JOIN ANASTASIA in Italy…

for an extraordinary print-making workshop that combines Anastasia’s expert instruction, an abundance of Italian food-related inspiration and in-depth cultural experiences – all set in a charming medieval hill town. Italy’s rich history of stamp-carving and print-making is the ideal setting for this all-inclusive workshop that includes daily lessons with print artist Anastasia Inciardi, along with cultural experiences, private excursions and delectable meals. From Gaetano’s history of print-making to Vesario’s abundant produce stand to Cristian’s delightful pasta making lesson, you’ll enjoy a multitude of interactions with locals and a fabulous variety of food-related inspiration as you learn to carve (and print!) your own multi-layer linocut.

ABOUT Anastasia Inciardi

Anastasia (Ana) Inciardi is a relief printmaker based out of Portland, Maine. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and went on to study Art and Art History at Kenyon College. During college Ana discovered her love of carving linocuts. She began with mostly images of objects and buildings but then, increasingly more often, she was inspired by food. Growing up Italian American, food has always been central to her family; entire weeks were planned around meals and every outing or activity involved some sort of culinary reward. Carving linocuts of food connects her to her family and the experience of bonding with others over a good meal.

ABOUT Addison Wagner

Addison Wagner is an organic farmer and artist living and working in Portland, Maine. In addition to her reverence for good, nourishing food, she comes with a background in a number of 2D visual mediums including drawing, collage and printmaking. Addison will be joining Anastasia as an assistant instructor to provide additional support as you work towards creating your own unique culinary-themed prints. She’ll be available during studio time to answer questions regarding composition, carving technique and color-mixing.

IN THIS EXTRAORDINARY WORKSHOP You’ll Learn How to 

• Gather inspiration and source material using Italian food magazines, cookbooks, art books and food photography as well as local meats, cheeses and produce gathered from the farmers’ market
• Consider line quality, cropping and positive and negative space to create a strong composition
• Sketch or trace and transfer image onto a linoleum block
• Select and use different hand-carving tools to bring your subject to life
• Mix colors using oil-based printmaking ink
• Use rubber brayers to apply ink to your carved linoleum block
• Print using various methods including Ana’s small-etching press, printmaking barons and spoons; so you can use your print-making skills back at home with or without access to a printing press
• Create a single colored print using one piece of linoleum
• Create a multi-layer linocut piece
• Layer and apply ink to multiple pieces of linoleum to create multi-colored prints
• Print multiple editions (each will turn out a little differently) to exchange with other members of the course and take home as gifts and mementos!
• Celebrate each other’s work with an art show and print swap on the final day of class

ITINERARY

Day 1, Monday, September 30: Arrival

• Highlights: Arrival, welcome, workshop overview
• Dinner

Upon your arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, our private drivers will transport you to the Italian countryside, and your boutique hotel accommodations in the unspoiled village of Città della Pieve. After check-in you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the historic center of the village with trip facilitator, Pamela Haack, followed by a workshop overview with Ana and Addison. Afterwards it’s time to enjoy a welcome aperitivo, followed by a delectable Tuscan-style dinner.

Day 2, Tuesday, October 1: Studio, Cantina Murogrosso 

• Highlights: history of stamping in Italy, visit to winery
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, you’ll enjoy a fascinating visit inside the town’s stunning duomo (cathedral) where you’ll view of masterpieces by Renaissance artist, Perugino, before heading to the studio to meet up with local print-maker and artist Gaetano, who will share with you the history of paper and stamp-making in Italy. Afterwards you’ll practice carving a single-color linocut, with Ana and Addison, as well as learn about handling printing tools. For this session you might use imagery of food from magazines, or even sketch from your imagination. Plus you’ll learn how to print by hand with a spoon and with Ana’s etching press. 

Lunch today will be enjoyed at our friends’ nearby cafe, followed by some free time. Then we’re off by private van to the countryside and a local winery where you’ll take a tour of the sweeping vineyards, followed by a private wine tasting and dinner in the cantina’s panoramic tasting room. (You might even take some grapes back with you for a linocut!)

Day 3, Wednesday, October 2: Farmers Market and Studio

• Highlights: Farmers’ market
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning after breakfast, we’ll stop at Valerio’s fruit and vegetable stand for his Wednesday morning produce offerings so you can choose your inspiration for 2-3 color print! October boasts a fabulous variety of foods from local farmers, including, grapes, pears, figs, aglione (a type of local garlic), peppers, the last of the season’s tomatoes … and so much more! Then it’s off to the studio for a morning session with Ana and Addison as you begin to sketch and design different colors/layers for your 2-3 color print, and start carving your 1st layer. 

After lunch at a nearby cafe, you’ll have some free time, followed by a continued session in the studio with Ana and Addison. This evening brings an optional aperitivo before heading to our friends’ inviting trattoria for a traditional dinner cooked alle brace (over coals). 

Day 4, Thursday, October 3: Studio, Pasta Making

• Highlights: Studio, pasta making lesson
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, it’s off to the studio with Ana and Addison for a full-morning session where you’ll being carving the 2nd layer in your lino-cut, as well as starting some test prints. Lunch today is on your own at one of the nearby cafes, or perhaps you’d prefer to grab a panino for a working lunch in the studio. 

This afternoon you’re in for a treat, as we head to our friend, Cristian’s, bistro for a delightful pasta-making lesson where you’ll learn about the history of farm-to-table foods in Italy, as well as different pastas and sauces. Fascinating! After a peek inside Cristian’s private cantina, you’ll enjoy dinner, featuring your hand-made pasta, of course.

Day 5, Friday, October 4: Studio, Farewell Celebration

• Highlights: Final printing, aperitivo in private home
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner

This morning, after breakfast, it’s off to the studio for a full morning session where you’ll work on completing your project and printing your final pieces. Lunch today, at our friends’ cafe, is mixed pizza slices served up family style, followed by your choice of gelato.  

After some free time to rest and relax, it’s back to the studio where you’ll enjoy a celebration of prints, as well as an oh-so-fun print swap. Afterwards you’ll take one last walk through the avenues of the village, including a stroll through Italy’s narrowest street, as we head to a private location for a special aperitivo, followed by a farewell dinner prepared by Chef Vito.

Day 6, Saturday, October 5: Departure 

Early morning transport to Rome Fiumicino Airport

VENUE Boutique Hotel Vannucci

Hotel Vannucci began as a project of Vittoria Spinola, daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele II, who fled Pisa (and an arranged marriage with her elderly husband) to start a new life with her lover in Città della Pieve. Here, she and her soon-to-be new husband, Paolo, built two villas that became luxurious holiday accommodations for wealthy Romans vacationing in the countryside. In 1903 one of the villas became Hotel Vannucci, and today it maintains the elegance and refinement of its inception, with luxurious sleeping rooms, marble bathrooms and inviting gardens. A stay here is truly special, nestled just outside the medieval walls of the historic, and unspoiled, village of Città della Pieve. 

VIEW the Photo Gallery

WHAT’S INCLUDED

•  5 nights stay at Boutique Hotel Vannucci, Città della Pieve
• Group transportation to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport on arrival and departure days
• Private transportation service to/from all towns and sites included in the itinerary
• All breakfasts
• 3 lunches
• 5 dinners featuring regional specialties and accompanied by local wines
• Winery tour and tasting
• Pasta-making lesson
• Visit to local famers’ market
• Village walking tours
• Carving tools (to keep and take home with you)
• Use of small etching press and printmaking brayers
• Supplies! Including: unmounted linoleum, Rives BFK white paper, Cranfield oil-based blocking printing ink, transfer paper, pencils, erasers, sharpies, scissors, various forms of inspirational ephemera
• BONUS!! One-on-one zoom session after the workshop to help with printing at home, art feedback, and printing tips!
• BONUS!! Each student will receive a print from each student from the class at the end!
• BONUS!! Each student will receive multiple prints of Ana’s.

Not included: Airfare or transportation, outside of that listed in the trip itinerary, alcoholic drinks or meals ordered “on your own”, gratuities for drivers and hotel staff

The Unexpected is Part of the Journey: Sometimes unexpected things come up. If there is unscheduled closing or schedule change, we carefully pivot to include something that is equally as wonderful and interesting, so that the quality of your experience is never at risk. ☺️

DATES & PRICES

• Dates:
  • September 30 – October 5, 2024 – SOLD OUT!
• Trip Price: $3,495 USD – $4,095 USD per person (choose room type upon booking)
• Room Descriptions:
  • Single: Single occupancy, single bed, private ensuite bathroom
  • Classic: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
  • Superior: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with tub/shower combination
  • Deluxe: Double occupancy, double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom with tub and shower (specifically for couples or friends traveling together)
• $700 deposit (partially refundable for 30 days) is required to secure your space on this workshop
• Arrival/departure airport is Rome Fiumicino
• View our terms and cancellation policy here

SOLD OUT