When is a trip more than just a trip? When several forces come together at once: The rejuvenating effects of travel, the soul-nourishing practice of creativity, and the encouragement of like-minded seekers. For women in our prime, this combination can be transformative.

This is exactly the scenario that Kate McGloughlin is cooking up for NextTribe’s retreat on the Greek Island of Hydra in October. “When we step outside our ordinary lives, particularly in a place as extraordinary as Hydra, we see ourselves differently,” Kate reflects. “Add the experience of creating something with your own hands—whether it’s a painting, a print, or a simple sketch—and something profound happens. We remember who we are beneath all our responsibilities and roles.”

This sentiment resonates deeply with NextTribe’s philosophy that women over 45 aren’t winding down—we’re just getting started on our most authentic chapter. In that sense, our Greek Island adventure is emblematic of our mission. 

The Artist’s Journey

Kate McGloughlin isn’t just an accomplished artist—she’s a force of nature who embodies the kind of creative renaissance many of us crave at this stage of life. For over two decades, she’s served as president of the prestigious Woodstock School of Art, where her landscape paintings and printmaking have earned her international recognition and a devoted following of students who return year after year for her unique blend of technical instruction and soulful encouragement.

Born and raised in the Catskills, Kate’s connection to landscape runs deep. Her work hangs in permanent collections at the Portland Art Museum, the Herbert F. Johnson Museum, and the Woodstock Artists Association & Museum, among others.

There’s something about connecting with your creative self in midlife that opens doors you never knew existed.

What strikes me most about Kate’s work is her mastery of light—the way she captures those fleeting moments when sunlight transforms an ordinary scene into something extraordinary. This sensitivity to light feels especially appropriate for a retreat in Greece, where the luminosity has inspired artists for centuries.

“There’s something about connecting with your creative self in midlife that opens doors you never knew existed,” Kate told me. “The vision you develop after 45 is clearer, more authentic, and infinitely more powerful than anything that came before.”

It’s precisely this wisdom, combined with her warmth, sense of humor, and generous teaching spirit, that makes her the perfect guide for women looking to tap into their artistic potential while basking in the Mediterranean sun. Those who have studied with Kate speak not just of technical growth but of perspective shifts that extend well beyond the canvas.

The Magic of Hydra

If you haven’t yet experienced Hydra, prepare to be enchanted. This car-free Greek island paradise seems designed specifically for creative awakening. Narrow cobblestone streets wind between whitewashed buildings adorned with bougainvillea. The only transportation? Your own two feet or the island’s charming donkeys.

Without the noise of vehicles or the usual distractions, your senses become heightened.

“Hydra has a special energy,” Kate explains. “Without the noise of vehicles or the usual distractions, your senses become heightened. You notice the quality of light, the textures of ancient walls, the rhythm of waves against the shore. It’s impossible not to be inspired.”

The NextTribe itinerary showcases the best of this magical setting: daily creative “playshops”  with Kate in various stunning locations, from our hillside villa to harborside cafés; excursions to hidden beaches accessible only by boat; and evening gatherings featuring local Greek cuisine and wine.

Not Just for “Artists”

Before you think, “But I don’t have an artistic bone in my body,” stop right there. Kate’s approach to creativity is refreshingly inclusive, informed by her decades of teaching experience and her own artistic journey.

“Everyone has creative capacity,” she insists. “My job is simply to provide the space, guidance, and permission for that creativity to emerge.”

Kate’s teaching philosophy has been shaped by her own multifaceted career. In addition to her acclaimed work as a painter and printmaker, she’s an accomplished writer and poet. She understands that creativity flows between disciplines, and her workshops reflect this holistic approach.

Her book Requiem for Ashokan: The Story Told in Landscape combines her stunning prints with poetic text to memorialize the communities displaced by the creation of the Ashokan Reservoir in upstate New York—revealing her ability to blend visual art with profound narrative.

Everyone has creative capacity.

During the retreat, her sessions will be a “choose your own adventure” in creativity, and may include landscape painting, printmaking techniques, and mixed media exploration—all tailored to accommodate both beginners and those with artistic experience. The focus isn’t on technical perfection but on the joy of expression and the discoveries that unfold when we give ourselves permission to play.

“Kate has this remarkable ability to meet each student exactly where they are,” says a longtime student from her Woodstock workshops. “She sees what you’re capable of before you do, and somehow guides you toward that potential without you even realizing you’re being guided.”

A Day on Hydra with Kate

What might a typical day look like during this retreat? Picture waking to the sound of church bells in your comfortable room at the Bratseral, a boutique hotel steps from the harbor. After a breakfast of Greek yogurt, honey, and fresh fruit on the terrace, you’ll join Kate for a morning art session.

“We might begin with simple drawing exercises to connect with our surroundings,” Kate says. “Then move into watercolor techniques that capture the intense blues of the Aegean or the honey-colored light on stone buildings.”

Afternoons offer options: continue working on your projects, explore the island’s walking paths, or simply relax at a seaside taverna. As evening approaches, the group reconnects for dinner at local restaurants where the catch of the day and island-grown vegetables become feasts for both the palate and the muse.

Transformative Travel: A Rare Opportunity

The Hydra retreat runs October 4-11, 2025. The package includes seven nights’ accommodation, daily workshops with Kate, most meals, and group excursions around the island.

What also makes this unique retreat so worthwhile is the intimate nature of the experience. Unlike large workshops where personal attention is limited, this small-group setting allows for the kind of mentorship and individualized guidance that can truly advance your creative practice. Kate’s teaching style—nurturing yet gently challenging—creates a safe space for exploration and growth.

For more details about the creative retreat Kate will lead in Greece, click here.

“I’ve watched women discover parts of themselves they had forgotten existed,” Kate says of her workshops. “Sometimes it happens through the stroke of a brush, sometimes through a conversation over dinner, sometimes just in the quiet moment of watching the light change over the Aegean. But it happens.”

As someone who has experienced the transformative power of NextTribe’s travel offerings firsthand, I can attest that these journeys have a way of creating bonds between women that last long after the suitcases are unpacked. Add Kate McGloughlin’s artistic wisdom and the mystical setting of Hydra, and you have all the ingredients for what might be the most meaningful creative experience of your life.

How did we find Kate? She’s in the tribe of the extraordinary Nomadic School of Wonder, our design partners for this retreat. They also found us a Greek artist who lives on the island much of the year, who will guide nature walks and help our travelers alchemize what they see into what they create. 

We think the combination, the synergy will create outcomes of extraordinary beauty, wonder, and yes, transformation.