The 26th Annual
Gathering
July 5–11, 2026
The Gathering is a six-day intensive that provides a deep immersion in the process of Touch Drawing. Held within the beauty of the forest and the safety of the circle, you are invited to embody your creative soul. Oriented to people who feel a calling to share Touch Drawing, this experience provides the fertile ground out of which your own way of facilitating the process can emerge.
The Gathering has a sacred and joyous quality. Words fail to adequately describe it. Drawing sessions are deep and expansive. I hold space with the heartbeat of a large ceremonial drum, gong, crystal bowls and vocal toning. Reflective writing, gentle movement, vocal practices and group sharing are woven through each day. These creative processes compliment the deep Touch Drawing sessions and help you explore the images that emerge. Afternoon quiet times and a day of silence allow for integration and renewal. In the course of the week, our focus moves through an organic progression: from personal, to interpersonal, and transpersonal. Together we generate an atmosphere that enlivens and inspires.
This creative experience is oriented towards people who are interested in bringing Touch Drawing into their lives and work in their own unique ways. If you are a therapist, educator, counselor, artist, social worker, intuitive, health practitioner, body worker, spiritual director, healer, life coach, or expressive arts facilitator, you will be empowered to integrate this dynamic creative process into your life and work. I love to talk with you about your interests during mealtimes, and encourage attendees with common interests to connect. Read about facilitating Touch Drawing
To get a sense of this unique event, immerse yourself in a Gathering Photo Gallery. To get a feeling for the flow of the week, see What We Do and the Daily Schedule. Comments from participants convey some of the ineffable qualities of the Gathering. Scroll down to view the videos Experience the Touch Drawing Gathering and Reflections on Touch Drawing. Many common questions are addressed in the FAQ.
We have exclusive use of Whidbey Institute, amidst 106 acres of forest on Whidbey Island, Washington. This is a place of deep spirit, nature and beauty. Our sacred studios are the awe-inspiring Thomas Berry Hall and the Woodland Sanctuary. Deborah’s husband Ross Chapin was the architect for these and other buildings. We have a long relationship with this place and it holds the Gathering in blessing.
We walk and draw in the large Chartres-style outdoor labyrinth. Sacred sites such as the Woodland Sanctuary and ‘Earth Nest’ are available at all times. There are miles of trails through the forest. On our day of silence, pack your lunch and art materials. You can choose to walk and draw on Maxwelton beach facing the majestic Olympic Mountains. Or settle into the peace of our retreat center for much of the day. In the afternoon we gather in the Sanctuary for a Soundbath and remain in silence for a time of creative reflection through movement and writing.
As the week progresses, we will bring select Touch Drawings into their fullness through coloring and mounting. As our time together begins to draw to a close, we have an evening of embodying soulful presence through dancing, drumming, and vocalizing. This ceremonial dance helps to integrate and embody the transformative vision of our time together. Then we dive back into our drawing boards the following morning.
All meals use local, fresh, organic produce whenever possible. Every bite is truly a delight, and their service is loving and abundant. Much of the menu is gluten and dairy free, with vegetarian options always available. Our program host is available to serve your needs at all hours, if necessary. The staff at Whidbey Institute hold this program in high regard, as their longest running event since 1997. We are honored that they allow us to be the only program on the land during this week.
On Friday July 10, we have a formal closing session in the afternoon. If you really must, you may depart after 3:00. But our group remains together through the next morning for a beautiful time of integration. We have dinner at Maxwelton Beach with beach walks, conversation, drumming and singing. Linger to watch sunset over the Olympic Mountains. On Saturday morning, I welcome you to my home in Langley for breakfast. Allow time to explore this beautiful seaside village with your Gathering friends before departing the island.
Please join us if you hear the call! Contact me to arrange a time to talk if you have any questions.
Blessings, Deborah Koff-Chapin
Testimonials • What We Do • FAQ’s
Photo Galleries From Past Years
View Past Gatherers Talking About Their Experience
Timing, Costs, Travel & Registration
The photos in the video and gallery below are selected from several years and follow the flow of our time together.
Please join us if you hear the call! Contact me to arrange a time to talk if you have any questions.
Blessings, Deborah Koff-Chapin
Testimonials • What We Do • FAQ’s
Photo Galleries From Past Years
View Past Gatherers Talking About Their Experience
TIMING, COSTS, TRAVEL & REGISTRATION
• Immerse in the sacredness of the creative process.
• Meet & be inspired by kindred souls
• Reflect on your images through poetic writing.
• Open your voice through vibrational sound practices.
• Attune to subtle energies through awareness & movement practices.
• Develop trust in your intuition by creating drawings for a partner.
• Settle into silence in an old growth forest & driftwood beach.
• Bring your images to greater fruition by mounting & coloring.
• Integrate Touch Drawing & Expressive Arts into your life & work.
• Celebrate & Integrate through the ‘Long Dance’.
Please join us if you hear the call! Contact me to arrange a time to talk if you have any questions.
Blessings, Deborah Koff-Chapin
Testimonials • What We Do • FAQ’s
Photo Galleries From Past Years
View Past Gatherers Talking About Their Experience