FULL Print Summer School, Italy

FULL : please take a look at my Stitch Summer School in September 2022

This workshop focuses on collecting and exploring colour and image through printing on cloth.  It is timed to take in the Infiorata festival in Roccascalengna, when the streets are decorated in virant, colourful patterns. [also to conincide with the most sensible flight times/prices from London Stansted to Pescara].

Key techniques: Stencil printing, Manutex mono-printing and breakdown printing.

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.

“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”

The workshop only price is £600 : This includes 4 days of the workshop, materials and equipment, lunches [inc wine!] and refreshments on the workshop days, workshop transport, excursions and evening welcome meal.  

You are responsible for booking flights [at the time of writing = approx £170 return Standsted/Pescara with Ryanair].  

Other costs include: 

- accommodation at Hotel Al Duca [£40 - £65 pn depending on your room choice - first come first served.  I can book the hotel on your behalf [payable direct to the hotel during your stay] http://www.hotelalduca.it/  Please select your room prefereences via the hotel website...In order to facilitate transport each day, I do need everyone to stay at Al Duca [or meet there each day.]

- airport transfer 50 euros if applicable [payable locally]  

- evening drinks & snacks.

- any additional non workshop related excursions eg. pasta making workshop/yoga/wine tasting

There will be 6/8 students per week.

Example itinerary:

Arrival day – 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 meal: we'll meet in the hotel foyer for an aperitivi.

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 aperitivi!  Evenings are free time for you to enjoy…[there are extra optional, evening activities including pasta making workshop and yoga]

[the exact programme will fluctuate to accomade local festas and activities]

Day one 

Morning – Researching and collecting visual information.  The Abrussese coast line is dotted with spectacular ‘Trabocchi’ [wooden fishing platforms] – they are a truly special feature of the Abruzzo region & perfect visual stimuli! We shall enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near the beach.

Afternoon – Back at La Vecchia Scuola I shall introduce a technique to help you develop the images collected that morning.

Day two

Morning – Researching and collecting visual information.  We shall venture into the mountains and work ‘en plein air’ to capture the amazing vistas and landscapes of the Appeninnes: followed by a  traditional mountain lunch at a local Agriturismo.

Afternoon – Back at La Vecchia Scuola, I’ll demonstrate another new technique useful for developing that mornings images and incorporate yesterdays ideas and techniques.

Day three

Morning – Tornareccio, the nearest village, is known for its honey and its mosaics – we shall spend the morning investigating the latter through the small alleys, streets and piazzas of this pleasant hillside village: then its lunch at the local restaurant: Meditteraneo

Afternoon – Back at La Vecchia Scuola we shall look at incorporating further techniques into your new repertoire and discuss how you might move forward with your work.

Day four

Morning – Atessa…. we shall make a late start so you can absorb the sights and sounds of the local town: There are numerous amazing Baroque churches, beautiful cobble streets and ancient arches & doorways to explore:  you can enjoy lunch in one of the numerous restaurants and bars of Atessa

Afternoon – Time for some individual development, finishing off and review/discussion to help clarify your ideas

Departure day. 8am pick up from the hotel & transfer to the airport in Pescara.

What workshop supplies will you need to bring? 

Colour based media: inc colour sticks/pencils eg. caran d'ache neocolours [the 30 set are significantly better than the 15!]...I can send you links for suitable equipment, but you may already have something ideal.

A hard back A3 or A4 sketchbook with decent cartridge paper that can handle water.

Please bring a supply of rubber gloves.

Bear in mind it may be very warm – you may like a hat/suncream & a refillable water bottle…It can also be chillier than expected, so keep an eye on the weather report.

What supplies/materials/equipment will be provided for you at La Vecchia Scuola? 

Aprons, papers, scissors, tapes, paint & other mediums, fabrics, dyes etc…

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-ordinate collection/drop off with the main Stansted/Pescara flight.   Friday 17 June arriving 14.40/Wednesday 22 June departing 11.25

If you are travelling on another flight please arrange to be in Pescara at the appropriate time [I can also pick up from the bus/train station] or arrange alternative transport to the hotel. [Public transport is very limited and taxis are very expensive]

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.cinalli@hotelalduca.it] : 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 know this hotel well and it is perfect: its a small, well run hotel which has been recently re-modelled.  Its 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.  

Rooms 201, 202 & 203 have balconies and view across the town to the sea in the distance.  302/303/304/402 also have views but no balcony. 

Approx prices: Single room 40/45 euros, Twin 65 euros, Double 65 euros

If partners or family would like to join you after you've completed the workshop, I could recommend that you extend your stay at Casa Pietra : a delightful self catering Farmhouse in a beautiful spot, there are 4 double ensuite rooms in the main house and the Casetta sleeps 2 to 4 guests.  Robert, the English speaking owner can offer suggestions for further activities and places to visit.  There are many other options  & I can make suggestions if you wish.

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...