LUCCA, ITALY
May 17, 2008 to May 27, 2008
Paint, Cook, Eat, Explore the Tuscan Countryside

Sandra Kaplan will teach this painting workshop. Sandra enjoys teaching with the goal of helping develop each artist’s unique vision, while expressing the character of individual locations.

We stay at a restored 15th century farmhouse on the largest undivided historic estate in Italy, nestled in the mountains above Lucca. The Estate provides an ideal painting setting amongst 1000 acres of lush gardens, vineyards and olive groves.

Our 10 day workshop concentrates on plein air painting (in the medium of your choice). A minibus transports us through the Tuscan countryside, and we visit unexpected gardens, villas, rustic wineries and olive mills, un-restored ruins, majestic cypress trees, renaissance walls and medieval town centers.

Nearby Lucca is a walled city off the main tourist circuit in Italy, yet it is of enormous historic interest. It is famous for its food and according to the New York Times “is known for the “best food” in Tuscany”. Because of its historic prosperity as a center for banking and the robust silk trade during the Renaissance and later centuries, Lucca developed a unique food tradition and it is famous for traditional egg based pasta.

On days students paint at the farmhouse, lunch will be eaten under the pergola. Evenings are spent encouraging and learning from each other over an aperitif. Special events also may be included, perhaps a musical concert in the Duomo or a retrospective of a local artist’s work. Besides painting, we are able to participate in two cooking classes.

Sample Schedule

DAY ONE
Depart for Italy.

DAY TWO
Arrival. Welcome sparkling wine & hors d’oeuvres on the terrace; settle in; dinner under the pergola. Introduction and review of the week, discussion of goals, etc.

DAY THREE
‘At home’ day. The group may paint around the house, Selva, in the olive groves, among the grapevines, or many other places on the estate. Dinner at a winery with views.

DAY FOUR
Introduction to Lucca; guided cultural & ‘high spots’ tour; walk on the walls, followed by painting opportunities or shopping. Lunch in Lucca*.

DAY FIVE
‘At home’. Lunch instruction & participation in cooking. Later, painting may be done anywhere on the grounds or surroundings. Dinner at sidewalk restaurant...traditional yet innovative.

DAY SIX
All day painting at one of the Baroque villas and gardens in the Lucchese hills. Picnic lunch.

DAY SEVEN
‘At home’, continue painting on site. In the afternoon, a tour of the estate winery, antique olive press and grounds.

DAY EIGHT
An excursion to Cutigliano, one of the most charming hilltowns; all day to explore and paint. Lunch in Cutigliano* and pizza for dinner.

DAY NINE
‘At home’; in the late afternoon, begin dinner preparation.

DAY TEN
Return to Lucca to continue painting, do some shopping, sip a cappuccino, pick up souvenirs. Lunch in Lucca*.

DAY ELEVEN
‘At home’; continue painting anywhere on the estate; late afternoon sparkling wine and final wrapup; gala dinner at our favorite local spot.

DAY TWELVE
Departure after breakfast.

*On these days, lunch is on your own; participants are likely to want to do their own thing, whether it’s shopping or painting, and it’s best grab a panino (sandwich) at one of the very good bars to save time.

Cost: 2100 Euros