Open Air Workshops Susan Truitt - Current Events

Tuscany, Italy
Olive Harvest Season
Non-Instructed Workshop

November 5-12, 2011

Artist Fee - $1950*  
        single occupancy-private bath
         *Last minute special-$1750

                - $1400
        double occupancy of artists
  

              - $1600
        single occupancy-shared bath 

 

  One guest per artist/No Fee*
*Includes breakfasts.  Guests are responsible
for included dinner costs.  Offer is available as
accommodations are available!

8/23/2011  Only 1 private apartment

                    suitable for a couple

                    remaining.  Please hurry!

 

 Open to 8-10 participants.

 
          
     Immerse yourself for a week in the perfect artistic environment during a most special time...the season of the olive harvest!  Join a small group of artists and enjoy artistic camaraderie in a relaxed setting!  Paint, live, and relax in the most classically beautiful area of Tuscany...and if you like, join in the olive harvest.  Choose your favorite medium and experience the painting and cultural experience of a lifetime!
     Early November is a wonderfully unique time to travel to Tuscany.  Most assuredly the nights are cool, which makes a fire in the fireplace of your apartment welcome and cosy.  And, the days can be glorious!  Couple this with the fact that you can participate in the olive harvest and have the possibility of taking home new oil.  
     We will paint in several different locations of this great area.  Painting sights will include countryside locations, small hilltop villages, and of course the lovely grounds of our accommodation, inclusive of the olive grove!  Should there be a rainy day, we have a sheltered location to continue painting.

Accommodations, Meals, Payments and Conditions

     You will spend 6 days and 7 nights living in a 600 year old farmhouse in the heart of the historically recognized Val D'Orcia region of Tuscany.  Participants will enjoy private bedrooms in apartments of varying sizes.  Most bathrooms are private as well.  All apartments include kitchens and are updated and comfortable, while still retaining their original charm.  The grounds of our accommodations include not only the olive grove, but also a vineyard, vegetable garden, and fantastic views of the surrounding countrydies.  Right out your door there are multiple venues for making great paintings.
     You will be provided daily with a typical Italian breakfast.  You will enjoy wine and the local Pecorino cheese upon arrival and three authentic Tuscan dinners (wine included!).  One very special lunch is also included in the price.  On days that we paint at the farmhouse, a light lunch will be provided.  When we are at a hilltown location, there are places to grab a quick bite or to have a leisurely lunch.  In the evenings, the group will gather to discuss the day and generally just to have a good time!  On nights that dinner is not provided, generally the group gathers to have dinner...pot luck style, or to dine at one of the great restaurants in the area.  But if you want to call it a day and just relax by your fireplace (all apartments have fireplaces) that is your option.  The beauty of a retreat is choosing your own pace, but having fellow artists present to share a great experience!  If you'd like to share the experience with a non-painting partner, guests sharing the same room with a painter are welcome for a reduced fee.

Included:  7 nights single occupancy lodging
                Daily breakfast
                Wine and cheese upon arrival
                3 dinners typical to the region
                Tour of an organic farm with lunch
                Pasta making class
                Tour of a working local farm and
                  tasting of their products
                Many other optional activities

Not included:  Airfare
                      Ground transportation*

*Please note that transportation from and to the Rome Fiumicino airport to the car rental agency in Chiusi (for those wanting a rental car) or to our accommodation can be provided upon arrival for approximately $70 one way.  Exact fee is dependent on the number of participants using this service.  In order to fully experience the area, it is highly recommended that participants have their own car.  There is so much to see and do...and this is the best way to have full access to the area.  Affordable car rental can be found at www.kemwel.com .  However, ground transportation of artists to painting sights and included meals can be provided for an additional small fee of $175.  As transportation space is limited, guests of artists must have their own means of daily transportation.

Artist Fee      $1950/single occupancy
Guest Fee      $700/sharing with artist-
                             same meals included  

     Accommodations in apartments will be assigned based on availability on a "first come/first served" basis.  Every effort will be made to insure your maximum comfort and privacy.
      A deposit of $600 will hold your place.  Deposit is refundable until 6 months prior to retreat commencement.  After this date, money will be refunded only if your place in the workshop can be filled.  Every effort will be made to fill this vacancy.  All refunds will be less a $100 administrative fee.  Trip insurance is strongly recommended.  This can be affordably purchased at www.insuremytrip.com .
     Final payment is due 90 days prior to workshop commencement.  Invoices for payments due will be sent to participants in a timely manner.

Payments may be made by check payable to:
         Open Air Italy, LLC

Mail payments and registration to:
         Open Air Italy
         107 Lansing Island Drive
         Indian Harbour Beach, FL  32937

Payments may also be made by credit card using PayPal.  All PayPal payments must include a 3% surcharge at the time of payment.  This fee only covers PayPal's fee.