Drawing into Textiles Summer School, Italy

Take you drawing into textiles...Explore drawing and expand your powers of observation whilst enjoying the beautiful region of Abruzzo, central Italy. 

Drawing is the back bone of my creative practice, it underpins everything I do.  It's the essential starting point.  Intense observation leads to power, personal drawing and mark making:  Come and enjoy the coastline and villages of Abruzzo - capture their delights on paper, then let me show you how you might consider developing these notions to cloth and thread.  We will cover some accessible silk screen printing techniques, hand and machine stitch

Let me lead you through this adventure, guide and stretch you.  Let me take you off the usual tourist trail and show you authenic Italia.

This summer school provides you with the opportunity to explore in an inspiring atmosphere with a highly experienced tutor. You’ll leave with a bundle of experiments and ideas which will inspire and full further projects for many moons to come…not to mention great memories of a fantastic creative adventure in this wonderful region of Italy.  It's a workshop & holiday combined, a true creative adventure.

“Dionne’s Summer School has been a great success and an amazing experience visiting stunning locations with lovely companions and following a creative programme which inspired, motivated and challenged in equal measures . Dionne is a brilliant teacher and skilled communicator and this week has enabled me to develop an exciting repertoire for future work . I just can’t wait to return to continue this creative journey. Many thanks to Dionne and the friends I made at La Vecchia Scuola”

Read more reviews here

You could also take a look at some of my Italian inspired pieces

I appreicate that given the last few years of restricted travel that you may like to have a chat about this summer school before you book.  Please feel free to get in touch, I can talk it through with you and offer you the reassurance that you need. +44 (0) 7974747080 

The workshop only price is £750 : This includes tution, materials and equipment, lunches and refreshments on the workshop days, workshop transport and welcome aperitivo. 

You are responsible for booking flights [approx £150 return at the time of writing] and accommodation at Hotel Al Duca [£250 – £360, paid on arrival - I can book the room directly for you], airport transfer 50 euros [if required, payable locally]. 6/7 students, so you will have plenty of individual attention from me and my 30 my 30 years tutoring experience.  

Example itinerary:

Arrival evening – I will be there to greet you on arrival at Pescara Airport. It's a 1 hour transfer to Atessa and Hotel Al Duca, once you have freshened up everyone is invited to a welcome aperitivo.

Each day of the workshop I will pick you up at 9.30am at Hotel Al Duca and return you there for 5.30pm after a full day of creativity & just in time for aperitivo!  Evenings are free time for you to enjoy and explore Atessa…

Itinerary [its loose and open to tweaks!!]:

Tuesday evening  - I'll collect you from Prescara & you can get settled into the hotel & enjoy a local aperitivo. 

Wednesday we are discovering the mosaics in Tornareccio's Open Air Gallery - drawing and painting en plein air....with an interlude for a bit of traditional pasta making at a local Agriturismo [optional]

Thursday is market day in Atessa, so I'll let you enjoy the sights and sounds as well as pick up some bargains! There maybe some drawing to do in the town and lunch will be local before we head back to the studio

Friday is Trabocco day - at the coast there are these amazing fishing platforms that jut out to sea, there's a chance to swim if you wish but we are actually there to consider line and negative space!  Plus there will be a bit of hand stitch...

Saturday takes us to Monte Pallano and the beautiful vistas of Lago di Bomba, we'll enjoy the idyllic village of Colledimezzo and make pizza al fresco....

Sunday there will still be studio time and an opportunity to review the week.  You'll say 'arriverderci' to La Vecchia Scuola and Bella Italia  - you'll be full of creative ideas, have a phone full of beautiful images, a sketch book or 2 jingling with anticipation, there will be loads of lovely drawings and captured moments of your adventures, there will new ways of working, you may have put on a few pounds in gelato and pasta but you may also be a little sun-kissed and glowing with the joys of Bella Italia

I'll drop you back in Pescara in plenty of time to catch your flight

What workshop supplies will you need to bring? 

Drawing/sketching media – A range of graphite pencils: coloured pencils are also ideal [sometimes watercolour pencils can be a little softer and give stronger colour] 

A hard back sketchbook minimum A4 size  - I like wire bound Pink Pig books.

Camera/ipad

Everything else you require will be at La Vecchia Scuola

Bear in mind it may be very warm – you may like a hat/suncream & a refillable water bottle…

Getting there

The nearest airport is Pescara https://www.ryanair.com there are regular flights from Stansted, UK and other European airports.  I will co-ordination collection from the main Stansted flight. [FR982 Standsted - Pescara] [FR983 Pescara - Standsted] If you are travelling via an alternative route please get in touch and I can advise [Mobile 07974747080]

Some students find it easier to fly to Rome – there is a bus that connects from right outside the terminal [of both the Roman airports] to Pescara [approx 2.5 hours €27 bookable online] Prontobus http://www.prontobusitalia.it If you aim to arrive to coincide with airport collections/drop offs, I can whizz by the bus station to collect you as well 🙂

Accommodation

Hotel Al Duca in Atessa  : Antonio is lovely and incredibly ammenable.  Al Duca is well placed in the centre of Atessa where there are a range of bars and restaurants all in strolling distance.  I will book this on your behalf/I have already provisionally held a series of rooms.

I know this hotel well and it is perfect: its a small, well run hotel which has been recently re-modelled.  It's exceptionally clean and the restaurant is well regarded in the area – there’s free wifi and access to the local public swimming pool a short walk away.

If partners or family would like to join you after you've completed the workshop, then I have a series of options for you - call for a chat, that's the quickest solution!

If you have a group of like minded friends and would like a tailor-made workshop in Abruzzo, please get in touch and we can make some plans.

Please see the FAQ and get in touch if you have any queries...