Textiles, Text & Treasures Putting Tuscany in Our Hands with artist/instructor Sandy Webster Cortona, Italy May 25 - June 1, 2011
Join artist and workshop instructor Sandy Webster for a week of journaling based on our time and experience in Tuscany using a variety of materials such as cloth, papers, threads and the images made from our gathered treasures.
Take advantage of the land of Tuscany to create highly tactile journals that hold the marking of your time spent in this beautiful area. A workshop for beginners to advanced students, this class is filled with a variety of ways to record a travel experience… and once home, the journal will be a strong reference for later artworks.
Using cloth and papers as a foundation we will assemble pages of writings, stitches and weavings that record our surroundings. We will take notes in a literal and evocative way of our interactions with the place and people of Tuscany using a variety of techniques. Materials not brought by the instructor will be gathered spontaneously during the week from around Cortona as well as small excursions and field trips into the city and countryside.
The resulting books will be filled with not only the memories of our Italian experience but the many techniques learned in the process. All in beautiful journals that invite the hand and open the mind to the many interpretations there are to record time, place and memory.
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 and mixed media 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.
About this workshop...
Day One: We will decide the size of each student’s book and gather the fabrics, papers and threads to be used. Materials for writing and illustrating will also be discussed and organized around individual projects. Lots of discussion and exchange of ideas on this opening day.
Day Two: We will begin assembling the pages, learn how to make fabrics into book cloth and start making the various types of pockets for holding newly acquired treasures and small boxes that can fit into the spine area for small momentos of the trip to Tuscany. Students will learn how to spin papers of writings into threads to use during the week in weaving and stitching.
Day Three: A trip into the countryside to gather soils to take back to the studio for making our own pigments to fix “place” onto our books and some quick field sketching and mark making. We will continue stitching and writing on journal pages.
Day Four: A trip to Florence and a visit to the Uffizi Gallery for additional inspiration and gathering of materials for our books. A trip to a vineyard could also be part of our time out of the studio.
Day Five: Back in the studio, we can look over our treasures and discuss ways to fit them between the covers and try our hand at a “pop-up” element and small pages of scrolls and hidden bundles.
Day Six: Our last day together we will put the final touches on the books and share our efforts with one another. And perhaps a final drawing using one of the lovely red wines from the area.
Note: Studios will stay open for students to experiment with the techniques learned during the week so bring extra papers and cloth.
Sandy Webster click to enlarge
Sandy Webster click to enlarge
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Rome to Cortona May 25, 2011**** Instruction in the classroom and on location 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 trips to Florence A farewell wine tasting dinner **Included with "Hotel" plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. See details. ****Specific departure time from Florence airport only; time to be announced, return train ticket to Florence provided (not escorted) *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans A, C, E, G and Hostel plans I & K only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Angela Lucani was born and raised in Cortona and never tires of living within the walls of this vibrant Tuscan hilltown! She trained as an elementary school teacher and taught in various locals within Cortona from its mountain villages to the growing post-war part of Cortona known as Camucia. Angela has always been passionate about Tuscan cooking, which she began to learn at an early age aiding her mother in the kitchen. She maintains respect for local cooking traditions and recipes and shares that with Italians and foreign visitors through cooking classes conducted both in Italy and in America. She has extensive knowledge of Cortona's various areas, from the mountains to the fertile Val di Chiana, and continues to learn about its long and colorful history. She is also passionate about travel and enjoys learning about and experiencing customs, traditions and characteristics of other countries, cultures & people. Her travels destinations have included the United States, England, Egypt, South America, France, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Greece. She enjoys serving as a bridge between visitors to Tuscany and the local culture.
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!
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.
Travel with fellow artists, family & friends! In addition to Non-participating guest options, did you know that other workshops are offered this same week! Enjoy the experience together while immersed in different topics! View calendar for details!
