Siena, Italy
A journey in Tuscan Artistry
Spend two weeks living in Siena, Italy while taking workshops in the arts and co-working on creative projects
Program Dates:
August 6-19 2023
Creative Residency in the arts for professionals and enthusiasts.
Where
Siena, Italy.
Tuscany.
Theme
Painting, Art, Design, Culture.
Cost
$4,352.
All-inclusive housing, most meals and art instruction.
Duration
Two weeks
Unwind with a relaxing stay at an atmospheric Tuscan villa in the Italian countryside. Experience Tuscan artistry with daily immersion learning with Italian international art and culture workshops taught by locals and experts. Work independently on your own projects surrounded by a creative group. This curated art retreat guides you to rejuvenate and explore.
Your Journey Includes
Accommodations: Residence at a gorgeous historic and majestic Tuscan villa right outside of Siena. Private rooms are available.
Activities: Workshops in the arts taught by local and international experts. Access to the entire villa including studio and exhibition space.
Our Team: The AIP team will guide you through the entire experience.
Food and Drinks: Villa meals from the private estate, most ingredients sourced from the organic gardens and or other local sources.
Creative presentations: Lectures, critiques, and workshops by AIP leaders and teachers.
Internet: High-Speed wifi
Peace of Mind: International health insurance is provided for all of our participants.
Academic: Course credit for University students/educators *approved by your University
Highlights
– Residence at a gorgeous historic and sprawling Tuscan villa right outside of Siena to use as your muse and studio space
– Collaboration with a curious and diverse international community
– Workshops and discussions with creative professionals
– Culinary creations from the estate's organic gardens are farm-to-table multi-course dinners featuring Tuscan wine
– Specially curated presentations and experiences by trip leaders and local artists
– Thought-provoking conversations sparked by project-based discoveries
Your Art Immersion
Take a Course or work independently on any creative endeavor. Professionals in the arts, creatives of all disciplines, and curious individuals attend our trips.
– Draw Italy from life or your imagination
– Paint your surrounding and experience
– Study architecture and history of Italy
– Develop dynamic multidisciplinary projects
– Create Music, Poetry, or writing compositions
– Learn etching techniques and printmaking
Leonardo da Vinci, Brunelleschi, and other individuals integrated art, design, architecture, and engineering into culturally impactful works of art during the Italian Renaissance. Disciplines overlapped, various perspectives were encouraged. Our villa is a sanctuary for art-making and focus. We study the art, food, architecture, design, and culture of Italy with a holistic experience for all participants. We are a community supporting each other while continuing to learn.
Live Abroad for Two- Weeks
Learn about Art, Design and Culture from experts
Connect with an international creative community
Take a Course
Work Independently on any creative endeavor
AIP Italy is set on a large and beautiful villa right outside of Siena. The day you arrive, we gather for an aperitif, followed by a celebration dinner with Tuscan food and wine. The villa has a bar and restaurant and numerous indoor and outdoor spaces for exploring. The villa serves gorgeous breakfasts on a large loggia terrace overlooking an expansive garden. Our studio space at the villa is where we gather to learn more about each other, make presentations, and work. The entire villa is an exhibition space and workspace. Two large cloisters offer green space with corridors and numerous large rooms where participants can work and relax each day. Our lunches and dinners are shared dining experiences set in a beautiful outdoor space overlooking the cloister. Multi-course meals encourage you to relax and take time to enjoy each moment of the day. Each day is full of creative conversation, encouraging you to relax and energize your creative pursuits.
Personal transformation
Opening access to learning
Interconnected arts
Exceptional experiences
Creative community
Gorgeous work/ exhibition space
Design
Drawing, Painting
Narratives/ Writing
Architecture, Sculpture
Co- Work
Work independently on this journey while living in Italy. You don't need to be an artist to attend this trip!
– Workspace in Tuscany
– High-speed internet
– Creative community
– Dialogue and shared experience with an international community
Insider Access.
Insider access to gorgeous locations guided by industry experts. Learn from experts in the cultural arts, and locals. Work as a creative resident on self-directed pursuits in any discipline.
Learn collaboratively from industry experts.
Culture is best researched through hands-on learning and direct experience. AIP opens doors to art and culture to give you time and spaces to rejuvenate and create.
Find your creative community.
Connect to a vibrant community through transformative experiences. Live, work, learn and eat together. Catalyze your creativity with lifelong support for your transformation.
Itinerary
Day 1
– Arrivals at leisure to the villa; option to be picked up in Rome by private transport
– Unpack, relax, take a look around
– Welcome reception aperitif and celebration dinner
– Included meals: Dinner
Day 2
– Wake up in Tuscany for a gorgeous breakfast overlooking the garden loggia followed by a studio session with meet and greet
– Private tour of grounds guided by villa staff; and explore on your own
– Meet with your creative group to discuss goals and the immersion experience
– Start imagining, gathering, and finding inspiration for your project
– Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3
– Communal breakfast
– Intro workshops with instructors
– Lunch and time for relaxing and personal reflection
– Afternoon time to continue creating
– Aperitif followed by presentations from professors and AIP trip leaders; learn about their work, process, and creative topics
– Communal dinner
– Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4 & 5
– Communal breakfast
– Workshops to explore art within an Italian cultural context
– Lunch and time to exchange ideas with fellow participants
– Afternoon time for creating, relaxing, and personal reflection
– Travel to Siena for a guided tour and creative conversations
– Dinner in Siena and enjoy an evening in Siena at your leisure
– Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
– Breakfast at Villa
– Travel to Florence for a guided tour of local artist studios and an insider's perspective on the Renaissance city
– Behind-the-scenes tour led by a local artist and expert through the Duomo, Uffizi plus other cultural and artistic landmarks
– Lunch, recommendations from AIP provided
– Intimate visit to the workshop of a local gallery owner and print maker
– Dinner in Florence and return to villa
– Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7
– Communal breakfast, lunch and dinner at Villa
– Midterm review at AIP studio space; engage in creative conversation; receive input from fellow participants and instructors
– Set final goals for your project
– Mid-term celebration dinner
– Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8 & 9
– Communal breakfast, lunch and dinner at the villa
– Morning or afternoon workshop
– Make your own schedule; work on your project, relax, and reflect at the villa
– Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10
– Journey to Siena for a day of shopping at local vintage shops and artisan stores
– Stroll through the city, neighborhoods, each with its own flag and identity; a local expert will guide you through the city filled with history, fashion, and curiosities
– Return in the afternoon to continue working or relaxing
– Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11 & 12
– Communal breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the villa
– Make your own schedule; spend the day relaxing and reflecting at the villa, working on your projects, and attending workshops
– Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 13
– Final exhibition; view work and explore the grounds of the villa in the process
– Farewell dinner
– Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 14
– Departures at leisure; Option to take private transport back to Rome
– Included meals: Breakfast
Trip Details and Pricing
PRICE: $4,352
This experience includes almost everything you need.
*Rooms are all shared.
Private rooms are available for an extra fee based on availability.
Airfare is not included.
“There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the infinite passion of life.”
― Federico Fellini
Suggested Reading:
TRAVEL WRITING CLASSIC
Italian Journey,
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
HISTORY
Palladio's Rome,
Vaughan Hart and Peter Hicks
Tuscany in Mind,
Alive Leccese Powers
FICTION
The Divine Comedy,
Dante
NON FICTION
Heat,
Bill Buford