“My life’s mission is to be inspired and inspire others. The Tuscan landscape has been a constant inspiration in my work. My work is a feast for the eyes as well as power for the soul.“
Do you want to push the limits on your design and mosaic skills?
Create a personal expression under the watchful eye of award winning mosaic artist, Susan Wechsler, as she gently guides you through your own creative process.
This mixed media mandala workshop includes 5 days of instruction to create a unique expression inspired by her most recent Medicine Wheels series featured in her Solo Loveland Museum Show.
You can purchase a curated mosaic kit that Susan will pull together just for you. Or you can create your own mosaic project with Susan's guidance. Either way, she will work individually with every student via text to discuss their vision, inspirations and palette before the workshop to ensure that they bring everything they will need to complete a Masterpiece.
Level: No previous experience necessary, this workshop is for everyone.
Medicine Wheel kit fee US$635.00 is suggested but not required. You can pull your own palette together for this workshop.
(spouse or Non-participating guests welcome)
Spiritual Medicine Wheels in Tuscany
Susan will put together an one-of-a-kind medicine wheel kit just for YOU!
It will look something similar to the example shown on the right, but there will be a lot of room for self expression.
Your kit will include:
- 18" to 20" circle substrate with an additional 2 circle layered centered or off centered- your choice.
-Magic Putty: choice of 5 colors
-Enough Gems, Crystals, Calcite, Vintage beads, Metal accents, stones... to complete your mosaic.
- You are always encouraged to add your own treasures to make it uniquely you!
- and of course we will go hunting in Tuscany for materials to add to make it feel like Italy.
Cost: $635 (ordered directly from Susan and each participant brings to Italy)
Spiritual Medicine Wheels in Tuscany
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 mosaic art in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with the camaraderie of a small group of enthusiastic Artists.
Enjoy...
great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona.
Susan Wechsler
Meet Susan Wechsler
Susan's newest series, was inspired by the MEDICINE WHEELS that are used as a tool by the American Indians for health & healing; learning & teaching. There are common themes that are taught as evidence of a higher level of knowledge in the spiritual world. These elements are not seen in her work but rather experienced through her use of color and natural materials to create an emotional reaction. The CIRCLE substrate is a common symbol used to represent connectedness of everything in life. Creating your own piece is good energy for you, a feast for your eyes & nourishment for your soul.
Susan has a BFA from the University of Michigan in sculpture, and an MFA from NYU in costume design. She is a mixed-media mosaic artist, and every piece created begins with the gathering of discarded treasures to form a 'palette' that is then used to decorate a hand-made substrate. From there, she surrenders to process and lets the piece unfold as fast as her hands can keep up with my creative mind. This is the art process Susan both works in and teaches to create fine art mosaic pieces.
Susan Wechsler week program
(Wednesday to Wednesday is the intended period, May 25 - June 1, 2022)
Day 1 - Meet-up at Florence airport and travel to/Arrive to Cortona. Departure form the Florence airport is about noon, and we will be in Cortona about 2:00p. Welcome & free afternoon
Day 2 - Will be a full studio day, with two sessions, morning and afternoon. We will be well on our way to creating our vision.
Day 3 - Will be a full studio day, with two sessions, morning and afternoon, at this point the designs are well established and the day will be spent executing.
Day 4 - Will be a full studio day, with two sessions, morning and afternoon.
Day 5 - We will go on a full-day trip to visit the Niki de Saint Phalle's Tarot Garden mosaic sculpture park. Optional evening session (after dinner at hotel).
Day 6 - studio day (two sessions)
Day 7 - Our final full studio day, with two sessions, morning and afternoon, we will grout our MASTERPIECES!
Day 8 - Departure day. Escorted Group Travel to Florence airport departs at 8:00a.
NOTE: All above times are approximate. Itinerary may change to accommodate seasonal openings or other needs.
Day 8 - Cortona -Morning Check-out -8:00a departure from Cortona
Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate. Note: Transfers are provided only for programmed meals and activities away from the hotel. Note: All guests are responsible for handling their own luggage/baggage....we suggest to pack light. Note: No refunds are given for any unused aspects of the itinerary or for any activities outside the above itinerary.
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted Group travelFlorence airport to Cortona on May 25, 2022**** Escorted Group travel Cortona to Florence airport on June 1, 2022**** Instruction in the studio
Seven nights accommodations in historic Cortona**
(Private or shared room & bath) Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano All meals (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner) Daily wine tasting opportunities Full-day Visit toNiki de Saint Phalle's Tarot Garden!
Tuscan Cooking Class & Dinner
A farewell wine tasting dinner
**Included with Hotel plans only. See details. ****Specific departure time from Florence airport only at 12:00 noon May 25, 2022 Specific departure time from Cortona on departure day at 8:00am June 1, 2022 *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
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
Covid-19 Protocols and Safety Measures To respect our local host communities/countries and to ensure the safety and health of our guests and participants we follow the safety measures and protocols in place by our host communities/countries at the time of any given workshop or program or tour. These measures and protocols may vary and or change from time to time as well as during the course of any given workshop or program or tour and we will adapt to and abide by official safety measures and protocols. All of our guests and participants, without exception, are expected to adapt to and abide by official safety measures and protocols during any given workshop or program or tour in which they are participating. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face masks are the responsibility of each guest or participant. Health documents such as proof of vaccination or inoculation or other required by a host country, such as Italy for example, are the sole responsibility of each guest or participant. We strongly suggest all such documents are carried on-person at all times during any given workshop or program or tour in which they are participating. Persons who may be in an at-risk category or state of health are suggested to not participate.
Patrick Mahoney (Miami University BA'80, MA'82) lives in Cortona where he continues a thirty-year career in the field of Arts & Entertainment producing events, workshops and tours and providing opportunities to share the Italy experience with travelers, artists and people who share his interests for foods, wine, art, culture. Patrick's passion is to conceive and realize various ways in which the human spirit can express and demonstrate its capacity to create. His ability to fearlessly think, conceive, and work "out of the box" has earned him the attention of artists & musicians, colleges & universities, public & private organizations, and business and industry. Patrick brings integrity and a unique vision to Toscana Americana and he is committed to realizing the opportunity for participants to create in an atmosphere of peace, joy, respect and mutual support. As a "slow traveler" and a supporter of "slow food" Mr. Mahoney rides trains, walks, lingers over lunch, dinner or a cup of espresso, stops to smell the roses and savors the sensory feast wherever he is!
