BACK TO ALL RETREATS.
Stewart White
Instructors retreat in Sicily.
April 20 – 27, 2024
Experience magical Sicily, enjoy breathtaking vistas, tiny villages, amazing Sicilian gastronomy and local wine.
My interest in creating a Retreat for Tutors is to create a forum for instructors in watercolor to explore the Art of Teaching. My concerns in the
way watercolor workshops are being conducted, seem to me to have vastly narrow limits in the general format in which they are conducted. Of
course, to be sure I haven’t seen all the various methods used and the ones I have seen are quite well done but could there be more?
For those lovers of watercolour painting, the process of quickly developing comfortable relationship with methods and materials in a matter of a
few days seems very daunting indeed. Zoom and videos fail to establish the “Master /Apprentice” relationship that historically has been the most
effective teaching model for the arts.
Besides these concerns, I am simply intrigued by the possibilities of a gathering of respected and accomplished watercolor instructors and
teachers who have an interest in effective arts related pedagogy and to see what might ensue. I have no end vision here except to explore the
realm of the possible.
Roughly, I am proposing that during the weeks’ time, 2 instructors give a brief example of a lesson, one in the morning and one in the evening.
during the day it is up to anyone to paint at several wonderful locations in Sicily that can be organized in advance. We might also organize a
model session as well for figure and portrait painting if there is interest. Each evening we can reconvene and share our various thoughts on the
subject of workshop effectiveness, the state of painting and community over local cuisine and wine at the villa. . Sound good?
I understand that 2023 calendars are filling up, so the sooner you sign up the better a chance you have at selecting your favored accommodations.
As we get a full booking I will send an itinerary and travel suggestions with pick up and drop off locations .
I hope this idea appeals to you and you will join me in kicking off a wonderful retreat tradition for years to come.
DIFFICULTY:
Beginner, amateur, enthusiast, semi-pro and pro.
Price
Single:
€ 1700
Sharing per person:
€ 1350
How to Book
Deposit to save your spot € 500.
The balance is due to 8 weeks before your arrival.
Apply NOW, spots are limited.
Min participants 10
Max participants 15
About Stewart White
Stewart White is a watercolorist from Baltimore, Maryland. He is one of the rare plein air painters using the medium of watercolor. His background in architectural illustration adds to his skill set and his paintings reflect his knowledge of good design. Stewart’s paintings have the pleasing combination of good structure with a painterly style. He is a transparent watercolorist in the purest tradition of watercolor painters. Where as watercolor expresses its nature as fluid oil paint is stiff and seems to want to be expressed in a thick and buttery way.
– Painting instruction and individual assistance
– Accommodation in double room
– Accommodation in single room with supplement
– All Sicilian Breakfasts, 4 lunches and all dinners (1 meal at a local restaurants)
– Non alcoholic drinks and wines during dinner
– Wine tasting at the villa
– All local excursion
– The use of portable folding chairs and folding easels
– Pick-up at Palermo airport on the first day at 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm
– Transfer to Palermo airport on the last day. Leaving at 9:00 am and 12:00 pm
– 2 lunches
– Any personal expenses
– Art supplies
– Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
– Airfare
– Tips for drivers and guides
– Transfers to and from other airports than Palermo
– Transfers to the villa from Palermo airport later than 4:00 pm are extra cost.
If you arrive later than 4:00 pm, we can arrange personal transfer accordingly.
You will stay in our 18th century typical Sicilian villa, surrounded by vineyards and the blu mediterranean sea. The area is known for its olive groves, salt pans and local producers of DOC Marsala wine and many other amazing red and white wines.
Sicilian breakfasts, lunches and dinners will be freshly prepared and served at the villa by our selected local chef. Enjoy the exotic flavors of traditional cuisine accompanied by exquisite local wines.
* Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary restrictions.
Travel, Landscape, Seascape, Architecture, Food and People.
Everything is carefully planned yet relaxed, giving you the freedom to open up and be creative, all while enjoying Sicily in the company of like-minded people.
The course is conducted in English, with translation into Italian, French, Spanish on demand.
8 DAYS PROGRAM (7 NIGHTS)
– Spectacular subject matter at the Villa and within walking distance such as Windmills and Salt Pans in a Natural Preserve.
– Paint coastal scenes at San Teodoro Tower and its surroundings.
– Historic Center of Marsala and Fish Market.
– Historic cave in Nature Preserve in the morning, in the afternoon painting at seacoast Monte Cofano east side.
– Erice Mountain and the medieval village: An utterly panoramic ride with stops for beautiful sea views will take us to the medieval village.
– Shopping trip to Marsala plus a visit to a local artisan ceramist.
– Wine tasting, a passionate sommelier will introduce the history of Marsala wines, accompanied by delicious local aperitif.
– Taste authentic Sicilian cuisine prepared by our local chef at the villa and in our favorite local restaurant.
– Taste local gelato (ice cream) in a classic gelateria in Marsala historic center.
Please note the itinerary is an example. Visits will depend on location and are subject to change depending on the weather.
PARTNERS AND FRIENDS ARE WELCOME!
We welcome non-painting companions. There are many amenities and activities happening at the Farmhouse, your companions will never get bored! Of course, they will enjoy all of our local excursions, wine tasting and fantastic meals.
Start your adventure in Western Sicily:
– Typical Sicilian cooking class (min.4 pax).
– Visit local wine producers, with wine tasting.
– Walking and visit the surrounding, sea coast with antique salt marshes, windmills and vineyards.
– Visit the beautiful seaside city of Marsala, home of the homonymous wine DOC.
– Visit the unforgettable old city of Trapani where you can stroll, shop and eat in a relaxed setting.
– Bicycling and enjoy splendid views over vineyards, with the magical colours of the Mediterranean Sea.
– Visit the unspoiled Egadi Islands, such as Favignana and Levanzo.
– Experience yoga or kitesurf with professional trainer.
Arrival and Departure Airport: Palermo, Sicily (PMO) – Transfer time to villa is about 1h 20min.
Travel by car and minibus to painting spots.
For those who prefer to arrive earlier or leave later, we offer an optional extended stay.
Travel Visa: A visa may be required depending on your nationality.
SUGGESTED PACKING:
Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.
— Bathing suit and beach towel
— Sun protection hat
— Raincoat
— Comfortable shoes for walking
— Plug adaptors / converters
The following terms and conditions shall apply in respect of all bookings and will form the basis of your contract with “SALINARA Società Cooperativa”.
1. All workshops/retreats organized directly by SALINARA are made subject to the following terms and conditions. When you make a booking with ‘SALINARA’ you undertake that you have the authority to accept and do accept these booking conditions on behalf of yourself and your party. A contract will exist upon our accepting any monies from you towards the booking, or upon the issue of our Confirmation/Invoice, whichever is the earlier.
2. Hold deposit € 300 euro each participant at the time of booking, which will be refundable minus 100 euro per deposit if you cancel up to 8 weeks before the beginning of the workshop/retreat.
3. The full balance due to 8 weeks before the beginning of the workshop/retreat. 4. Cancellation requests submitted within 28 days of workshop/retreat date, 50% of total amount (less deposit) will be refunded. 28 days or less prior to departure, or on departure date, no refund. *If your spot will be filled by another participant, we are happy to keep your paid amount for the next workshop you will attend.5. Any refunds allowed will incur a 3% processing fee.
6. We highly recommend that you must arrange adequate holiday insurance. Such insurance should cover full medical expenses, personal baggage, personal accident, loss or damage to property, cancellation or curtailment, personal liability, legal expenses and emergency.
7. We shall not accept responsibility for any cancellations or effect on your holiday due to war, threat of war, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist action, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions
8. We reserve the right to withdraw or modify at any time the arrangements advertised where necessary to do so. In the unlikely event of the accommodation advertised not being available, we will endeavour to provide suitable alternative accommodation.
9. All reasonable and proper steps have been taken to ensure that the accommodation and services are as advertised. We will be responsible for any acts or omissions of our own employees and agents whilst acting within the scope of their employment but cannot be responsible for the acts or omissions of those providing services over which we have no direct control.
10. We shall not be responsible for luggage lost in transit while the responsibility of an airline. Where possible we will provide advice and assistance in seeking to retrieve any luggage lost.
11. We will not be responsible if you suffer illness, personal injury or death as a result of misadventure during the period of your overseas trip arising out of an activity that does not form part of the course provided by us.
12. All workshops/retreats are subject to a minimum number of participants and we therefore reserve the right to cancel and where possible, provide you with an alternative course. In case we cancel the workshop/retreat, we will return all monies which you have paid. In no case will your holiday be cancelled within 8 weeks of departure except in the event of circumstances out-with our control. Salinara cannot be held responsible for any personal expenses, such as airline tickets due to changes in itineraries or retreat cancellations.
13. All travellers need valid passports.
Information
For any questions, please contact:
Phone: (+39) 339 77 57 062
info@salinara.com