Mosaics in Italy with Rick Shelley

WORKSHOP COST:

4750.0€

Workshop Dates:

July 16, 2023 - July 30, 2023

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About the Workshop

Learn to create mosaics—the most enduring form of pictorial art with a master of the medium – in a country renowned for some of the most spectacular examples of mosaic art.

In this hands-on course, Rick Shelley will demonstrate the methods of mosaic production. Students will shape stone, glass, and ceramic into tesserae for their projects. Experiment with glues and cements to adhere tesserae onto the wooden panels provided. One class will concentrate on working with the beautiful and traditional practice of gold leafing glass. Using this simple, but remarkable technique, color of extraordinary depth is possible. A truly remarkable medium! Students will be encouraged to design and execute several small mosaics. The focus will be on form, outlines, shadows, and highlights. Simple images, letters, or symbols are ideal subjects.

The International Center for the Arts provides the perfect atmosphere to experience the mosaic arts. Surrounded by the Italian countryside, the studio at Monte Castello di Vibio is an oasis in which to work and learn. The course combines intensive instruction with excursions to nearby mosaic treasures. Roman mosaics, Byzantine mosaics, and contemporary mosaics will be studied for inspiration – and experienced in person! Our goal is to enjoy and create beautiful mosaics while being immersed in this wondrous experience.

All the while, 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. All supplies are included. The course will include visits to Florence and Rome and while in Rome will visit the Vatican Museums.Finally, as an additional excursion, we will visit Orvieto’s splendid medieval cathedral to see the exterior mosaics and interior frescos.

Our Mosaics in Italy with Rick Shelley workshop is a rare opportunity to study with a master of the medium in a country renowned for some of its greatest examples. All the while, participants will enjoy a rare immersion in traditional culture, enjoy incredible views made possible by our mountaintop location, delight in gourmet and traditional food prepared fresh by expert chefs from fresh, locally sourced ingredients all accompanied by excellent local wine (or optional selections from our wonderful Wine List, for an additional fee). It is a rare experience, available to only 10 participants.

About the Instructor

Included Amenities

Click on the links below for detailed information about our included amenities.

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Airport transfer from and to the Leonardo da Vinci Rome/Fiumicino Airport (FCO) aboard our private bus (on scheduled dates only). Bus departs the airport promptly at 12PM.
Airport welcome service and assistance with baggage
24/7 bi-lingual support with manager on site at all times
All ground transport aboard private buses or our ICA van, unless otherwise specified. Licensed and insured professional driver and ICA guide accompany all excursions. Orientation at each destination is provided as is departure coordination (guide service is available upon request — unless specified — for an additional fee)
Complimentary bottle of local wine provided in rooms on arrival day and complimentary locally made soap
Village orientation and complimentary drinks provided on arrival day
Private access to our 5-storey tower at our Palazzo Persiane (on sign-up basis) for spectacular morning and evening views
Access to our art materials shop (during posted hours)
Thorough orientation lecture and maps provided the evening before departure
Return transport to the Rome/Fiumicino Airport (departs 5:30AM) with rest stop
Departure service/airport assistance at airport

Unless otherwise specified, single occupancy accommodation is provided in rooms with a view of the Tiber Valley that includes sink and vanity. Rooms are with shared bath on each level (3 rooms per bath) in our 14th century convent building, The Asilo. Apartments, rooms with private bath and AC, double rooms, group or villa accommodations are available for couples, business associates/ friends, or groups for an additional fee
Linens and towels provided
Weekly housekeeping service with change of towels and linens
Free washing machine access
Good Wi-Fi connection and access to our library and film collection

3 chef-catered, gourmet meals per day (buffet breakfast, 3-course lunch, 4-course dinner) — with wine at lunch and dinner (table wine provided at lunch and dinner. An excellent wine list is offered at additional cost), while in Monte Castello
Group dining service is as follows, with breakfast and lunch served in our dining room, etc, with dinner (weather permitting) served on our private terrace overlooking the Tiber Valley
Lunch and dinner are plated as follows: pasta course, main course, vegetable, fruit/salad, dessert
When requested at registration, vegetarian, vegan, and special dietary options are provided
After dinner drinks on our terrace overlooking the Tiber valley
Dining service is as follows: Breakfast: 8:00 AM; Lunch: 1:00PM; Dinner: 8:00 PM. No meals are served on Fridays (excursion day) unless otherwise specified
On Saturday and Sunday, a full buffet brunch with fresh pastry and Prosecco is served at 11:00 AM
On Saturday, homemade, wood-fired pizza is served at 7:00 PM (except on departure days, when a special farewell dinner is served)
Sunday dinner with antipasti is served at 7:00 PM
Farewell dinner on the evening prior to departure

24/7 access to our primary building and library is provided, including access to workspaces, studios, and ceramics facility
Special access to certain cultural and art collections is available upon request
private, or semi-private secure and monitored studio space is provided (24/7 access)
Free access to lectures and events at the Teatro Concordia
An end of the session exhibition with reception that includes hors d'oeuvres and Prosecco in our gallery. Posters are prepared to promote the event with copies provided to all participants

1 excursion per week is included (unless otherwise specified in the itinerary) aboard our private bus. Additional trips can of course be scheduled and given our central location. (Day trips are possible to as far north as Siena or Florence and as far south as Rome.)

Advanced reservations and ticket purchases for groups and individuals
Concierge services provided upon request at an hourly rate
Restaurant reservations (provided under Concierge services)
Car rental
Critique series with visiting visual artists
Artist materials workshops
Drawing and painting sessions from the figure
Cooking classes
Cheesemaking workshop
Pizza-making workshop
Kids cooking classes
Wine appreciation and Sommelier Courses
Wine and olive oil tastings
Vineyard tours
Truffle hunting
Ballroom dance classes
Weekend excursions to flea markets and natural sites
Shopping excursions to cashmere and leather outlets, to Deruta famous for fine painted traditional ceramics, and antique stores
Overnight excursions to the sea and day-trips to Rome beaches
Hot air balloon tours
Hot springs excursions
Lake Trasimeno tours
Umbria abandoned castle and fortress tour
Sustainable farming tour
Babysitting services
Soccer, archery, and horseback riding camps for kids
Motorized mountain bike rentals
Electric car rental
Golf-cart tours of Rome and Florence
Hiking/naturalist guides to national/regional parks - mountain hiking available
Fishing/Hunting Excursions

Payment Options

Payment in full (€500 non-refundable deposit is included. No refunds will be issued within 60 days prior to the start of the workshop. See refund policy for more details).
Non-refundable €500 deposit (Balance due must be paid a minimum of 30 days prior to workshop).
Balance payment (after €500 deposit).

Required Forms

All ICA participants; whether coming independently, with a group or through a college / university, must provide the following completed forms and information to icarts.info@gmail.com at least 2 weeks prior to attending their program.

Emergency Contact & Medical Information »Liability Waiver »

Proof of Insurance / Travel Insurance

Itinerary and Passport

For detailed information and to download the required forms, please visit our Guides and Forms page.

Itinerary

Name: Mosaics in Italy with Rick Shelley
Start: 2023-07-16T00:00:00+02:00
End: 2023-07-30T23:59:59+02:00
Location: International Center For The Arts

Day 1 (Sunday July 16th)

Arrive Rome/Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO); Bus Departs FCO at 12:00 PM
Arrival at Monte Castello di Vibio appx.: 2:30 PM:Lunch/Orientation/Rest/ Tour of village/
Dinner

Day 2 (Monday July 17th)

8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Explore mosaic tools and materials with a demonstration of glass cutters, mosaic nippers and pliers for making tesserae. Students will learn to cut sheet glass into tiny squares, triangles, circles, and other geometric shapes for use in their projects.
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or Independent work
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.

Day 3 (Tuesday July 18th)

8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: After a brief study of the Cosmati geometric style and the Byzantine style, students will design and execute a small glass mosaic on a wooden panel provided for the project.
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Orvieto Trip
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or Independent work
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.

Day 4 (Wednesday July 19th)

8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Students will continue working on mosaic projects. The studio is available at all times (including weekends). Participants are encouraged to make several mosaics.
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or Independent work
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.

Day 5 (Thursday July 20th)

8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Learn to make shimmering tesserae by applying gold and silver metal leaf to clear glass. Gold tesserae was used particularly in background to create an other-worldly atmosphere and to accent images.
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or Independent work
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.

Day 6 (Friday July 21st)

Excursion: Florence: Visit Florence to see the exquisite mosaic inlays on Orcagna’s Tabernacle at Orsanmichele and then move on to study the elaborate 13^th century Florence Baptistery ceiling filled with bands of saints, angels, and demons. The afternoon is free to explore the many treasures Florence offers.

Day 7 (Saturday July 22nd)

Morning: free or Independent work
11:00 AM Brunch
Afternoon: free or independent work

Day 8 (Sunday July 23rd)

Morning: free or Independent work
11:00 AM Brunch
Afternoon: free or independent work

Day 9 (Monday July 24th)

8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Use the gold tesserae (made the previous week) for backgrounds and accents.
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or Independent work
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.

Day 10 (Tuesday July 25th)

8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Explore three dimensional mosaics, mosaic garden decoration, fountains, and sculptural mosaics
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or Independent work
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.

Day 11 (Wednesday July 26th)

8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Grout and polish finished projects.
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or Independent work
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.

Day 12 (Thursday July 27th)

8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or Independent work
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.

Day 13 (Friday July 28th)

Excursion: Rome: At the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore we will study the Cosmati style floor, the 5^th century panel mosaics, and 9th century mosaics above the altar. At the Basilica of San Clemente we will examine the 11^thcentury apse filled with gold tesserae and holy images. At the Palazzo Massimo we will enjoy the finest examples of Roman mosaics and decorative arts (especially Empress Livia’s fantastic frescoed dining room).

Day 14 (Saturday July 29th)

Morning: free or Independent work
11:00 AM Brunch
Afternoon: free or independent work

Day 15 (Sunday July 30th)

Rome/Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) - Bus Departs Monte Castello at 5:30 AM