capture the elegant words and images of Italy’s Renaissance in fine art collage
with artist/instructor Barbara J. Dunham Cortona, Italy April 21-28, 2012
Spaces limited, enroll early to ensure your participation!
Capture the words and images of Renaissance Italy! Be immersed in the culture of Tuscany while creating fine art collage
Study the beautiful fonts and text, images, art and architecture of the Italian Renaissance; capture that elegance and style by creating collage that transcends craft to fine art. Explore the history of the Italian Renaissance as it relates to fine art collage; visit a local antique market and gather papers, memorabilia and elements; view the architecture and countryside; absorb the nuances of local culture, food and wine; gain inspiration; then return to the studio to incorporate these experiences into your fine art collage. Learn new techniques, “play with fire” how to burn/manipulate/distress your papers, explore inexpensive substitutes for pricier gels and pastes….all of this while surrounded by the Tuscan hills…can it get any better???
Picture Yourself...
among the sights and sounds of beautiful and romantic Tuscany: olive groves, vineyards, centuries-old buildings, winding streets, texture and vibrant sunlight.
Feel Yourself...
in the warm ambiance of Cortona, overlooking Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana, originally fortified by the Umbrians, claimed by the Etruscans, touched by the Renaissance, almost unchanged for centuries, one of Tuscany's jewels.
Experience...
the joy of creating collage in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with the expert instruction of a nationally know artist and instructor and the camaraderie of a small group of learners.
Enjoy...
great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona.
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona April 21, 2012**** Instruction in the studio Seven nights three-star accommodations in historic Cortona** (Private room & bath) Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano All meals*** (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner) Daily wine tasting opportunities Day trip to Florence & the "David" Trip to Arezzo Antiques market Tuscan cooking class & dinner A farewell wine tasting dinner
**Included with "Casa Santa Margherita" plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. Italian breakfsat simply includes coffees, brioche, toast, milk, juices, cheese. ****Specific departure time only; to be announced *All-inclusive plans are "Casa Santa Margherita" plans only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Casa Santa Margherita proud partner of Toscana Americana Workshops since 2003
Visit Casa Santa Margherita online
About this workshop...
Day One Sunday
Group shopping trip to Arezzo antiques market! Introductions, instructor outlines class goals and distributes booklet containing brief history and cultural comments about Cortona, surrounding area and Italian Renaissance; discusses designs of that period; distributes class supplies; class will be working with a limited color palette using Golden’s Fluid Acrylics and gessos. Remainder of class will be spent painting papers to be used in their collages.
Day Two Monday
This class will deal with textures, both actual and implied. Materials will include gels, pastes and other texture mediums. Inexpensive substitutes will be explained. Class will learn how to make their easiest-ever stamps. Remainder of class will be devoted to stamping, distressing and texturing previously painted papers and additional papers.
Day Three Tuesday
Taking the stockpile of elements, the class will begin by doing a simple, strata landscape learning about value and texture in their composition. Next will be an abstract design bringing in more elements and learning about abstract composition. Day Four Wednesday -Florence
Field trip. Class is encouraged to take photographs of architecture and countryside for reference. Also encouraged to collect memorabilia (brochures, postcards, paper, menus, ticket stubs, found items) to be used in class. Includes visit to view the "David".
Day Five Thursday
Class will begin with demonstration of burning paper (raku, fumage etc) to further enhance their papers. Class will choose a theme for their next collage taking inspiration from the architecture, Italian Renaissance, along with the food, wine, art and music of the countryside.
Day Six Friday
The last piece done by the class will concentrate on the written word---fonts, antique book pages, individual handwriting of student as both a memory piece from Tuscany and a tribute to the influences they have experienced. Class will end with a critique of students’ work.
Itinerary
Saturday - Arrival in Cortona
-Escorted group travel from Florence (time & place to be announced) -Arrival and Check-in in Cortona
-7:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting.
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona at La Loccanda del Loggiatto
Sunday - Arezzo/Cortona
-9:00 -12:00p Morning visit to Arezzo antiques market
-12:00p Lunch
-2:00-6:30p Afternoon Workshop
-7:00p Wine tasting at IL Pozzo
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Monday - Cortona -9:00-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Picnic Lunch
-2:00-6:00p Afternoon Workshop
-6:30p Wine tasting
-7:00p Dinner in Cortona
-9:00p Optional evening session
Tuesday - Cortona -9:00-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Wednesday - Florence -Day trip to Florence with Visit to Accademia "David" & lunch.
-4:13p Train to Cortona
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Thursday - Cortona -9:00a-1230p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-2:30-5:00p Afternoon Workshop
-5:45 Tuscan cooking class & dinner
Friday - - Cortona -9:00-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Workshop or free afternoon
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Saturday - Departure
- Morning Check-out
- Departure from Cortona or we can help you plan an extended stay!
Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate.
Barbara J. Dunham
Meet Barabara J. Dunham...
Barbara states, “My earliest art memory is around 3 years of age so I cannot recall a time when art was not an integral part of my consciousness.” Barbara is a self-taught artist living and working in Atlanta, Georgia. She began her art journey at the age of 6 at John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana continuing with stops in Germany, Delaware, Colorado, back to Indiana and ultimately to Atlanta. Private lessons and classes kept the creative juices flowing, but it was when she took her first collage class in 1999 that she found her true passion. Since then, she has studied with Nita Leland (Ohio), Mary Todd Beam (Tennessee), Carrie Burns Brown (South Carolina); Mira Lehr (NYC) and Cecil Touchon (Texas) in addition to local Atlanta instructors. She has also served as President of the Atlanta Collage Society for the last four years growing the organization and searching for show venues. Barbara has conducted classes and workshops in Atlanta, GA; Fairhope, AL; Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC; and Austin, TX. Barbara shows her work with the collage society, her own personal show each November in Atlanta and most recently a solo show in Austin, Texas. Barbara states, “I have concentrated on collage for over a decade and my goal is to create with collage elements a visually elegant story that is mysterious and makes the viewer search beneath the surface.”
“A great workshop is one in which you come away with new and exciting art as well as useful and inspiring new information and techniques. The collage workshop with Barbara Dunham more than met these criteria. Barbara's generosity in sharing her knowledge and expertise in a collegial environment made for a memorable weekend.” Donna Birdwell, Austin, TX May 2011
"Barbara Dunham is a one of a kind teacher. She is so alive and passionate about collage that it is contagious. She is wonderful at finding who you are so you can develop your own style. I have been taking courses from Barbara over the last five years and it has changed my life. I realize that collage is truly my love of all other mediums and I have Barbara to thank for that."
Angela Inscoe, Charleston, SC 2011
Participant Supply List
Coming soon!
About Cortona
Cortona is one of the true jewels of the Tuscan “hill towns.” Cortona, which is often called the “City of Art,” has its origin as an Etruscan city that pre-dates Roman times with sections of its walls dating back some 2500 years. As is typical of Tuscan hill-towns, Cortona is a walled city that, for purposes of defense, was built atop a prominent geographical point. The stone buildings and streets not only have the romance, style, and charm that are particular to Tuscany, but also speak of the lives and times Cortona has witnessed. An encounter with Cortona is an encounter with music & art, with history and with spirituality. Getting to know this timeless city is a real rediscovery of our past. Cortona offers testimony to its history as well as an enchanting view of the landscape enclosed by Lake Trasimeno and the Apennine mountains.
