Be inspired by the amazing interiors of the Ducal Palace of Sassuolo, the Baroque summer home of the Este Family from Modena, built in 1634. Create your own studies, drawings and paintings in response to the architecture, landscape and history of this fascinating part of Northern Italy.
Katie also uses writing and meditation in her teaching as well as her own practice, incorporating this into the course each day, to encourage a creative and open approach to the process and providing you with the tools for looking at the subject with fresh eyes. This daily practice, along with the peaceful setting, good food, wonderful views, swimming in the pool, stunning walks and what will inevitably be great company, will ensure the whole experience is more than just a holiday.
Fly to Bologna from where you will be collected by minibus. Group collection and drop off times will be arranged by email.
You can find more details on how to get here. For the more adventurous, you may want to allow time for a longer visit which could include the nearby cities of Modena, Bologna, Reggio Emilia, Parma and Ferrara, Piacenza and Mantova, read more about the area at https://villalugara.com/about-emilia-romagna/.
Katie Sollohub will be your tutor and facilitator for the week, sharing with you her love of the creative process. Drawing and painting interior spaces is a subject close to her heart, having spent the last few years working as artist in residence at a number of historic homes in Surrey, including JMW Turner’s house in Twickenham. Generous with ideas, innovative and gentle with her approach, she will encourage you to experiment and play, to discover more about the subject through the process.
Our cook Joe is a keen gardener and vegetable enthusiast. This is reflected in his fresh, produce led cooking and passion for sharing food.
Running the villa and supporting the course is host Fiona Geilinger, an artist, short film maker, dancer and garden designer. She studied art by pupillage, with painter Nick Bodimeade and has an MA in Art and Design by Independent Project, University of Brighton.
Helping out with driving and other odd jobs during the course will be Steve (Spike) Geilinger. He is a freelance director, working mainly for the BBC, making documentaries about fine art, architecture, history and food. Most recently he has been making the series ‘Britain’s Lost Masterpieces’ with Bendor Grosvenor for BBC Four.
Reserve your place now by filling out the form below, or email us for more information. We will send you full course information, registration forms and payment details. A non-refundable deposit of £235 per person is required by bank transfer after you complete your booking. The remaining payment of the Villa Lugara fee must be received by 12th March 2021.