My art retreat in central Italy
Spend a week this summer pursuing your art skills in the spectacular Sabina countryside, “a better Tuscany,” only an hour from Rome! Nestled in the hills of lower Sabina, the former convent of Sant’Andrea in Collevecchio (Rieti Province), originally dates to the XVI c
For more information look at the Q&A site or write to marina@marinabuening.com or anitarome@hotmail.com
Your retreat in one glance
in the middle of the most beautiful countryside
“If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” Edward Hopper 1882-1967
The place
The former convent of Sant’Andrea in Collevecchio (Rieti Province), originally dates to the XVI c and presently accommodates guests in single, double, or triple rooms, with a common dining room, a charming, shady courtyard, an outside terrace, and a large chapel, now studio. The convent grounds and surroundings have breathtaking views.
Your teachers
Marina Buening and Anita Guerra, professors of Fine Arts at Temple University Rome, conduct morning and afternoon sessions. They both have been teaching painting, drawing and sculpture at university level for many years. Anita's Website, Marina's website
What you will do
They include plein-air landscape painting overlooking the stunning Tiber Valley and Monte Soratte, sketching the locals while sipping aperitifs in town, watercolor studies while relaxing in the neighborhood pool, and more substantial, exploratory, mixed media and collage projects done in the studio.
who can Participate
This seven-day intense and fun art workshop is open to adult participants of all levels, whether beginners eager to discover their talents, or intermediate and mature artists who want to develop specific mediums, improve their skills, or learn new ones in a beautiful and authentic setting.
additional features
Start your day relaxed and peaceful enjoying a locally sourced home-made breakfast under the pergola. The convent property is surrounded by oak, fruit, and olive trees and its own vineyard, providing inspiration for observational painting and drawing. In the afternoons, we cool off while making color sketches by the town swimming pool, for a combination of work and play. You can choose to learn new techniques according to our accurate instructions, or paint freely, developing a particular vision and style.
A local chef provides delicious, wholesome Mediterranean meals, organic and mostly vegetarian. Tasty options are available for participants with dietary restrictions.
On a creative vacation with Marina Buening and Anita Guerra, you will engage in immersive but fun drawing and painting projects, discover innovative creative processes, and learn to listen to your inner muse. Give yourselves this unique gift to learn and improve your art skills with interesting, like-minded people from all over the world. As a matter of fact, at the same time as our art retreat, Marina´s husband Maurizio Cagnoli, a certified instructor of the Bates Method, is running another workshop at the convent with a group of international participants. Evenings will give everyone a chance to mingle and make new friends.
The time
from the 30th of June to the 7th of July
The workshop takes place at the beginning of the Italian summer, an ideal time to enjoy art-making on site! It is still pleasant enough to work outside and the thick stone walls of the former convent provide a cool respite from the afternoon sun for some indoor time in the studio.
The place
YOUR Teachers
"As practice makes perfect, I cannot but make progress; each drawing one makes, each study one paints, is a step forward." Vincent van Gogh 1853 - 1890..
For more information look at the Q&A site or write to marina@marinabuening.com or anitarome@hotmail.com
the FOOD AND lodging
I hope with all my heart there will be painting in heaven. Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot (Corot adored the Sabina countryside)
The course
Inside and the rooms
How Do you reach the place?
You can fly to Rome, Fiumicino, and at the airport, you take the train which goes directly to the Sabina. But we recommend that you arrive at least one day before in Rome to get over your jet lag. You could also stay a couple of days in the capital to see the Eternal City. We can assist you with your sightseeing program. We will pick you up at the closest train station near Collevecchio, in the countryside. We´ll provide details once you book. Look at our Q&A page!
Join the art retreAt
Don't miss this unique oportunity to paint and draw in one of the most beautiful but still undiscovered areas of Italy, together with two very experienced artists and teachers!
“His mind contained several millions of facts, packed too closely together for the light breeze of the imagination to draw through the mass.” Henry James, Pandora
What is included
The price is inclusive of all food and lodging in single, double, or triple occupancy for seven nights, five-six hours per day of instruction, with demonstrations of techniques and methods, group and individual reviews, basic art supplies (aqueous-based paints, brushes, India ink, pastels, pencils, paper, collage materials), equipment for the studio and plein-air painting, three home-cooked meals a day provided by a local chef, wine and non-alcoholic beverages included, as well as afternoon happy hour (aperitivi) a wine or oil tasting event, and entrance to the local pool when scheduled.
WHAT YOU TAKE HOME
A lot of beautiful art work,
memories for your life, instruction, and ideas you can go on to work at home, new friends.
A state of deep satisfaction...
For more information look at the Q&A site or write to marina@marinabuening.com or anitarome@hotmail.com
Testimonials
What they say
“
“ The introduction was great, we immediately felt well looked after with aprons and sketchbooks. The first lesson was also simple enough for everyone to join in but had enough depth for advanced students.
There was a huge range of possibilities with watercolor, acrylic, pencils and ink. There was always a lot of basic knowledge that you got along the way, and a different topic every day. For example, working with these wonderful trees. We got intensively involved with them, which could then be seen in the vibrancy of the results.
So it could have gone on for another week. But it was wonderful, I always knew I could ask questions and was sure to receive support and guidance. The exchange of ideas was also very inspiring.
Sybille Rieling
- Participant in the Summer course 2023-
"It was relaxing that the atmosphere from the beginning was welcoming and without any pressure or expectation to perform. Also, the pedagogical concept I really liked: to start with easy things and then do more complicated work helped me not get stressed but develop my skills quickly. The group was great and a lot of fun, which also helped me feel relaxed and open to everything offered. The lovely environment, beautiful landscape, and the aperitivo on the piazza in the middle of the village made the course exceptional."
Irene Hoffman
- Participant in the Summer course 2023 -
The cost and the dates
The course runs from June 30th to July 7th, 2024. The first and last day are for arrivals and departures.
Cost: 2.500 €, Early bird (by April 15th)2.250€
After paying a non-refundable deposit of 250 € by April 30, 2024, your place is secured.
Many of your questions will be answered here. Please look also the Terms and Conditions.
The flight, the train to Collevecchio and overstay in Rome are not included
For more information look at the Q&A site or write to marina@marinabuening.com or anitarome@hotmail.com
2024 Marina BueningVia Torquato Benedetti 6, Montebuono (RI), 02040, ItalyTerms and Conditions