MARYANN NARDO – The Art of Floral Design
$4,500
Spend 7 days learning the living art of floral design, making flower-centric excursions into the small hill towns of Umbria with Maryann Nardo.
This is a dedicated deep dive into the art and craft of floral design, for students of this special artform to discover and deepen their unique style, whether they have been doing it for a while or are a newcomer.
Often when one travels to a foreign country, it is go-go-go. See and do as much as you can. This in not that kind of experience. While there will be some excursions, two full days will be spent at La Romita, removed from the hustle of bustle of tourist activity, being fed and taken care of. This experience is designed to occur at a slower pace. It is a Flower Retreat.
Flowers do not rush. Arrangements live and breathe, and the act of creation with this living medium requires its artists to pause, savor the moments and relax into playful exploration. What better way to discover and connect with the people who growing the flowers in a slower, authentic Italy? What better place to explore their beautiful floral and botanical offerings?
The Umbrian Light: Mastering Color and Luminosity in Acrylics – with Robert Minervini
EARLY REGISTRATION PRICE: 3485
Immerse yourself in the Umbrian “green heart” of Central Italy! Join Minervini, an experienced Italian-American professional artist and educator, for a unique painting workshop in the captivating region surrounding Terni, Umbria.This experience is designed to blend the slow, simple pace of the Italian lifestyle with an intense, insightful artistic journey.
Our primary focus is specifically on the transformative power of water-based acrylics—a versatile, non-toxic medium prized for its speed, rich layering capabilities, and ability to achieve brilliant luminosity.
Our color exploration begins outdoors. We will conduct daily excursions to sites in and around Terni and the Umbrian countryside, finding inspiration in everything from the ancient hill towns and sun-drenched olive groves to the dramatic effects of light on form. Technically, the workshop will center on advanced color mixing and theory, specifically how to translate the unique palette and natural atmosphere of Central Italy into powerful, harmonious paintings.
You will master new acrylic techniques in paint handling, including glazing and layering—essential for achieving both luminous color and rich texture in your work.
Instruction follows a unique, structured methodology. We will embrace a dual focus, using small, fast plein air studies to capture the fleeting effects of light outdoors. These serve as the fundamental basis for developing larger, more resolved pieces during our dedicated studio time at La Romita’s spacious chapel studio.
Crucially, we integrate structured instruction across subjects like still life, landscape, and figure to practice telling compelling visual stories. This component reinforces fundamental lessons of composition, form, depth, and how light interacts with objects—lessons that are vital and directly applicable to your broader painting journey.
Artists will come away with much more than memories. They will gain a tangible, refined methodology for composition and color, a deeper understanding of the possibilities of acrylics, and the confidence to interpret the world through their own unique artistic lens, grounded in the timeless beauty of Italy. All materials, local transportation, and delicious meals are included once you arrive on site, ensuring a seamless, focused, and immersive experience.
