A unique art workshop in South America on the stunning Colombian Caribbean coast (Cartagena and Puerto Colombia). Acquire solid notions of perspective drawing, learn the fundamentals of watercolors, and taste the best of Colombian Caribbean food and culture. After an art class, try a "mojarra con arroz con coco" with a cold Colombian beer. Draw and paint on the beach, attend cooking demonstrations by local chefs, visit food markets and museums, etc. The price of CAD 3175 per person (around US$2220) includes eight-night double accommodation in well-rated hotels, all ground transportation, all breakfasts, one lunch, two suppers, one street food tour, instruction, art supplies, and more. Single rooms available for a supplement of CAD 825 (around US$580).
 
Location: Cartagena, Colombia
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$2220
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789

This is an exploration of watercolor, mixed media/collage, painting with natural pigments, mark making with India ink + other simple materials to develop your unique voice - all while taking a deep dive into art, culture, and real ancestral traditions of Oaxaca, plus exploring a historic barrio in Puebla. First, a week-long deep dive into the art & culture of magical Oaxaca, with its soulful art scene, indigenous culture, rich culinary and artisanal traditions. Visit ancient ruins and artisan villages for weaving, papermaking, and red clay. Then, a weekend escape to Puebla for a vintage ephemera hunt in a picturesque alley, and collage sessions with our treasures in a beautiful 18th-C hotel in the heart of the old city center.
 
Location: Oaxaca & Puebla, Mexico
Instructor: Pedro Cruz Pacheco + Corrie McCluskey
Cost: $2750 (lodging included)
Sponsor: Talismán Oaxaca
Website, email, 707-529-9050

Need to feed your creative soul? Fill it to the brim with creative transformation and fresh inspiration. We'll mix art classes - watercolor, natural pigments, mixed media/collage and mask painting - with carefully curated field trips in magical Oaxaca. Experience the hauntingly beautiful, raucous celebration of Carnaval in the Zapotec pueblo of San Martín Tilcajete, where deeply rooted local culture and ancestral traditions are still practiced. We’ll see La Danza de Los Diablitos (Dance of the Devils), a Sunday market, studio visits to master alebrije & weaving families & papermaking studio, art center housed in a renovated textile factory, and a guided street art walk in a hip barrio - all mixed in with art instruction and creative play time.
 
Location: Oaxaca, Mexico
Instructor: Pedro Cruz Pacheco + Corrie McCluskey
Cost: $2595 (lodging included)
Sponsor: Talismán Oaxaca
Website, email, 707-529-9050

Paint & Printmaking: explore intuitive mark-making and mono-printing using gel plates and acrylic paints. Create layers of vibrant papers for collages, books, or mixed media works. Stitch Exploration: Integrate hand-stitching techniques to embellish and transform painted surfaces. Use thread as a drawing tool and stitch as a narrative element. Bring together the elements you’ve created and collected—painted and stitched papers, handmade paper—into personal art books or create artwork that refers to the traditions we experience. Cultural Immersion: explore local markets, taste traditional foods, visit artisan studios, absorb the rhythms of daily life. Field trips include artisan studio visits with a master weaving family and a papermaker, Sunday market, women’s red clay collective, famous art center, and gallery walk.
 
Location: Oaxaca, Mexico
Instructor: Lisa Pressman + Susan Stover
Cost: $3500 (lodging included)
Sponsor: Talismán Oaxaca
Website, email, 707-529-9050

Join textile artist and instructor Fleur Woods in South West France for a week of playful experimentation with textiles and hand embroidery, learning how to draw floral motifs with stitch. Participants can expect to be taken on a joyful, exciting creative journey with Fleur as your guide. This retreat offers you the opportunity to create your own contemporary stitched artwork using a variety of textile, collage, embroidery and beading techniques. Inspired by the region and the Atelier, you will draw from an abundant selection of vintage & hand painted textiles and threads, as well as Fleur’s hand dyed wools to design and create unique artworks. A basic level of stitching is useful for this workshop. All materials are supplied.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Fleur Woods
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + $2500.00 NZD tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Join textile artist and instructor Fleur Woods in South West France for a week of playful experimentation with textiles and hand embroidery, learning how to draw floral motifs with stitch. Participants can expect to be taken on a joyful, exciting creative journey with Fleur as your guide. This retreat offers you the opportunity to create your own contemporary stitched artwork using a variety of textile, collage, embroidery and beading techniques. Inspired by the region and the Atelier, you will draw from an abundant selection of vintage & hand painted textiles and threads, as well as Fleur’s hand dyed wools to design and create unique artworks. A basic level of stitching is useful for this workshop. All materials are supplied.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Fleur Woods
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + $2500.00 NZD tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Paper arts workshop focuses on mask making with "barro papel" (clay paper) and mixed media/collage incorporating paper ephemera. Handcraft a barro papel mask – a blend of paper pulp, clay, glue. Then, visual storytelling with mixed media collage, plus mark making experimentation to develop your unique visual voice when playing with handmade brushes and India ink. Create a simple artist book using exquisite handmade paper crafted by a master Oaxacan papermaker. Field trips include studio visits with a master weaving family and papermaker, a women’s red clay collective, guided street art tour, visit to a famous art center housed in a renovated textile factory, plus the renowned ancient tree of Tule – a mix of cultural immersion and creative playtime.
 
Location: Oaxaca, Mexico
Instructor: Pedro Cruz Pacheco + Corrie McCluskey
Cost: $2595 (lodging included)
Sponsor: Talismán Oaxaca
Website, email, 707-529-9050

Join Tara Faughnan for a week of improv quilting at the beautiful Atelier Clos Mirabel in the French Pyrénées. Explore vibrant colours, learn new techniques, and let your imagination run wild as you create beautiful small quilt studies. Tara will lead students in an inspirational workshop of sketching with textiles. In this class you will delve into colour interaction, the importance of value in creating movement, and how the use of shape can tell a story. Students will work through a variety of exercises to create several small design studies, and can work any of these into a full size quilt afterwards.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Tara Faughnan
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + $950 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Join printmaking and drawing specialist Sam Marshall in South West France for a week of experimentation with linocut and drypoint, creating beautiful artworks inspired by your surroundings. During this week, you will discover the joys of keeping an observational sketchbook, using the contents as inspiration to create linocut and drypoint prints. You will spend the first part of the workshop sketching outside, finding which elements of the landscape interest you most. You will experiment with different types of drawing materials — coloured pencils, brush pens, wax crayons — finding your own unique style of drawing and mark-making. You will then return to the studio and begin the process of transforming these drawings into ideas for your linocut and drypoint print creations.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Sam Marshall
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + 500 euros for tuition
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

This retreat is a return to beauty. To slow mornings, sun-warmed afternoons, and the quiet joy of making something with your hands. We’ll paint, move, eat well, and linger over long dinners in the Sicilian countryside — with nowhere else to be. At our retreat home on Sicily’s western coast, creativity flows effortlessly, with every brushstroke, sip of wine, and warm conversation shared beneath the lemon trees. Whether you’re a practiced artist or picking up a paintbrush for the first time, there’s a place for you here. Let Sicily be your muse. Sicily is slow, soulful, and full of flavor. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to pause, notice, and create. Limited spots available.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Habitat Retreats - Diana
Cost: Starts at US$ 3860
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

Learn my approach to painting on vellum during this five-day workshop at the beautiful Clos Mirabel in the south of France. We will begin by doing some exercises on small bits of vellum to learn technique and to get a feel for painting on this surface. Then, we will explore the grounds of Clos Mirabel to choose painting subjects – roses, hellebores, poppies, columbines, fruit trees, iris, and so much more will be blooming this time of the year. If we are lucky, there may even be a few vegetables ready in the garden. The workshop combines demonstrations, discussion of materials and techniques, hands-on time for developing skills, and lots of individual attention and feedback.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Denise Walser-Kolar
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + $500 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Join watercolor artist Russel Whitten next spring for a week of plein air painting on the enchanting island of Sicily. Together we’ll explore the island’s rich history, diverse architecture, stunning landscapes, and world-renowned cuisine. Russel’s work is grounded in direct observation—painting from life rather than photographs. With over two decades of experience, his watercolors capture the intimate details that give a place its character: the curve of an archway, the play of light on stone, the colors of the Mediterranean landscape. We’ll stay at Salinara, an 18th-century villa nestled amid vineyards and olive groves near Marsala. Our gracious hosts, Yumi and Adriano, have created a haven for artists—just a short walk from the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Limited spots available.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Russel Whitten
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

Watercolor Workshop in Sicily with Amit and Megha Kapoor. Join us for an inspiring watercolor painting workshop guided by two of India’s leading watercolor masters — Amit Kapoor and Megha Kapoor. This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in art and nature, painting alongside world-renowned artists in a charming, authentic Sicilian farmhouse just 500 meters from the Sea. Throughout the week, Amit will share his signature plein air techniques, while Megha will guide you through her delicate and expressive approach to painting flowers. Both artists will offer in-depth demonstrations and provide personalized feedback, ensuring a supportive and enriching learning experience. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to elevate your watercolor practice while discovering the magic of Sicily. Limited spots available.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Amit Kapoor & Megha Kapoor
Cost: Starts at € 2650
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

Experience a restorative week of organic abstract piecing at the beautiful Atelier Clos Mirabel in the French Pyrénées. Translate inspiration from the bloom of spring into grid-based and freestyle organic abstract quilts. Learn ruler-free curve piecing techniques including bias-strip piecing on the curve and S-curves. Experiment with curves and find your unique way of piecing them, to tell the story of your own creative blossoming. Invite yourself with curiosity and acceptance into the sweet space of a beginner’s mind where there are many paths to the solution, and where you have permission to flow and grow with your “mistakes.” Whoopee! This is a workshop for both beginners, and masters at their craft who long to be beginners again!
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Sherri Lynn Wood
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + $850 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Join Kat O’Connor for an immersive week of painting in both oil and water-based mediums. Let yourself be guided by your inner emotions and your surroundings in this beautiful area of South West France. We travel to take a break from our normal lives; to see new things and experience cultures that are different from our own. In this week-long class, we will work at expanding our ability to gather creative inspiration and transferring it into new studio work. Both sketching and painting will be utilised during the week, as well as critiques and discussions about where our inspiration takes us.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Kat O’Connor
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + $600 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Following Van Gogh & Cézanne in Provence | Plein Air Retreat. Join us on an unforgettable journey through Provence, painting in the very landscapes that inspired Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne. Together, we will explore Arles, Saint-Rémy, and Aix-en-Provence, where the masters created some of their most iconic works. Your hosts, Tali Farchi (NL) and Shay Avivi (IL), are accomplished painters and teachers who will enrich your creative process with guidance, stories, and inspiration. This all-inclusive retreat offers daily plein air painting, delicious meals, and exclusive day trips. We will stay in the heart of Arles, surrounded by history and beauty. Celebrate art, light, and creativity in Provence — a retreat you’ll never forget.
 
Location: Arles, Saint-Rémy, Aix-en-Provence, France
Instructor: Tali Farchi, Shay Avivi
Cost: €3350 - €3500
Sponsor: Artist Table -Tali Farchi
Website, email, +31 6 24903316

If you’re a beginner or looking to strengthen your fundamentals, this all-inclusive (minus airfare) bootcamp-style retreat in Provence is for you. Learn traditional techniques, build confidence, and discover the joy of painting in a supportive, immersive environment. Created by founder Julie Snyder, this workshop includes painting drills, demos, one-on-one sessions, and expert feedback—all designed to help you grow. Work alongside experienced instructors at a historic 13th-century château overlooking the Luberon Valley. Enjoy plein air sessions on the estate and excursions to nearby villages, vineyards, and markets. Whether you’re new to art or transitioning to plein air, this unforgettable experience will elevate your skills while letting you soak up the beauty, culture, and charm of southern France.
 
Location: Provence, France
Instructor: Julie Snyder, Shirley Hambrick & more
Cost: $5,250 USD (All inclusive minus airfare)
Sponsor: Workshops in France
Website, email, 818-533-2363

Join Yoni Mayeri at Atelier Clos Mirabel for a week-long photography workshop in the French Pyrenees ~ South West France. Enjoy wonderful surroundings, delightful accommodation and delicious meals. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Clos Mirabel, this course offers the perfect setting to practice and perfect your iPhoneography skills. Capture the beauty of lush gardens, sweeping landscapes, charming villages, and intricate botanical details. You will explore both the technical and artistic aspects of mobile photography, learning how to shoot stunning portraits, master macro and close-up photography, and document your travels. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, you’ll leave this course with a set of practical skills, newfound inspiration, and the confidence to take your iPhone photography to the next level.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Yoni Mayeri
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + $495 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

An unforgettable artistic journey awaits. During this immersive week-long retreat, artists will be invited to slow down, breathe deeply, and be fully present in every moment—savoring each color, texture, and sensation. Painting without fear or judgment becomes the gateway to curiosity, and through curiosity, to profound discovery. Set along the luminous Mediterranean coast, this retreat invites you to capture the region’s enchanting landscapes and its charming nearby villages, guided by the insight and inspiration of Lori Putnam. Together, you will explore a more intentional approach to art—one rooted in mindfulness and authentic self-expression. Each day offers space to unwind, rejuvenate, and rediscover the joy of play, allowing your work to soar with new depth and freedom. Limited spots available.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Lori Putnam
Cost: Starts at € 2650
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

A thought-provoking and inspirational art workshop open to artists of all levels and media (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.). Nine full days of plein air painting, art history/theory lectures, touring, and gastronomy in the most beautiful area of Tuscany. Our teaching approach and groups limited to eight participants allow us to offer personalized instruction and a stimulating environment that fosters creativity. Cost of CAD 4350 (around US$ 3170) includes instruction, 9-night single or double accommodation (limited single rooms available at no extra cost), all breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 gourmet dinners including wine, transportation from and to the Arezzo train station, transportation to all painting sites (Montepulciano, Cortona, Pienza, etc.), train ticket to Florence, and a guided tour to the Uffizi Museum.
 
Location: Lucignano, Italy
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$3170
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789

Join artist and tutor Chloe Briggs with life model Ioi Choi, alongside like-minded passionate makers for a week of creative experimentation in mixed-media. Overlooking the Pyrénées mountains, this incredible setting will provide endless inspiration. Combined with focused expert instruction, Chloe’s workshop aims to inspire long lasting joy - motivating you to take on new works with confidence and ambition. She aims to remove the judgement which so often can hold us back from true creativity.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Chloe Briggs
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + 450€ for tuition
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Jane Hunt returns for another epic landscape workshop hosted by Workshops in France, this time in the heart of Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park. Over nine days, you'll paint majestic lochs, charming towns, and iconic Balmoral Castle surrounded by forested highlands. Jane, an award-winning landscape artist, offers personalized instruction alongside immersive coaching in plein air techniques. The experience includes guided excursions, studio-style demos, and painting time in scenic locations, ideal for both intermediate and advanced painters. Held at a beautiful estate in Royal Deeside, this retreat blends art, nature, and cultural exploration. Whether you’re deepening your outdoor painting skills or seeking inspiration from dramatic Scottish landscapes, this workshop promises transformative artistic growth and unforgettable memories. All inclusive (minus airfare)
 
Location: Highlands, Scotland
Instructor: Jane Hunt
Cost: $6,200 USD (All inclusive minus airfare)
Sponsor: Workshops in France
Website, email, 8185332363

A unique 11-night art workshop/art tour open to artists of all levels and media (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.). 7 days of plein-air painting, art history/theory lectures, and gastronomy in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence followed by 4 days visiting Barcelona’s top art sites and enjoying Catalan cuisine. The price of CAD 4890 per person (around US$ 3570) includes instruction, 11-night double accommodation, 11 breakfasts, 6 healthy lunches, 6 gourmet dinners including wine, transportation from the Manosque train station to our lodge, transportation to all painting sites, TGV train ticket Avignon-Barcelona, transportation and entrance fees to all sites on schedule (Cézanne’s studio, La Sagrada Familia, Picasso Museum, Miró Museum, etc.). Limited single rooms for a supplement of CAD 885 (around US$ 650).
 
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$3570
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789

A unique 11-night art workshop/art tour open to artists of all levels and media (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.). 7 days of plein-air painting, art history/theory lectures, and gastronomy in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence followed by 4 days visiting Barcelona’s top art sites and enjoying Catalan cuisine. The price of CAD 4890 per person (around US$ 3570) includes instruction, 11-night double accommodation, 11 breakfasts, 6 healthy lunches, 6 gourmet dinners including wine, transportation from the Manosque train station to our lodge, transportation to all painting sites, TGV train ticket Avignon-Barcelona, transportation and entrance fees to all sites on schedule (Cézanne’s studio, La Sagrada Familia, Picasso Museum, Miró Museum, etc.). Limited single rooms for a supplement of CAD 885 (around US$ 650).
 
Location: Provence, France
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$3570
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789

This magical ARTventure will foster your creativity as we paint from inspiration gathered while exploring the gorgeous Italian countryside. If you’re seeking an authentic Italian escape, Le Marche is the answer. This enchanting area is nestled between the dramatic Sibillini mountains and the Adriatic Sea and is charactised by endless coastline, rolling hills dotted with vineyards, olive trees, historic villages and breathtaking mountain ranges. Our time together will be a nurturing blend of being out in our environment, sketching and gathering inspiration, and devoted studio time and one-on-one instruction to allow you to grow your skills, explore new techniques, and relish in your creativity. We will paint with both oils and watercolor. This workshop is perfect for all levels.
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Kim Smith
Cost: €4399
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

The Light of the Netherlands – Zwolle & Overijssel Art Retreat July 2026 | All-Inclusive Discover the magic of Dutch light that has inspired painters for centuries. This retreat takes place in Zwolle and the surrounding province of Overijssel, where wide skies and flat landscapes offer endless inspiration. The program includes plein air painting, sketching, monotype, and printmaking workshops, as well as unique local experiences not found on a typical tourist path. Since Tali lives here, she will personally introduce you to artists, private gardens, studios, and hidden places in the “arty” scene. This all-inclusive retreat features delicious meals, exclusive day trips, and abundant artmaking. Join us in the Netherlands for an unforgettable artistic adventure.
 
Location: Zwolle, The Netherlands
Instructor: Tali Farchi and local artists
Cost: €3000-€3200
Sponsor: ArtisTTable - Tali Farchi
Website, email, +31 6 24903316

Award-winning figurative artist Ruth Fitton leads an inspiring workshop on Scotland’s rugged east coast. Immerse yourself in an all-inclusive (minus airfare) painting retreat designed to deepen your representational skills through immersive plein air and studio instruction. Over several days, you’ll explore dramatic coastal scenes and scenic countryside under Ruth’s expert guidance. Expect intensive demos, group painting sessions, and individual coaching in techniques such as narrative portraiture, texture, form, edge control, and alla prima brushwork. Held at a beautiful estate in the region, the experience includes accommodation, meals, and ground transportation. Whether you're refining studio practices outdoors or embracing the Scottish landscape as your palette, this workshop promises transformative learning, artistic growth, and unforgettable creative experiences.
 
Location: Angus, Scotland
Instructor: Ruth Fitton
Cost: $6,300 USD (All inclusive minus airfare)
Sponsor: Workshops in France
Website, email, 8185332363

Join Nina Johansson for a fun week exploring the joys of sketching. Create your own totally original artwork and discover a beautiful area of South West France. Sketching from observation is a great way to experience a place! In this course we will bring our sketching tools outside to explore Clos Mirabel and its surroundings, capturing them on paper. We will be using lines and colours – pencils, pens and brushes – to capture the look and feel of everything around us. The subjects will cover whatever we encounter during the course, landscapes, architecture, villages, people, botanicals, food – everything becomes interesting to investigate when you sketch. We will start out on location and use the atelier for continued work and explorations.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Nina Johansson
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 350€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Step into a world of creativity and inspiration at this transformative art retreat in the breathtaking landscapes of Italy. This immersive experience is designed for artists of all levels—whether you’re just beginning your creative journey or looking to deepen your artistic practice. Together, we’ll explore PanPastel portraiture, field journaling, watercolor studies, mixed media storytelling collage and on-location sketching, all while soaking in the rich atmosphere of Italy. We’ll take our sketchbooks into cobblestone streets, quiet gardens, and sun-drenched piazzas for some urban sketching and watercolor play and swatching. We’ll also spend time in nature, doing studies of local flora and fauna—slowing down to observe the beauty of our surroundings. Learn to release perfectionism and embrace joyful experimentation!
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Ivy Newport
Cost: €3699
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

Join textile artist and instructor Carolina Oneto in South West France for a week of playful experimentation. Participants will engage in an in-depth exploration of colour theory, learn a diverse array of complex piecing techniques, and use their newfound knowledge and skills to design their own unique imaginary place quilt. They will then carefully consider and select colours, shapes, and piecing techniques that fully capture the essence of their creative expression, bringing their designs into fruition through the art of sewing. This immersive, hands-on workshop serves as a platform for participants to explore, experiment, and ultimately realise their creative potential, empowering them to craft breathtaking quilts that serve as a tangible reflection of their individual style and artistic sensibilities.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Carolina Oneto
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + $850 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Immerse yourself in a weeklong journey of creativity, growth, and connection in beautiful Italy. Guided by Jenny Grant, you’ll explore her mixed media process with collage, acrylic painting, and expressive portraits, all while discovering the joy of letting go and embracing your unique creative voice. You’ll connect with a group of like-minded creatives, creating friendships as you learn, and explore Italy together. By the end of the week, you’ll leave with a new approach to your art, full of inspiration, and amazing memories. We will also create a simple art journal to document our creative journey, capturing meaningful moments and exploring the freedom of creating without attachment to perfection. This retreat is open to all levels.
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Jenny Grant
Cost: €3499
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

Join lino cut artist Emily Robertson for a week of playful experimentation. Throughout the week you will explore and experiment with lino cut printmaking. Drawing inspiration from the luxuriant, natural environment of Clos Mirabel and its surroundings, Emily will guide you in the creation of your own lino cut prints. You will be encouraged to play with mark making and sketching, exploring your own style of drawing which you can then use to create your lino prints. Emily will demonstrate the full lino printmaking process; from drawing designs and carving to colour mixing and printing by hand. Throughout the week you will be encouraged to have fun and experiment. This course is suitable for any level of experience.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Emily Robertson
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + 500 Euros tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Award-winning watercolorist Marc Folly leads an immersive 9-day workshop in the scenic Languedoc region of Southwestern France. With his masterful control of light, color, and unconventional subjects—from sunlit interiors to industrial settings—Marc offers a poetic and bold approach to watercolor painting. The workshop is all-inclusive (minus airfare) and includes château-style accommodation at a historic olive-mill estate, meals and ground transportation. Expect daily demos, guided exercises, group critiques, and personalized one-on-one feedback under Marc’s expert instruction. Enjoy excursions to hilltop villages, markets, vineyards, and private vineyards as painting inspiration. Whether you're experienced or simply seeking creative expansion, this retreat promises artistic growth, camaraderie, and deep immersion in one of France’s most captivating regions.
 
Location: Moulin in Languedoc, France
Instructor: Marc Folly
Cost: $5,600 USD (All inclusive minus airfare)
Sponsor: Workshops in France
Website, email, 818 533 2363

Over the course of this week-long retreat, participants will have opportunities to explore the Le Marche region of Italy, visit regional food producers, and sample local culinary delights. All these materials and experiences will influence our work and find their way into our mixed media art journaling – which we’ll do in a handmade concertina journal, on paper, and on wood panels! You’ll work intuitively, allowing yourself to be influenced by the day’s experiences and materials discovered. Learn to be on the lookout for materials that will add “local spice” to your encaustic and mixed media creations. And you’ll be guided and supported each day by Bridget Benton with excursions, lessons, and exercises to delight your senses and help build your mixed media vocabulary.
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Bridget Benton
Cost: €3199
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

Join Cindy Briggs and Theresa Goesling for their workshop at the stunning Salinara Art Farm in Sicily. Discover an endless variety of restaurants and cafés, blue skies and beautiful nature, joyful and welcoming people, traditional foods, and excellent local wines. There will be plenty of opportunities to swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Cindy and Theresa will provide daily painting lessons, personalized guidance, and inspiring demonstrations. They’ll share techniques for sketching and simplifying your subject, playing with color and water, adding texture and composition, and enhancing your watercolor journal pages with writing and creative expression. The workshop will conclude with a review session and discussion of participants’ works. Limited spots available.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Theresa Goesling and Cindy Briggs
Cost: Starts at € 3200
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

Join UK Artist Jenny Muncaster for a fun filled creative retreat exploring and developing your skills in mixed media. Jenny is a professional artist whose work is mainly focused on mixed media and acrylics. Jenny is committed to making creativity available to everyone. During this week-long painting holiday, she will introduce you to different techniques using a whole range of wonderful art materials. Combining traditional & non-traditional methods & tools for exploring line, painting, print, texture & collage in your work. Using these new skills, capture & interpret your subject matter to create totally original artwork inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Clos Mirabel in the French Pyrenees.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Jenny Muncaster
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + £400 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Join master watercolorists Joseph Zbukvic and Lisa Wang for an immersive, all-inclusive (minus airfare) nine-day artistic retreat near the Côte d'Azur. Set on a picturesque vineyard estate minutes from the Mediterranean, the workshop begins with a two-day indoor masterclass led by Lisa, teaching how to create emotive, spontaneous images from photo references. This transitions into four plein air painting days under Joseph’s expert instruction among hilltop villages, estate grounds, and coastal vistas. Expect daily demos, group painting sessions, individual critiques, and supportive coaching all included—plus estate accommodation, meals and ground transportation. Non-painting partners welcome. Whether you’re advancing your watercolor practice or seeking fresh inspiration, this retreat offers transformative learning in stunning southern France.
 
Location: Côte d'Azur, France
Instructor: Joseph Zbukvic & Lisa Wang
Cost: $6,100 USD (All inclusive minus airfare)
Sponsor: Workshops in France
Website, email, 818 533 2363

Join renowned artist Samantha Williams-Chapelsky for a captivating textured semi-abstract plein air workshop in the breathtaking landscapes of Italy. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Italian countryside while learning innovative techniques to create vibrant, textured works of art. Perfect for artists of all levels, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore semi-abstract expression through Samantha’s expert guidance, all while drawing inspiration from Italy’s rich scenery and culture. Don’t miss this unforgettable artistic experience!
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Samantha Williams-Chapelsky
Cost: €3649
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

A thought-provoking and inspirational art workshop open to artists of all levels and media (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.). Nine full days of plein air painting, art history/theory lectures, touring, and gastronomy in the most beautiful area of Tuscany. Our teaching approach and groups limited to eight participants allow us to offer personalized instruction and a stimulating environment that fosters creativity. Cost of CAD 4350 (around US$ 3170) includes instruction, 9-night single or double accommodation (limited single rooms available at no extra cost), all breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 gourmet dinners including wine, transportation from and to the Arezzo train station, transportation to all painting sites (Montepulciano, Cortona, Pienza, etc.), train ticket to Florence, and a guided tour to the Uffizi Museum.
 
Location: Lucignano, Italy
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$3170
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789

Join acclaimed plein air artists Josh Clare & Bryan Mark Taylor for an immersive, all-inclusive (minus airfare) painting retreat in Provence, near the Côte d’Azur. Set at a charming historic moulin nestled in the stunning countryside, the workshop blends the emotional resonance of Clare’s expressive light-filled scenes with Taylor’s dynamic cityscape and landscape expertise. Over eight inspiring days, expect guided plein air sessions, daily demos, group critiques, and individualized instruction designed to deepen your understanding of light, atmosphere, composition, and narrative. Included are accommodation, meals, ground transportation and excursions across villages and vineyards. Non-painting partners are welcome too! Whether you’re expanding your technical skills or seeking creative revitalization, this French experience promises artistic growth and memorable immersion in beauty.
 
Location: Provence, France
Instructor: Josh Clare & Bryan Mark Taylor
Cost: $6,150 USD (All inclusive minus airfare)
Sponsor: Workshops in France
Website, email, 818 533 2363

A concertina sketchbook is the perfect way to make an artistic memory of a place you’ve been. Creative lettering and colourful watercolour sketches result in a collection of vibrant memories that will bring your week back to life forever. The town of Montelparo provides the perfect setting for this way to record a trip with its classical buildings, traditional shops, wonderful food, colourful inhabitants and even truffles in October. Over the last decade Róisín Curé has taught students at every stage of their journey, and with her guidance you’ll take your skill to the next level whether you love to sketch people, buildings, nature or anything that catches your eye.
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Róisín Curé
Cost: €2999
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

Join visual artist Sarah Grace Dye in South West France for a fun week of paper making, mark making and book arts. You will also learn about natural ink making and develop the skills to create one or many keepsakes that capture the essence of your time in this beautiful place. Telling a story is always done through layers. Memories are always formed through a collection of layers drawing together the unique insight of our five senses. During this course we will consider each of the layers that make up a place. How do we recognise, acknowledge and document these layers?
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Sarah Grace Dye
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Get ready for an unforgettable artistic adventure in the heart of Le Marche, Italy, next fall 2026! Spend a week soaking up the stunning scenery of rolling hills, ancient villages, and sparkling coastlines while diving into the world of line & wash watercolor painting. Led by the talented Sarah Whyte, this workshop is more than just a painting class—it’s a fresh way to see the world around you. Sarah’s down-to-earth teaching style will inspire you to sharpen your observation skills, uncovering the magic of light, color, and texture in nature. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned artist, Sarah will help you bring your own perspective to life surrounded by Italy’s breathtaking landscapes!
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Sarah Whyte
Cost: €3699
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

During this painting holiday, Ali will be exploring a variety of water-based media including watercolours, Brusho, water soluble pens & crayons, and acrylic inks. She will encourage you to experiment to your heart’s delight…and then guide you through planning and including some of these ideas in your paintings. Ali has a lot of exciting techniques to share. You will also be encouraged to use materials usually saved for the kitchen as well as materials from nature. You will be greatly encouraged to add texture and pattern and interest to your paintings. This could be anything from print to splattering techniques. Ali pushes her students to experiment and therefore evolve as artists. She is known for her enthusiastic and fun-loving approach.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Ali Hargreaves
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + £300 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Join textile artist Lora Avedian for a week of playful experimentation with textiles and hand embroidery, learning how to draw botanical motives with stitch. We will begin by creating experimental hand embroidery samples with the aim of developing nature-inspired hand embroidery techniques to make a textile artwork or embellish a pre-made item of our own. Looking at a variety of classic hand embroidery and embellishment techniques, you will learn how to play with scale and materials to create different qualities of line, 3D relief and texture, and how to combine this with three-dimensional fabric flowers. This will be an intensive and experimental week where you can learn Lora’s trade tips and tricks to create an original and dynamic mixed-media textile design of your own.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Lora Avedian
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + £445 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Join award-winning Japanese artist Keiko Tanabe for an unforgettable watercolor experience in Sicily! We are thrilled to welcome Keiko back to our island for the sixth time — a truly special opportunity to paint under her masterful guidance in one of the most inspiring destinations in the world. During this workshop, Keiko will guide you through a variety of subjects — from breathtaking Mediterranean seascapes and rolling landscapes to historic cityscapes and charming indoor scenes at our authentic Sicilian farmhouse. Keiko’s workshop is open to all skill levels — from enthusiastic beginners to experienced painters. .Limited spots available
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Keiko Tanabe
Cost: Starts at € 2500
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

Delve into the art of rug hooking with the guidance of hooked design expert and artist, Graham Hollick. Graham will lead you through every step of the creative process. Enjoy an inspiring excursion to the Pyrenees National Park where you will collect inspiration through sketching or photography or gathering items such as leaver or feathers. Back in the studio you will be guided through the process of developing these into a design. You will acquire simple yet highly effective techniques such as collage, plein-air sketching, colour matching, and textiles analysis, and will be encouraged to use recycled strips of textiles. Graham, with his warm personality and great humour, will be there to support you at every turn.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Graham Hollick
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + £350 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Join Cathy for an unforgettable art retreat in the heart Le Marche—where golden hills, winding cobblestone streets, and the warm hospitality of Hotel Leone create the perfect backdrop for artistic inspiration. Each day, you’ll dive into Cathy’s signature layered mixed media botanical techniques, using the Italian landscape as your muse. You’ll learn how to build rich, expressive pieces filled with color, texture, and story—infused with the joy of intuitive painting and the magic of place. But that’s only the beginning… Your adventure includes a special botanical eco-printing workshop at a family-run weaving farm, a curated tour of three local, family-run producers of wine, cheese, and olive oil—with a delicious lunch included, and a “pizza-giro” evening at a nearby trattoria!
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Cathy Nichols
Cost: €3799
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

We invite you to find inspiration in the beautiful surroundings of Clos Mirabel for our upcoming stencil printing workshop. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Pyrenees, our garden with its spring flowers provides a unique connection to nature that you can translate into your own fabric prints using the stencil printing techniques taught by textiles artist Pauline Greuell. Beyond our grounds, the extensive library at Clos Mirabel offers a wealth of additional inspiration for your creative projects. This workshop will guide you through layered stencil printing, a versatile technique perfect for creating both unique individual prints and repeating patterns. Open to all levels. Inclusive of all necessary materials, including fabric, so you can focus entirely on your creative exploration.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Pauline Greuell
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + 500€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Dyed and Gone to Heaven is all about play, experimentation and exploration. It is especially helpful for people who want to break out of a rut and reconnect with their creative spirit. During this week we’ll dye just about anything we can get our hands on. Liz Constable will guide you through a fun filled week of creative paper dyeing, book making and book binding. Liz has taught this technique to beginners through to accomplished artists. As she will be in the class to help and guide, those who want help will be able to enjoy her attention and those who want to free wheel will be left to do so.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Liz Constable
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + 1500 NZ$ for tuition
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Join textile artist and instructor Vicki Assegued in South West France for a week of playful experimentation. In this workshop, you’ll begin by wrapping a fiber core of your choosing with beautiful fabrics, yarns and strings, and then coiling it into any shape that you choose. You’ll learn to create and add all kinds of decorative elements, such as fringe, tassels and pom poms. We’ll also make other fun fiber parts to add to our baskets. You can attach additional embellishments, such as beads, jewelry parts, buttons, etc. Your basket will be unique to you. No experience is necessary. A lovely selection of gorgeous fabrics and yarns will be supplied, and you’re most welcome to optionally bring your own.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Vicki Assegued
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + $750 for tuition
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Your botanical art retreat will begin by taking in the enchanting grounds of Clos Mirabel, where you will source the most intriguing and inspiring found subjects. You will be exploring and painting rose hips, seeds, chestnuts, leaves, and acorns in all of the rich, vibrant, and beautiful colours that the season has to offer. Jarnie will share her techniques for mixing a wealth of vibrant colours including pure, natural greens, rich neutral browns and soft complex greys with just your primary hues. Using a limited palette, you will explore, play and experiment with colour mixing and layering clean, and vibrant watercolours. Also, learn how to manipulate and form natural texture, pattern and contrast using wet into damp, and dry brush techniques.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Jarnie Godwin
Cost: 1895€ to 2995€ for accommodation + £400 GBP for tuition
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91