Southern Spain
A Dream in Southern Spain: Carmona and Seville
Your Journey
Program Dates: July 22 – August 4, 2021
Spend two magical weeks in southern Spain, in the relaxed city of Carmona, right outside of Seville. Here, where sensual traditions are as ancient as the sun kissed earth, and where olive oil and wine, an intrinsic part of life, are enjoyed heartily from day time to late night dinners. Carmona is one of the oldest cities in Andalucia and is also the setting for many of the world’s most well known Operas; such as, the Barber of Seville and Carmen.
AIP Carmona is set at a beautiful historic property right in the city center, so that we may participate and integrate into the community in meaningful ways. We have studio space, courtyards, exhibition rooms, and ample time to explore the welcoming Andalusian city of Carmona. Each day, wake up to a lovely breakfast at the hotel, and, depending on your course of study, have class or head to the studio. Our meals are shared dining experiences set at the hotel and in local restaurants. Multi-course dinners encourage you to relax and take time for enjoyment. There are day trips into Seville, known for its incredible architecture; along with Cordoba, famous for its mosque cathedral and charming labyrinthian neighborhoods. Quiet and quaint means there is a lot to do and make; observing ancient structures and scenes, while listening to courtyard waterfalls and the sounds of local life.
Highlights
– Residence at a lovely boutique hotel in the center of Carmona, the quaint village right outside of Seville
– Exclusive tours of local artist studio's, museums, workshops, and galleries
– Excursion to Seville, the grand city of cultural and dramatic arts
– Guided tours of Carmona
– Studio and exhibition space in the city center. Exhibition opportunities at city hall
– Culinary experiences at local restaurants, famous for tapas and Andalusian wine
– Specially curated presentations and experiences by trip leaders and locals
Itinerary
Day 1
– Arrivals at leisure to hotel; independently or meet in Seville for private transport to the hotel in Carmona.
– Welcome reception, aperitif, and celebration dinner
– Included meals: dinner
Day 2
– Wake up in the city center and enjoy a luxurious breakfast
– Explore the city of Carmona on a private walking tour
– Meet with your creative group to discuss goals and the your immersion experience
– Included meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3, 4 & 5
– Communal breakfast, lunch and dinner, exchanging ideas and excitement with other guests
– Workshops in art and culture with time to work, or relax and do personal reflections
– Meet for an aperitif followed by presentations by professors and AIP trip leaders about their work and creative topics.
– Included meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6
– Travel to Seville for a guided tour of local artist studios, and an insider's perspective on the city.
– Independently explore the city and share meals with new friends in town.
– Included meals: breakfast
Day 7
- Mid program review of your work in a community setting
– Explore your work while we host a mid term exhibition of your project at the studio and in the city at large, setting future goals to reach on the trip and reflecting in creative conversation
– Mid term celebration dinner
– Included meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 8 & 9
– Spend the day relaxing and reflecting in Arles. *shopping and time to reflect is a must
– Included meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 10
– Journey to Nimes to explore art and culture
– Included meals: breakfast
Day 11 & 12
– Workshops, art making, and living well. Work towards your creative goals, preparing for the final exhibition. Spend the day relaxing and reflecting and attending workshops.
– Included meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 13
– Explore the work of the group for the final exposition.
– Farewell dinner
– Included meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 14
– Departures at leisure or take group transport back to Seville in the morning.
– Included meals: breakfast
Your Journey Includes
Our Team: the AIP team guides you through the entire experience
Food and Drinks: all meals served at the hotel and vetted local eateries. On travel days, you will dine independently.
Arrival and Final Celebration Dinners
Accommodations: residence at a gorgeous spacious traditional property in Carmona's city center. Access to the entire hotel.
Ground Transportation: Private airport transfers and Carmona transportation * Flight not included in price
Activity Fees
Day trips to Seville and Cordoba
Studio and Exhibition Space: Cultural Arts Center and City Hall work and exhibition spaces.
Creative Presentations, lectures, critiques, and workshops by AIP leaders and instructors
Peace of Mind: International Health Insurance is provided for all of our participants
Your Art Practice
Study contemporary and traditional methods of drawing, painting and writing in Andalucia. Learn to paint, draw, and think critically. The focus of the trip is being in the moment and enjoying your time while learning and connecting to the world. Return home with a body of work produced, and broadened cultural perspective. We allow participants to make work in a variety of formats, exhibited in the city.
Make art each day, guided by intellectual and skill-building principles. You may take a class, or work independently on your own projects.
Create writing samples
Draw Carmona, Seville, and Cordoba from life or your imagination
Paint your surrounding and experience
Study architecture and history
Make color samples
Make print designs
Exhibit your work to the public
Trip Details and Pricing
PRICE: $3,900
“I would sooner be a foreigner in Spain than in most countries. How easy it is to make friends in Spain!”
― George Orwell,
Homage to Catalonia
Our Spanish Community
We engage with the community and local makers and artists, inviting locals to dine with us and work with local artists to do our final exhibition and showcase.
Art student, Professional Artist, Working professional who likes to co-work, any person with curiosity and a spirit for adventure.
We have people who want more guidance, and others who want to interact with the group but reserve separate time to work on their own projects. Either way is a perfect fit to experience a trip with AIP.
Suggested Reading:
CLASSIC
Don Quixote,
Miguel de Cervantes, 1605.
FICTION
For Whom The Bell Tolls,
Ernest Hemingway, 1940.
NON FICTION
Travelers' Tales: Spain,
Lucy McCauley, 1995.
“I would sooner be a foreigner in Spain than in most countries. How easy it is to make friends in Spain!”
― George Orwell,
Homage to Catalonia
Other Details
Other cool things to do:
Visit Seville any day of the week, either by bus or taxi. We are close to many other amazing towns and places. Cordoba is a fantastic day trip.
What is Flamenco? How is Andalusia connected to Opera?
Flamenco is an emotional and romantic Spanish art form combining dance and music. Originating in ancient Spain, this tradition is passed on through communities, dancers range from age two up, it’s truly a community oriented art form. Performance is integrated into Andalusian culture, all of Southern Spain is rich in passion and pageantry. You can tour many places that inspired many lyrics and settings for writers. More than one hundred operas are set in Seville! This is mythical and romantic place, will surely inspire and intrigue you and your creative spirit.
Travel Arrangements:
AIP will email you when it is time to get your ticket. We will complete much planning in advance, and will email this to you ninety or more days before your tip. We will send more specific details once you sign up for the trip. You will be met at the airport, and we will all go to the hotel together.
Weather:
Spain is hot in the summer and can get cool at night. Higher temperatures are around afternoon time, when it’s hot in the sun and much cooler in the shade. Modesty is respected in Spanish culture, especially when visiting churches. We recommend nice looking clothes for your everyday experience. Scarves are helpful when visiting cities if you plan on attending churches or museums.