Artists Retreat & Photography Class
May 7 - 15, 2025
Special Guest Artist Caterina Westbrooke Salvi, Photographer
Daily photography lessions by Barga resident Caterina Westbrooke Salvi will help artists to gain awareness, inspired by the spots we explore while taking photos. Examine your work from the perspective of your camera's eye, and fully absorb the light quality and colors as you learn in the slower pace of life in this hilltop town. You may become more mindful in your work, fine tuning your art form or exploring new directions. Plenty of free time to work independently in your preferred media, whether sketching, painting, on your own or with others from the group. We will arrange times to work in a private walled garden with a stunning overlook view and other special outdoor sites plus interiors of ancient buildings. Caterina will lead us on a day trip to a Historic House Museum, the villa and garden where poet Giovanni Pascoli lived.
Special Message from the Director of Workshops Italia
I am thrilled to offer this Retreat, a new format for Workshops Italia. Over the years I have enjoyed retuning to Barga and bringing different talented guest artists/instructors, each with their own focus and style. Many workshop participants have also valued working independently part of the day with the opportunity to share with other artists in the group. This Retreat with Barga photographer Caterina Salvi combines those opportunities with conceptual photography classes helping participants to observe, discover, and learn about how your work might evolve.
I look forward to your joining us! Please contact me with your questions. donnamagnani@gmail.com or (815) 307-4567.
Donna
"Caterina Salvi is an observer whose compassion and sensitivity
shines in the images captured by her eye, and in the acuity of her vision." Helen Bellany
Caterina Salvi, BA (Hons) Photography and Multimedia, is an experienced freelance photographer and graphic designer. For the last twenty years she has been running a successful Photography and Graphic Design studio in Italy, offering all-round services of photography and design for clients in commercial, editorial, corporate and cultural fields, creating material that is used across various communication platforms and printed media like Vogue Italia, Officiel, Vanity Fair, Glamour, Drum Club, Diva Magazine amongst many others.
Caterina is also the Director of Fondazione Ricci, housed in an Art Nouveau villa in Barga. It is a breathtaking example of the architecture of that period, and tells the history of architecture, art and social change as well as featuring permanent and rotating exhibits of work by artists of the area.
The Location
We return to the medieval, walled hilltown of Barga in northwest Tuscany, which offers breathtaking overlooks, small winding streets to explore, wonderful historic architecture and quiet gardens. Barga has an active arts community, an art museum, galleries, a historic Duomo and smaller churches. Many charming local bar-cafes welcome you for a coffee, pastry, gelato or panini. Several trattoria and ristorante feature wonderful local cuisine. Those wishing to visit Lucca or nearby small villages on their own, can travel by bus or taxi.
Note: Barga streets and stairs, and carry their gear to and from each location.
Accommodations
We stay in an historic villa, beautifully restored into a charming and comfortable family-run hotel with lovely outdoor areas and terraces. Our host is gracious and helpful. Accommodations are in shared rooms, with a few private rooms available. Sumptuous Tuscan breakfasts served daily in the spacious dining room. Four group dinners at local ristorante are provided. Other nights you can enjoy dinner on your own at your choice of the town's trattoria or ristorante. Lunch on your own daily.
Fee & Payments
Fee of $2995 includes: Shared accommodations for eight nights (some private rooms available for an extra fee). Daily photography classes, plus group discussions and sharing your work. Ground transportation to and from the Pisa airport. Delicious full Tuscan breakfast daily. Group dinners four nights. A day trip to a Museum, the villa and garden where poet Giovanni Pascoli lived.
The maximum number of participants is 10 and registration is on a first-come basis. To secure your spot, application and deposit of $1000 due no later than February 20, 2025. Full balance due March, 2025. (Full refund if the minimum of 5 participants for trip is not reached and the workshop must be cancelled. )
Making Your Own Air Travel Arrangements
Flights to Pisa (not included in the workshop fee) should be made in advance so that you arrive by noon on the day the workshop begins when our van will pick everyone up from the Pisa airport around noon. The morning after the workshop sessions end, a van will take us to the Pisa airport.
Workshops Italia was founded in 2002 by Donna Magnani, an artist and former nonprofit administrator, who has painted and traveled throughout Italy since 1984. Her love of Italy and familiarity with Tuscany and Umbria inspired the launch of Workshops Italia to offer small group stays in quaint, off-the-beaten-path spots, with delicious local cuisine and the inspiration of the Italian countryside. Past trips have included study with noted artists, independent work, a writing workshop, and sometimes an exhibit of work in progress. And always the enjoyment of the lifestyle and beauty of Italy away from the crowds.
