The Wild Mirror: Seeing Yourself in the Natural World CEXTN002-202660
Jul 30, 2026 - Aug 2, 2026
Spots remaining: 14
Full course description
The Wild Mirror Painting Retreat
Thursday 7/30/2026- Sunday 8/2/2026
Join us this summer for The Wild Mirror, a two-day and three-night retreat in beautiful Humboldt, California. In this retreat, students will work on painting a self-portrait in acrylic inspired by immersion in the Redwood wilderness of California’s North Coast. The retreat will be hosted by painter and educator, Gina Tuzzi. The Wild Mirror retreat will include meditative field work and ample studio time in the painting lab at Cal Poly Humboldt.
The retreat will begin Thursday afternoon with an orientation and meet and greet in the Cal Poly Humboldt painting lab. Then on Friday, our first full day together, Gina will guide retreat guests on a hike into the Arcata Community forest. While surrounded by nature, participants will use paper and gouache to collect color, rhythm, and texture inspiration from quiet observational time in the wild. Elements gathered during this time will be brought into the painting studio that afternoon to inform the painting of a self-portrait in acrylic. Gina will provide guiding insights and demonstrations on both watercolor/gouache and acrylic processes along the way. Our second day in the studio will focus on refining elements of our paintings along with demonstrations and individualized feedback. Sunday we will meet in the morning to reflect on our time together and the paintings we have created. Beginners and more advanced students are welcome.
A one-hour informational zoom session will precede the retreat on Sunday, July 26th at 6 pm.
Instructor Bio: Gina Tuzzi (b. Santa Cruz, CA 1982) is a painter making work inspired by the intimate connection she has to the landscape that surrounds her at her home in Northern California. She attended Humboldt State University, receiving a BA in painting and printmaking and later Mills College where she received a MFA in painting.Gina is a Murphy and Cadogan fellow, a Facebook Artist in Residence and a two time SECA nominee. She teaches painting at Cal Poly Humboldt and lives in Blue Lake,California with her dog, Pidgin.
Mobility requirements: The Painting Lab is located on the second floor and is accessed via one flight of stairs. The dining hall is a 5-10 minute walk from the apartments. On the first day of the retreat, guests will be taken on a gentle hike.
What is included: Overnight accommodations in a single room at the College Creek Apartments campus housing and parking. Apartments include a kitchen. Meals at the campus dining hall: Dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Lunch on Friday and Saturday, Breakfast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Afternoon snacks and beverages on Friday and Saturday. Some basic materials for the workshop, including Watercolor paper for field studies, Gouache on a palette and portable water containers, A variety of acrylic mediums and Brush cleaner.
What is not included: Travel to and from Humboldt. A small list of materials to be provided by students, listed below. Near the College Creek is the Marketplace, where students can purchase additional food and snacks.
CCSF STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP: if you are a CCSF student interested in taking the retreat, we have a student scholarship available, please email us at ccsf.extension@ccsf.edu.
Refund and Cancelation Policy: If the workshop is canceled, a full refund will be issued.
Please send all refund requests via email to ccsf.extension@ccsf.edu
- Before May 30th, 2026, 100% refund less a $250 non-refundable deposit
- June 1- July 14st, no refund available for any reason, including illness, travel, or other personal circumstances unless we have a waitlist or you can find a replacement, then full refund less $250 non-refundable deposit.
- After July 14th no refund available for any reason, including illness, travel, or other personal circumstances.
Materials list (brought by the participant):
A panel painting surface approx. 16"x20" in size, primed with gesso or a painting ground of your choice
Acrylic paint media
A palette for mixing paint
Drawing media
Brushes
A small bucket for paint water
Rags
Walking shoes
Optional materials to bring for the course:
A chair or blanket to sit on for fieldwork
An image of your face/bust to use as reference for the self portrait either printed or on a laptop/tablet (will discuss details during the zoom session)
A smock to protect your clothing while painting or a painting outfit