CORTONA INTERNATIONAL ARTS - OFFICIAL WEB SITE

CORTONA INTERNATIONAL ARTS

Residential courses

Cortona International Arts is a cultural organization based in southern Tuscany, organizing art classes for local residents in English and Italian, it also provides an exhibition space for artists.

Starting in 2011 it will also give the opportunity for small groups from abroad to take part in residential courses. The idea being to offer an enjoyable and productive environment in which participants are at liberty to create in this beautiful part of the world, at a very modest price. All courses, taught separately, on differnt weeks, are suitable for both beginners and more experienced artists.

Accommodation

La Betania is an ex-seminary, now privately run as a hotel. The rooms are somewhat Spartan; lacking mini bars, satellite TV and room service. However all are clean and comfortable with en-suite bathrooms. The hotel does have the advantage of being only five minutes walk from the centre of town, it has stupendous views and a large airy teaching studio.

The course program

Artists may either make their own way to the school or can be picked up at no extra cost from Perugia airport or the Camucia – Cortona railway station.

Day 1 – 6.30 pm An introduction to the teacher and other participants followed by a brief outline of the course and teaching methods. At 8.00 pm a welcome dinner at La Grotta restaurant in Cortona.

Day 2, 3, 5 & 6 – 9.30 am After breakfast first lesson of the day. Weather permitting the watercolour and oil painting classes will be held “plein air” in the surrounding countryside. In the event of bad weather the classes will be held in the studio as will all sculpture classes. Packed lunch including wine will be provided. The afternoon session will finish around 4.30 pm. For dinner, guests can choose from the many bars and restaurants in Cortona, between them these serve everything from a full four course meal to a pizza or salad. On day 6, included in the course fee will be a farewell dinner at L’Antica Trattoria on tables set out in Piazza Signorelli.

Day 4 A morning guided tour of the Etruscan tombs in the necropolis below the town followed by a further guided tour of the MAEC Etruscan museum. The MAEC is truly remarkable, a beautifully appointed museum, it has exchanged exhibitions with both the Louvre and St Petersburg’s Hermitage museum. Lunch and dinner optional.

Day 7 Departure with transport provided as on day 1

Tutors and Techniques

Sarah Miatt

An English artist living in Italy for the last twenty three years .
After Studying Fine Art at Southampton College and Sheffield University she moved to Amsterdam, Holland for five years where alongside her own endeavors taught life drawing classes.
Since moving to Italy she has been teaching Art locally in schools, also painting and drawing classes privately, as well as residential courses to various groups from abroad.
In 2010, set up Cortona International Arts.

As well as introducing participants to the particulars of the Tuscan countryside and light, Sarah will be demonstrating a technique of overlay of colours which is particularly adapted to capturing the intensity of heat and shade so characteristic of the Mediterranean landscape.
www.sarahmiatt.it

Liz Rigden

Liz Rigden held adults watercolour for many years in England before uprooting to Cortona and continuing her love for teaching out here.
She has run a number of painting holidays in Cortona and knows many delightful, quiet places to paint in and around the area.
A much loved teacher, her courses are especially popular.
Liz has exhibited in the UK and here in Cortona.

The often hot and dry climate of central Italy make watercolour a particularly rewarding if very immediate art form. Liz’s long experience living and working here gives her a unique insight into how to get the best out of her medium.

Andrew Wood

An influential, award winning sculptor, studied at Falmouth School of Art and Camberwell School of Art Foundation. Works largely in clay creating both sculptures and bas relief.
He has taught both privately and in academic institutions widely, in the UK and USA.
The artists work can be found in private collections and museums throughout the world.

Working from a life model Andrew will demonstrate full, three dimensional sculpture and bas relief modeling in terracotta. His own work is both figurative and lyrical. Participants too may enjoy creating more or less formal works.
www.andrew-wood.com

Booking, prices and materials

For 2011 the participation fee including membership, all tuition, guiding, local transport, entrance fees, accommodation, breakfasts, four packed lunches and two restaurant meals is €950.

For information on dates, payment, materials and anything else, contact Sarah Miatt at sarmiatt@gmail.com