August 3, 2025 - August 17, 2025

Living in the Play: Nido Residency 3

Living in the Play: Nido Residency 3

WORKSHOP COST:
2.800,0€
Workshop Dates:
August 3, 2025 - August 17, 2025
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About the Workshop

Living in the Play: Nido* Residency, brings together an international consortium of artists to Monte Castello di Vibio, Italy, for a two-week artist residency that culminates in an exhibition of artworks and corresponding catalog.  *It.: "Nest".

During the residency, your goal individually and collectively is to explore the social historical landscape, use of land resources, and the hidden histories of Monte Castello di Vibio and the surrounding region. This will inform and guide our conversations and contribute to the making practices of each artist amongst Living in the Play: nido.

This residency is in partnership with The Poor Farm Experiment in rural Wisconsin, USA, which has hosted Living In the Play since 2018. We are invested in creating spaces that uplift and connect fellow artists. Our goal is to gather artists through intentional actions that foster community. With a focus on inviting multi-generational and diverse pools of artists, we aim to offer art practitioners ways of engaging their practice with a focused depth of ideas around site, play, and community.

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.  Please consult the Participant Guide for valuable, practical information before travel.    (https://icaitaly.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Participant_guide-2019.pdf )

 

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Meet The Instructors

Kelly Kaczynski
Kelly Kaczynski is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, curator, and Professor Adjunct at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  Current Interests are, sculpture and its languages; the amalgamation of physical and virtual (as physical); the awkward body; twinning, bifurcation, birthings; generative failure; things and sentience “Kelly has previously produced large-scale installations, focusing on the stage as a site of inclusive narrative-building through works produced for the University of Buffalo Art Gallery and the Hyde Park Art Center. Kelly’s adopted roll of director turned her focus inward to the studio, observing the choreography associated with the performance of making. Recently Kelly has begun to deconstruct the stage by letting its objectness inform her work—obscuring its shape through video, and building upon its form through print.” (http://insidewithin.com/kelly-kaczynski/) Kelly has been a Lecturer in Sculpture, Fibers and Materials (2014). BA, 1995, The Evergreen State College, WA; MFA, 2004, Bard College, NY. Exhibitions: Suburban, Milwaukee; Echo Park Film Center, Los Angeles; Peregrineprogram, Chicago; Songs for Presidents, Brooklyn; Ortega y Gasset Projects, Brooklyn; Soap Factory, Minneapolis; The University of Western Ontario, Canada; Eastern Washington University and Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane; threewalls, Chicago. Curatorial: Roving Room, Habersham Mills, GA; Virtually Physically Speaking, Columbia College, Chicago; Mouthing (a sentient limb), Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago. Publications: Shifter 20: What We Can Knot; One Picture, One Paragraph, saint-lucy.com. Bibliography: Chicago Artist Writers, June 2015; ArtSlant Worldwide, 2015; Temporary Art Review, 2014; Marcel Duchamp; Etant Donnes, 2009. Collections: Masi Kolb Collection, Los Angeles. Awards: 2015 Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation.    
Mark Jeffery

Mark Jeffery (B. 1973, UK) is a performance artist, choreographer, collaborator, and curator. He is Chair of The Performance Department and Full Professor at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since 1994 Mark has developed unconventional collaborations with visual artists, video artists, sound artists, code artists, dancers, and cows.

Since 2020 he has collaborated with Lucy Cash on their film and installation project Winterage: Last Milk.

In 2012, he co-founded the language, performance, and technology collective Anatomical Theatres of Mixed Reality (ATOM-r). ATOM-r premiered its first work The Operature in 2014 at the National Museum of Health and Science, Chicago. In 2017 ATOM-r premiered Kjell Theøry at The Graham Foundation Chicago. In 2018, ATOM-r presented Rhinestone Cowboy, performed with cows at 606, Chicago. ATOM-r presented I Love The Dead at Gallery 400, Chicago in February 2023.

Since Summer 2019 Mark has collaborated with Kelly Kaczynski  on a residency  project at The Poor Farm, Wisconsin and since 2023 NIDO LIVING IN THE PLAY, Monte Castello di Vibio, Italy.

Mark was a former member of the internationally renowned Goat Island Performance Group from 1996 - 2009. Goat Island toured and taught extensively across North America and Europe. In 2019, The Chicago Cultural Center presented an exhibition dedicated to the work of Goat Island.

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)
  • 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)
  • FOR CERAMIC ARTISTS: 24/7 access to our ceramics facility
  • 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
  • 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

Day 1: Sunday, August 3

  • Arrive Rome/Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO). Please note: Our bus Departs FCO promptly at 12:00 PM.  Regrettably, our pick up schedule will not support flights arriving after 11:00 AM.  Those arriving after this time will need to make travel arrangements to come to Monte Castello at their own expense.  Please consult the Participant Guide for information on transport.                                                                      (https://icaitaly.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Participant_guide-2019.pdf )
  • Arrival at Monte Castello di Vibio appx.: 2:30 PM:Lunch/ Orientation/ Rest/ Tour of village/ Dinner

Day 2: Monday, August 4

  • 8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
  • 9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Settling in studio spaces
  • 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  • 2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Settling in studio spaces
  • 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, August 5

  • Excursion: La Scarzuola and Orvieto
  • 7:30 Depart (Breakfast en route not included)
  • 7:30 Return to MC
  • Independent dinner not included

Day 4: Wednesday, August 6

 

  • 8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
  • 9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Settling in studio spaces
  • 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  • 2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Settling in studio spaces
  • 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, August 7

  • Excursion: Narni, Bomarzo, Stifone
  • Bomarzo: Park of the Monsters (https://www.sacrobosco.eu/)
  •  Orvieto
    • S. Patricks Well
    • Duomo
    • Underground Orvieto (Independent Lunch (not included)
  • Stifone
  • Return to Monte Castello
  • Independent dinner not included

Day 6: Friday, August 8

Day 7: Saturday, August 9


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  • Morning: Hardware store shuttle 9:00 AM / Free or Independent work
  • 11:00 AM Brunch
  • Afternoon: Free or Independent work
  • 8:00 - 9:00 Dinner
  • 9:00 - 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.

 

Day 8: Sunday, August 10

 

  • Morning: Free or Independent work
  • Optional Excursion: Bella Napoli Pastry Shop/Todi Flea Market.

   

  • 11:00 AM Brunch For those in Monte Castello (Lunch will not be provided for those on the excursion)
  • Afternoon: Free or Independent work
  • Optional Excursion: La Scarzuola (https://www.lascarzuola.it/en/)
  • 8:00 - 9:00 Dinner
  • 9:00 - 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc..

Day 9: Monday, August 11

  • 8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
    • Hardware store shuttle 9:00 AM
  • 9:30 – 1:00 Morning Studio
  • 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  • 2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Studio
  • 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.

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Day 10: Tuesday, August 12

  • 8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
  • 9:30 – 1:00 Morning Studio
  • 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  • 2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Studio
  • 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.

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Day 11: Wednesday, August 13

  • 8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
    • Hardware store shuttle 9:00 AM
  • 9:30 – 1:00 Morning Studio
  • 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  • 2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Studio
  • 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, August 14 Nido Exhibition and Performance/Ferragosto Holiday in Italy

August 15 is the Ferragosto Holiday in Italy.  Established by the Romans in the rein of Augustus, around 18 BC, the Feriae Agusti, is still celebrated today. Christians moved the holiday from august 1 - August 15, in order to make the holiday a celebration of the Virgin Mary. During this rein, Mussolini nationalized the holiday for worksers and promoted travel to the sea or mountains with discounted train fares for the working class. Italians still celebrate the holiday and choose to celebrate it for vacations of up to a month! (Typically, time is spent as a week at the beach.)

Many Italians today, also visit villages - typically with familial heritage - and many people come to Monte Castello. We will utilize the opportunity to host an exhibition/performance of participants work and sponsor a reception in the square. We anticipate a brilliant event!

  • 8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
  • 9:30 – 1:00 Set up for show
  • 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  • 2:00 – 5:30 Set up for show
  • 6:30 – 8:00 Reception and Exhibition
  • 8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
  • 9:00 – 10:30 Performance at Teatro (if available, if not – performance in central square)

Day 13: Friday, August 15

  • 8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
  • 9:30 – 1:00 Free Time to document work
  • 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  • 2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Studio
  • 6:30 – 8:00 Free
  • 8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
  • 9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.

Day 14: Saturday, August 16

  • Morning: Free or Independent work / Deinstall exhibition / Pack
  • 11:00 AM Brunch
  • Afternoon: Free or Independent work / Deinstall exhibition / Pack
  • Optional Excursion: Church of San Galgano and Hotsprings (additional fee)
  • 8:00 – 9:00 Farewell Dinner
  • 9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.

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Day 15: Sunday August 17

  • Rome/Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO); Bus Departs Monte Castello at 5:30 AM.  We strongly recommend arriving 3 hours before your flight. With this in mind, our shuttle cannot support departures before 11:00 (+/-) and participants with earlier departures will need to make arrangements on their own and at their own expense.
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