July 13 - July 20

How to Bring an Animal Sculpture to Life with Nick Mackman

How to Bring an Animal Sculpture to Life with Nick Mackman

WORKSHOP COST:
3.650,0€
Workshop Dates:
July 13 - July 20
Request More Info

About the Workshop

Our in-depth animal sculpture workshop will allow you to immerse yourself in your art. Nick will demonstrate the importance of observation, show you how to make an emotional connection with your subject and realize your own creative vision. Our extended workshop format allows plenty of time for instruction and practical work.

Under Nick’s expert guidance, you will make your own animal sculpture. Combining a mix of one-to-one and group demonstration and tuition, Nick will teach you building techniques and help you hone your modeling skills. No prior experience is needed and all the tools and materials you’ll need are provided.

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.

 

A Note to Participants:

When packing:

  • Please bring no solvents or flammable or perishable materials. 

Materials to bring from home:

  • Packing Materials including: 3 x newspapers for sculpture and packing material such as bubble wrap
  • Sturdy shopping bag to take sculpture in carry-on luggage on flight home. Sculpture weight 2-5kgs
  • Animal Subject References: You should decide in advance what animal you would like to model and research photos showing different views of your subject in the desired pose. Remember that sculpture is three dimensional, so you will need good information about your animal from all directions. If you’re a beginner, we recommend you choose an animal you know well and a non-standing pose. Bringing the info on an Ipad is preferable
  • When returning: Please bear in mind that you will be returning with your sculpture as Carry-on luggage. Participants should be warned that shipping anything to or from Monte Castello can be extremely problematic due to complications with Italian Customs. Please DO NOT plan on shipping your sculpture.  

Meet The Instructors

Nick Mackman
Nick Mackman is an award-winning animal sculptor, working in both ceramic and bronze. Her art is informed by her life-long love of animals, based on long hours of detailed observation, and is a continually evolving exploration of animal behaviour. Her animal sculpture is prized for its striking intensity and personality. In 2015 she won the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Artist of the Year competition. Nick’s work is highly sought after and is held in countless private collections. She has accepted commissions from British Airways and the internationally renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Nick has been leading workshops around the world for more than ten years. She is a gifted instructor, and her workshops often sell out in a matter of days. As well as demonstrating her unique approach and techniques, she will inspire you with a whole new appreciation of the animal kingdom.  

Included Amenities

Click on the links below for detailed information about our included amenities.
View Amenities Page »
  • 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
  • FOR VISUAL ARTISTS: private, or semi-private secure and monitored studio space is provided (24/7 access)
  • FOR WRITERS: private workspace is provided (24/7 access)
  • FOR GROUPS: Group workspace 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

Refund/Cancellation Policy

Payment in full must be made within 30 days of submission of € 500 (Euro) non-refundable deposit in order to hold the reservation.

Payment in full is required within 60 days of the start of the workshop- no participant will be admitted to our airport transfer with an outstanding balance.

All payments are non-refundable after payment in full has been made - however, under certain circumstances (see below) credit from one course may be utilized for another within a one-year period.

Session Cancellation by ICARTS

ICARTS only “cancels” retreats in the event of low enrollment or in circumstances in which providing the opportunity to re-schedule is not possible.

In circumstances in which travel is interrupted due to travel restrictions or health protocols, Force Majeure (such as a: strike, riot, acts of God) ICARTS WILL NOT CANCEL and will re-schedule programs to the soonest reasonable opportunity.

In case of death or illness. of instructor, a substitution will be made at the discretion of ICARTS

Each ICA Retreat requires a minimum number of participants in attendance - including the Residency Program. While the minimum enrollment number may vary according to the timing and duration of the session, the limit is typically, six (6), to nine (9)

If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we reserve the the right to cancel those programs.

If deemed necessary, notification of cancellation will be made as soon as possible following the close of Registration or typically, 30 days before the start of the session/course/tour/event.

When a condition arises that results in a cancellation, participants will be notified and the class will be rescheduled to a later date.

In event that ICA determines that enrollment for a particular session/Retreat is insufficient, ICA will typically offer you:

(a) an option to join an alternative session/course/tour/event, within a one-year period or

(b) to defer your participation until the rescheduled date of the intended workshop

Cancellation by the Participant

Cancellation by the participant is not possible however, in certain circumstances - such as illness of the participant or illness or death of a close relative or spouse - payment may be applied to another workshop within a one-year period.

Candidates seeking to cancel due to personal hardship, illness, or death should contact the ICA in writing, stating full personal and course details. In this case, fees paid  – excluding deposit - MAY BE applied to another workshop within a one-year period. However, this withdrawal and substitution may not cause the enrollment to fall below the minimum number, and this is the case substitutions cannot be made.

Up to 90 days before a session/course/tour/event starts a participant may also request a transfer to another session/tour/course/event, provided the original session/tour/course/event still has the minimum number of participants.

NOTE:

In cases of Force Majeure (such as a: strike, riot, acts of God, unforeseen illness or death, or death of a family member) we highly recommend that your travel insurance policy include coverage for any trip cancellation that may occur prior to or afterdeparture. Policy coverage varies. Often, it is advantageous to purchase your coverage prior to reservation payments with us and your flight provider. Check your specific policy carefully for more information. See the travel insurance section of the ParticipantHandbook for more information.

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

Day 1: Sunday, July 13, 2025

  • 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/ Overview/ Rest/ Tour of village/ Dinner

Day 2: Monday, July 14, 2025

  • 8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
  • 9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Nick Presentation and Demo
  • 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  • 2:00 – 7:00 Afternoon Session
  • 8:00 – 9:00 Dinner

Day 3: Tuesday, July 15, 2025

  • 8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
  • 9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session
  • 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  • 2:00 – 7:00 Afternoon Session
  • 8:00 – 9:00 Dinner

Day 4: Wednesday, July 16, 2025

  • 8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
  • 9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session
  • 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  • 2:30 - 5:30 Afternoon session
  • 5:30- 7:00 Move work to drying area
  • 8:00 – 9:00 Dinner

Day 5: Thursday, July 17, 2025

  • Excursion: Florence: Duomo and Duomo Museum Depart 7:00 AM/Return 7:00 PM (Work will continue air-drying in Monte Castello)
  • 8:00 Load kiln
  • Pizza party

Day 6: Friday, July 18, 2025

 

  • 8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
  • 9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Firing/Cooling
  • 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  • 2:00 – 7:00 Afternoon: Deruta trip/ wine tasting at Conti Faina
  • 8:00 – 9:00 Dinner

Day 7: Saturday, July 19, 2025

  • Morning: Move sculptures to gallery and organize packing area
  • 11:00 AM Brunch
  • Afternoon: Set up for Exhibition
  • 5- 6:30 PM Exhibition
  • 7-8 Pack work in gallery
  • 8:30 PM Farewell Dinner

Day 8: Sunday, July 20, 2025

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