You may know the tragic story of Cassandra: she prophesied the truth but was destined not to be heard or believed.  Often, we treat our creative voice in a similar way. While it is unique to every one of us, the question is do we leave space to hear and understand our muse’s song? “We must learn to be a soothsayer for our soul,” says Kirsten, “and listen beyond the din of disbelief in the head and the fear of being misunderstood in the heart.”

Let’s awaken and rewild the tale of our creative muse to give her voice again. This unique sculptural retreat combines technical ceramic figurative instruction and mixed media book arts to harness the creative voice that sings in us all. Studio instruction will be accompanied by site visits to inspire, such as the underground Etruscan dwellings in Orvieto, local antique markets, and the Monster Park outside Rome.  As an incubator for soulful expression, Italy is full of myths, histories, and legends that echo in the art and landscape.

During this retreat Kirsten will guide the class to build a 50% life size torso to hang on the wall.  Kirsten has a step-by-step approach to figurative ceramics that is easily accessible.  Her class demonstrations are followed-up with individual tutorials, enabling her to help each student achieve their narrative vision.  In addition, Kirsten will guide the class to expand and strengthen the narrative potential by making an assemblage fiber scroll book that will hang from the torso. Participants will walk away with a knowledge of techniques such as rusting, eco dye, photo transfer, collage, book arts, stitch and mark making.

This class is for ALL LEVELS: whether you have never touched clay but yearn to stretch your creative potential, or if you are a seasoned ceramicists that want to add a few new techniques to your toolbox.

Participants will be housed in the remarkably well-preserved Umbrian hill town of Monte Castello di Vibio.  Your workshop package is all-inclusive, providing welcome and departure services and airport transfer from the Rome Fiumicino, Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO). Aboard our comfortable private bus, single occupancy accommodations with shared bath (a wide range of upgrades with private bath are available), 3 meals per day Monday-Thursday, Prosecco brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday (no meals are served on Friday, our excursion day. Your workshop includes one excursion per week and many additional options are available on weekends for an additional fee. Of course, 24/7 access to facilities and 24/7 bi-lingual support are provided.

Early Bird Workshop Special: Register and pay in full before December 22, 2025 and save 10%!  Just use Discount code: zejzwzeg when registering.