Ready for a creative adventure that’ll completely transform how you think about art, community, and connection? The Maré do Sol Collective is bringing something absolutely incredible to the table with Tide: Ilhabela 2026 – and we had to share this with our Black Canadian Creators community!

What’s This All About?

Picture this: 13 days on the stunning island of Ilhabela in São Paulo, Brazil, where Atlantic rainforest meets coastal communities and ancestral traditions come alive. This isn’t your typical retreat or workshop – it’s a hybrid creative immersion experience that blends cultural learning, ecological connection, and artistic exploration in ways you’ve probably never experienced before.

From May 11-23, 2026, you’ll be diving deep into local knowledge, working alongside community practitioners, and letting the island’s vibrant cultural ecosystem fuel your creativity. Think slow living meets intentional art-making, with plenty of space for reflection and genuine cultural exchange.

What Makes This Special?

Maré do Sol isn’t just about creating art – it’s about building relationships. You’ll connect with place, community, and your own artistic intuition while engaging in:

• Hands-on workshops with local creatives and practitioners
• Guided artistic exploration that honors both individual and collective processes
• Ecological engagement that connects you to land, water, and environment
• Cultural activities rooted in Ilhabela’s rich traditions
• Collaborative spaces for knowledge sharing and respectful exchange

The whole experience is designed around that “slow down and engage deeply” philosophy – perfect for creatives who are ready to step away from the hustle and cultivate new forms of creative insight.

Who Should Apply?

This immersive program welcomes creatives, cultural practitioners, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in cross-cultural exchange. Whether you’re a multidisciplinary artist, community builder, or someone looking to deepen your creative practice through meaningful connections, this could be your moment.

The organizers are especially committed to fostering environments where women, youth, and diverse creators can thrive and learn from each other.

 Eligibility

• Participants must be 21+
• Participants must meet all travel and visa requirements
• You are responsible for ensuring your passport, travel documents, and permissions are valid
• Maré do Sol may accept or decline participation at its discretion

Ready to Dive In?

Here’s the deal – this is a paid program (totally worth it for 13 days of this kind of immersion!), and applications are due in January 2026. Don’t sleep on this one – spots will likely fill up fast.

Head over to http://maredosolcollective.com to get all the details and start your application. Take some time to really think about what kind of creative transformation you’re ready for, because this experience is designed to shift how you approach your art and your connection to community.

Tags: #ilhabela #creatives #community #residency #retreat #brasil #canadianartist #multidisciplinary #networking

Count us in for following along with this incredible opportunity – and we’d love to hear from any Black Canadian Creators who decide to apply!