ Maybe you’re considering joining us for the Art of Grief Mini-Retreat but aren’t sure if it might feel like too much, or if your grief feels too tender right now…✨

First and foremost, we want you to honor what you need. Here are a few things to consider to help you decide:👇

🌱 Our intention is to share tools for coping mentally, physically, and creatively with your grief journey.

✨The focus isn’t on the cause of grief or healing it, but rather on reframing how you relate to and process your grief.

🌈While grief holds many difficult emotions, it can also hold beautiful ones too—we want to create space for joy & connection during this time together.

🌿 There will be spaces for you to step away, create on your own, or simply be in nature—no questions asked.

🍂 The timing of this retreat is no coincidence—it happens before Halloween, Samhain, and Dia de Los Muertos, when the veil between worlds is said to be thinnest, offering a portal for deeper spiritual connection.

🎄 With the holidays approaching, this mini-retreat will include creative practices to support you during this challenging season.

💬 While this retreat is therapeutic, it isn’t meant to be like therapy nor a substitute for therapy.

💕 If you someone or something is missing from your community, this is a space to cultivate community support as you navigate your grief.

👉Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, we are honored to hold this space and want to help you make the right choice for you!