Solo Exploration

June 6, 2026

The 72 Microseasons of the North & The Art of Noticing

Join artist-photographer Mary Jo Hoffman renowned for her unique and personal engagement with the natural world for two Immersion classes on June 6, 2026. Best known for her project, "STILL” where every day (every single day) for over a decade, she made a photograph of found nature – no subject too small or too ordinary. For Hoffman, a former aeronautical engineer, this daily ritual cracked open profound revelations about the connectedness of all things, the importance of place, and the creative life.

Her book, STILL: The Art of Noticing–already in its fifth printing– features 275 of the most stunning photographs the author-artist has accumulated over thousands of consecutive days of daily shooting accompanied by perceptive, deeply felt, and often humorous essays illuminating the insights gained through this daily creative practice.

Session 1: “The 72 Microseasons of the North"

June 6, 2026 | 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Join author and artist Mary Jo Hoffman, creator of the STILL project and book STILL: The Art of Noticing, for an immersive experience celebrating the poetry of the seasons. Inspired by the Japanese concept of the 72 microseasons. Mary Jo will talk about the importance of "placefulness" as an antidote to the placelessness of life online. While Mary Jo visually presents the 72 Microseasons of the North, guests will be encouraged to create simple compositions using foraged natural materials and photograph their own “still” moments — a meditative exercise in beauty.

Session 2: “The Art of Noticing"

June 6, 2026 | 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

In this workshop with Mary Jo Hoffman, author of STILL: The Art of Noticing, guests will participate in a guided foraging walk. Mary Jo will share the tricks she uses to see ordinary natural subjects with fresh eyes. Then participants will each be given a "selective filter" to forage by, and together we will make a large assemblage of simple foraged compositions. This is hands-on and highly interactive!

For all guests on-site these classes are included. For our community members, this class is open to the public with a $25 drop in fee or a $130 10-class pass. Please sign up at the front desk in the Retreat Center. Contact Jenna Erickson, Assistant Retreat Director, with any questions - jerickson@wildriceretreat.com.

Author Bio

Mary Jo Hoffman is an artist-photographer renowned for her unique and personal engagement with the natural world. Best known for her project, "STILL” where every day (every single day) for over a decade, she made a photograph of found nature – no subject too small or too ordinary. For Hoffman, a former aeronautical engineer, this daily ritual cracked open profound revelations about the connectedness of all things, the importance of place, and the creative life

Her book, STILL: The Art of Noticing–already in its fifth printing– features 275 of the most stunning photographs the author-artist has accumulated over thousands of consecutive days of daily shooting accompanied by perceptive, deeply felt, and often humorous essays illuminating the insights gained through this daily creative practice.

Hoffman lives in Shoreview, Minnesota, on Turtle Lake, with her husband, Steve, a food writer and author.

July 10 & 17, 2027 | 12-3 pm

Artist In Residence - Dietlind Vander Schaaf

This is a Wild Rice Retreat–hosted workshop, part of our thoughtfully curated programming. We proudly partner with skilled retreat leaders to bring guided experiences to our resort—designed to inspire, nourish, and support personal growth in alignment with our mission.

Painter Dietlind Vander Schaaf will be serving as artist-in-residence on either end of her July 2027 retreat.

She will be giving an evening lecture and slideshow on encaustic painting that touches on contemporary artists working in the field, as well as highlights the versatility of the medium. During the day she will offer a 3 hour mini workshop that covers application, color mixing, and basic techniques including leaf stencils and working with mixed media.

Attendees will create a small painting to take with them.

Bio:
Dietlind Vander Schaaf has exhibited at the Cape Cod Museum of Art, The Fuller Craft Museum, and On Center Gallery, among others, and been featured in Maine Home + Design, Decor Maine, UPPERCASE, and Downeast magazines.

Vander Schaaf is a Core Instructor for R&F Handmade Paints, an Ampersand Ambassador, and the former president of New England Wax. She has taught workshops throughout the country, including Haystack, Arrowmont, Castle Hill, Snow Farm, Penland, Maine College of Art, R&F, and internationally at Zijdelings in The Netherlands, Essence of Mulranny in Ireland, and Kunstfreiraum in Switzerland. The recipient of grants from the Maine Arts Commission and International Encaustic Artists, as well as a Tending Space Artist Fellowship from the Hemera Foundation, she is represented by Portland Art Gallery and Artemis Gallery. Vander Schaaf is a 500 hr Kripalu yoga instructor with specialty training in meditation, advanced asana, Ayurveda, vinyasa, and pranayama.

Social:
@dietlindvanderschaaf 

Registration:
For all guests on-site, the cost is $75 for the workshop. For our community members, this class is open to the public with a $75 drop in fee. Please sign up using the button below or visit us at the front desk in the Retreat Center. Contact Jenna Erickson, Assistant Retreat Director, with any questions at jerickson@wildriceretreat.com.

Terms + Conditions:
Your workshop cost will be added on to your lodging reservation and paid for at checkout. If you need to cancel attendance at your workshop, please call the property directly or notify the Assistant Retreat Director, Jenna Erickson at jerickson@wildriceretreat.com.

REGISTER HERE