Italian Textile Summer School 2025 Expressions of Interest

Discover the delights the beautiful region of Abruzzo, central Italy, whilst developing textile techniques.  I'm am currently taking expressions of interest for June & September 2025 Summer Schools.

NB. those who express their interest by RSVP on this page, will be the first to know of new dates/have the opportunity to join me in 2025: Thank you.

"Dionne met us at the airport, ferried us around all week, took us to fantastic places for lunch, as well as teaching us how to paint from threads during our stay in the beautiful Abruzzo region. No day was the same - drawing, exploring, learning to look, time in the lovely studio stitching, as well as pasta making and massage !   The weather was perfect and I returned with new skills, new ideas and new friends. Wonderful!"  Annie 2024

I have recently moved to a new much larger studio space in Abruzzo and I haven't decided the exact workshop titles for next year, [it could be stitch, drawing or print orientated...I'm working it out!]

My summer schools provide 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

Once flights schedules are released and I can confirm dates, I will contact you in the order in which you have expressed your interest, to offer you a place.  Should places fill before you are contacted, I shall ensure you are at the top of the list for the next available Italian event.  Alternatively you can book a private summer school - please give me a call to discuss the options. +44(0)7974747080

The workshop price will be in the region of £950 [flights schedules may suggest a longer or shorter time period]: This includes workshop tuition, materials and equipment, lunches and refreshments on the workshop days, workshop transport and welcome aperitivo.

[Flight & accomodation costs are not included]

Example itinerary:

Day One/Arrival day – I will be there to greet you on arrival at Pescara Airport. It's a 1 hour transfer to the Hotel, once you have freshened up we'll gatehr together for a welcome aperitivo.

Each day of the workshop I will pick you up at 9.30am at Hotel  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 in the local town…

Day two

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 the studio I shall introduce a technique to help you develop the images collected that morning.

Day three

Morning – Market day!!! So I'll give you some time to take in the sights and sounds as well as picking up a few bargains!  Then  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 studio, I’ll demonstrate another new technique useful for developing that mornings images and incorporate yesterdays ideas and techniques.

Day four

Morning – Tornareccio 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 it's lunch at the local restaurant.

Afternoon – Back at the studio we shall look at incorporating further techniques into your new repertoire and discuss how you might move forward with your work.  In the evening there will be the opportunity to learn traditional pasta making skills too...another little thing for your repertoire!!

Day five

We head to the Trabbochi coast.... we'll use these spectualar fishing platform structures to inspire drawings and stitch - we'll lunch at the coast, there will be time for a swim, a relax on the beach, a gelato or even an aperol spritz!

Day six

The Final day, but still time to be in the studio and to consider different methods of finishing/mounting/presentation pieces. You’ll have time to complete your work as well as review and evaluate [individually and with the group]

Day Seven/ Departure Day

I shall collect you all from the hotel and get you back to Pescara Airport [or train/bus station] in good time for your onward travel.

Getting there

The nearest airport is Pescara https://www.ryanair.com there are regular flights from Stansted, UK and other European airports.  I usually co-ordination collection from the main Stansted flight. [FR982 Standsted - Pescara] [FR983 Pescara - Standsted] yet if interested parties are predominently for another part of the country we can look at alternatives - there are plenty of options.

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

I have partnered with a hotel where all student stay and enjoy the local town together - there you can have the freedom to explore the town in the evenings and enjoy 'La Bella Vita'

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...

Please add yourself to this expressions of interest list and get in touch if you would like to discuss the possibilties