Artists Retreat & Photography Class

May 7 through 14, 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 where we take photos, examine your work from the perspective of your camera's eye, nd fully absorb the light quality and slower pace of life in this hilltop Tuscan 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, or writing. We will arrange times for the group to work in a private walled garden with a stunning view and other special outdoor sites plus interiors of ancient buildings, and a day trip to a smaller mountainside town. 

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. A number of workshop participanes 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 Westbrooke Salvi combines those opportunities with conceptual photography classes helping participants to observe, discover, and learn about how your work might evolve. 

For me it is alwyas a joy to watch others absorb and become inspired by the guest artist and location while focusing on their own artistic goals, and slowing down and sharing in life of a small village away-from-the-crowds in the Italian countryside.   

I look forward to your joining us! Please contact me with your questions.

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 Westbrooke 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 an author and the Director of Foundazione Ricci, a 17th century mansion in the Giardino section of Barga, which is a breathtaking example of the architecture of that period, and tells the history of architecture 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. Or visit Florence by train.   

Note: Barga is literally a hill town and requires some walking up steep hills. Participants should be able to walk up and down steep hills, and stairs, and carry their gear to and from each location.About the retreat