OVERVIEW

We are so excited to announce this new course at our BRAND NEW STUDIO in the center of the Tuscan hilltop town of Chiusi. For those who are familiar with Siliano Alto, the farmhouse where we held our retreats for the past 15 years, Chiusi is the town nearest and where we have been hard at work this year renovating a new studio space within the historic center. This space used to be the community “taverna” and before that, a stable. It became the meeting place for the San Silvestro “contrada” (neighborhood) and maintained its historical value in the culture of Chiusi.

Now we feel as though we have taken on the torch to keep this space a special meeting area for culture and community and are very much looking forward to opening it up to our groups of students this year.

As the studio is in the center of this charming hilltop town, guests will be staying at a lovely family-fun hotel up the street that overlooks the Tuscan landscape, and we will meet at the studio each day for our lessons. Throughout the week we will also enjoy daytrips around the countryside and get to visit the rich offerings of sites and towns in the area. Guests can feel as though they are living in an Italian village for the week and walk to the market, the local cafe for a cappuccino, and even perhaps get to know the local barista.

ACCOMMODATION

Guests will enjoy a stay just up the street from our art studio. La Corte del Grillo Residenza d'Epoca is an hotel located in the historic centre of Chiusi. We have secured the superior double rooms for our guests which are spacious with frescoed ceilings and ensuite bathrooms all located on the main floor of this historic building. The furnishings with clean and simple lines are the work of local artisans, and the paintings and other furnishing accessories are works of artists from Chiusi and surrounding areas. From the windows you can enjoy a view of the quiet streets of the historic center as well as the sprawling Tuscan landscape.

The hotel has panoramic terraces overlooking the Valdichiana, where guests can enjoy breakfast or an evening aperitivo. The owners are part of the Slow Food Alliance who promote local and seasonal foods - and who also own two other restaurants in the center. Rooms include free wifi, air conditioning.

CUISINE

We will be enjoying our meals in several locations throughout the week. Breakfast is provided at the hotel each morning and our dinners and lunches will be split at various restaurants in town as well as out on our daytrips. There are a few occasions during the week where guests are free to explore the town on their own. There will be a special wine tasting aperitivo led by a sommelier at the enoteca up the street, and we will even enjoy a pasta-making lesson at the studio’s kitchen one evening.

SURROUNDING AREA

Guests will not only enjoy the center of Chiusi, but also the richness of the Italian cities in nearby regions. Day trips will allow students to add arts, culture, adventure, and natural beauty to their retreat experience. Trips include visits to see smaller villages that few tourists get to enjoy, and get a true education and taste of Italy with stops at some of our favourite cafes and "trattorie".

ART

Our courses are carefully designed for complete beginners with no previous experience as well as intermediate artists who would like to improve their skills/techniques, and, of course, practicing artists looking for a new challenge. Julian, the host and instructor, has nearly 30 years of experience teaching students of all ages and abilities, and always strives to create a friendly and relaxed studio atmosphere. Read more about his story on the ABOUT page. We offer a variety of custom-made art courses in order to build confidence and inspire you across a range of themes and disciplines. These unique courses also reflect the culture and history of the area and are interwoven with art-history excursions, providing inspiration, variety and interest throughout the week. Above all, this is a real opportunity for developing artists to work in small groups alongside an experienced teacher.

7-DAY PAINTING AND DRAWING COURSES

These are our most popular courses, and are intended for anyone who is a beginner or an intermediate painter looking to improve or just have a go for the first time. Every course is different and our specific activities are dependent on the nature of the group and, of course, the weather. We vary the content to keep it lively and fun, whilst ensuring that you go home with work you’re proud of. As with all our courses, all the basic materials you might need are provided in the studio. However, feel free to bring any of your own materials if you wish. 

DETAILS / PRICING

• 7 days / 6 nights

• Inclusive Retreat Prices **SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICING
  • £1450/pp (Shared Deluxe Room - 2 separate beds or 1 large bed on request for couples, ensuite bathroom)
  • £1750 (Single Deluxe Room - 1 large bed, ensuite bathroom)

• Deposit to hold space = £450

• Max # Guests = 8

• * Guests traveling alone can choose the shared room and we match up based on guest profile. Rooms are spacious with separate beds and private bathrooms.
  * Final balance due 4 weeks before retreat start date.
  Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.
  

INCLUDED*:

Accommodation
Daily breakfast
Select Dinners and Lunches
Welcome Aperitivo
Pasta Making Lesson + Dinner
Wine Tasting Aperitivo with Sommeilier
Transfers from Chiusi railway station to the hotel
Transportation to/from day trips
Daily on-site art classes
Guided tours of area
Various day trips to regional towns
Use of art supplies
Tips & taxes

* airfare not included, selected meals during day-trips not included

DAY TRIPS & ACTIVITIES:

Chiusi - guided walking tour, Cathedral visit, Etruscan Museum, local market etc
Day-trip to larger regional, historic towns such as Orvieto, Arezzo - both with amazing fresco cycles
Half-day trips to smaller villages around area ( Lake Trasimeno , Castiglione del Lago, Citta della Pieve, etc)

LOCATION:

Countryside on border of Tuscany and Umbria
Nearest town: Chiusi, Tuscany
Nearest major airports: Fiumicino Airport (FCO - Rome), Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA - Pisa)
Nearest local airports: Sant'Egidio Airport (PEG - Perugia), Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR - Florence)
Nearest train station: Chiusi-Chianciano Terme
Transfers between the retreat and train station can be arranged at no charge on first and last day of retreat. Single and group airport transfers are possible and pricing discussed upon request. Train transfer from all airports is quite easy, and we will help guide you on the directions

SUGGESTED PACKING:

Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.

ART SUPPLIES ARE PROVIDED but feel free to bring any personal supplies you prefer
Comfortable shoes (for walking tours)
Plug adaptors / converters (standard EU plug)
PROVIDED AT HOTEL: hair dryers, linens, toiletries (shampoo/soap), wifi

7-DAY COURSE SAMPLE SCHEDULE*

DAY 1

    3:30 - 6:00 - Check-in

    6:00 - Aperitivo + Orientation

    7:00 - Dinner

DAY 2

    Breakfast

    9:30 - 12:30 STUDIO

    1:00 - Lunch

    3:00 - 6:00 STUDIO

    Dinner

DAY 3

    Breakfast

    DAYTRIP + Lunch

   Afternoon STUDIO

    Dinner

DAY 4

    Breakfast

    9:30 - 12:30 STUDIO

    1:00 - Lunch

    3:00 - 6:00 STUDIO

    Activity + Dinner

DAY 5

    Breakfast

    9:30 - 12:30 STUDIO

    1:00 - Lunch

    Afternoon STUDIO

    Afternoon Evening Activity Out

DAY 6

    Breakfast

    9:30 - 12:30 STUDIO

    1:00 - Lunch

    3:00 - 6:00 STUDIO

    Dinner Out

DAY 7

    Breakfast

    10:00 - Check out

*all activities and day-trips are weather permitting

FOR ALL OTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE REFER TO OUR FAQ PAGE