CREATING Vintage 3D Collages . . . 

Surrounded by the deep history and beauty of Italy, you’ll learn to use materials in a new and meaningful way as you bring your most cherished memories into the present. On this extraordinary 3D collage journey with Berri you’ll learn to combine personal imagery of a loved one, or that of a beloved memory, with a multitude of personal elements and vintage materials. Plus you’ll learn to incorporate Italy’s ancient methods into your own meaningful works.

ABOUT Berri Kramer

Berri Kramer grew up in Lincoln, Massachusetts and spent as many hours as she could in the studios at DeCordova Museum. She earned a BFA in Design and Crafts from Kent State University and a Masters in Fiber from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA. Berri was the founder and President of Heartwood College of Art which thrived in Maine for 25 years.

In her annual Italy workshop, Berri shares her extensive experience, knowledge and unique approach to collage with a small group of students – and in an intimate and idyllic setting.

” My work reflects the blocks of color and patterns that surround all of us everyday. I am fascinated by the tools and tracks that are unintentionally left behind. …a fiber remnant, a letter or a feather. The exercise in choosing from endless imagery and palettes, and editing it to distill the message, has become my practice in every medium. Often the scale of these snippets is exaggerated or reduced to take the viewer away from the ‘assumed’. The simplest forms can often tell the greatest story.”

DEFINING YOUR LEGACY…

• Create multiple 3D collage projects that honor your most cherished memories
• Incorporate amazing, ancient techniques into your 3D collage
• Use a gel plate to create a variety of papers with textures and impressions that add dimension to your artwork
• Use everyday materials to distress and alter papers
• Recognize the importance of scale and value within a given perimeter
• Learn how Italian masters used gold leaf centuries ago, and how it can be used today in your artwork
• Combine different papers, such as, rice, mulberry, tissue, teabag etc., to create varied textures, layers and translucency
• Learn to use stencils, graphite and gold leaf to add depth and richness
• Adhere materials to a variety of 3D substrates (4” wood blocks, vintage tins, anitque book covers and more.)
• Discover what you love in the process of creating personal imagery by approaching innovative studio work with new possibilities

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Sunday, April 6: Arrival

• Welcome and trip orientation with Berri
• Aperitivo, dinner

Benvenuti in Italia! Upon 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 brief walking tour in the historic center of the village with trip facilitator, Pamela Haack, followed by a workshop overview with Berri.  Then it’s time to gather together for a friendly aperitivo, followed by a delicious, regional-style dinner prepared by Chef Vito.

Day 2 – Monday, April 7: Studio, Saffron

• Highlights: Studio with Berri, visit to saffron shop
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after an elegant, buffet-style breakfast, you’ll join Berri for a full morning session as you explore papers in a special, ephemera packet, and learn to set up and make gel prints with different textures and variation of palettes, on rice paper, tissue paper, copy paper, dictionary pages, book pages and more. Then it’s off to our friend, Alessandro’s, saffron shop for a light lunch and saffron tasting.

This afternoon you’ll continue working on your 3D projects in the studio. In the evening we’re off to a cozy trattoria for a delicious dinner featuring fresh catch from the mediterranean sea.

Day 3 – Tuesday, April 8: Fighine, Majolica

• Highlights: Excursion to Fighine, majolica classì
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, it’s off by private transport to the medieval hamlet of Fighine where you’ll enjoy a private walking tour with our friends, Grazia and Cesare. After a peek inside the charming church and the old wash house, you’ll join Grazia in her ceramics studio where you’ll learn the centuries-old technique of transferring designs to ceramics, that are then painted and fired. Grazia will take you through the entire process, step by step, as you create your own ceramic tile with a colorful Renaissance design. After the lesson, it’s off for a light lunch with your delightful hosts. Your ceramic will remain here for a bit, to be fired in Grazia’s onsite kiln, where it will transform into a glossy majolica ceramic that’s yours to keep.

This afternoon you’ll enjoy a full session with Berri back in the studio, followed by a light dinner served in the hotel’s charming garden.

Day 4 – Wednesday, April 9: Studio, Cooking Experience  

• Highlights: Studio with Berri, cooking experience
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, it’s off to the studio with Berri as you continue working on our various 3D collage projects. Lunch today is on your own, and can be taken at any one of the village’s cafes or bars.

Afterwards it’s back to the studio with Berri to work on your projects, as you learn a multitude of ways to incorporate found materials, ephemera and photos. In late afternoon we head to our friend, Cristian’s, charming bistrot for an oh-so-fun cooking experience! Cristian will also share some amazing insights and little-known facts about Italian cooking – and baking. Plus you’ll enjoy a tour of his private, underground wine cantina. Dinner follows, featuring locally grown specialties.

Day 5 – Thursday, April 10: Studio, Pizza Night

• Highlights: Studio with Berri, visit + lesson inside cathedral
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner (pizza)

This morning, after breakfast, we visit several of the many churches of Città della Pieve as you explore recipes for surfaces that have been used for centuries. From gold leaf to extraordinary faux marble, you’ll discovery ancient art techniques that Berri will teach you how to incorporate into your own artwork. Afterwards it’s off to the studio for an inspiring morning session that includes working with multiple materials and techniques. Lunch today will be served up at our friends’ inviting cafe.

In the afternoon you’ll continue working on your projects with Berri. This evening it’s off to a private home for a friendly aperitivo followed by pizza night at our friends’ wood-fired pizzeria

Day 6 – Friday, April 11: Studio

• Highlights: Studio with Berri, final critique
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning you’ll once again head to the studio with Berri for a final morning session that includes bringing your projects to completion. Lunch today is on your own, followed by continued time in the studio into the afternoon.

In late afternoon you’ll wrap up your projects in the studio before joining Berri for a final critique, followed by a celebratory dinner our friends’ rustic trattoria where you’ll enjoy local specialties cooked alle brace (over coals).

Day 7, Friday April 12: Departure

Early morning transport to Rome Fiumicino Airport.

ACCOMMODATIONS ~ 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 Photo Gallery

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• 6 night stay at Boutique Hotel Vannucci in Città della Pieve
• Private ground transportation to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport on arrival and departure days
• All abundant breakfasts
• 3 Lunches
• All Dinners, featuring local wines
• Daily demonstrations and instruction with Berri Kramer
• Multitude of ephemera materials including vintage tins, antique buttons, stamps and keys
• Excursion to Fighine
• Majolica lesson with local artist
• Pizza night
• Cooking experience Free time for exploring and shopping on your own

Not included: Airfare, meals, alcoholic drinks, buses, trains or boat transportation outside of that which is specifically listed in the trip package, gratuities for hotel staff and drivers

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. ☺️

What Berri’s Students are Saying…

🌻 Shatters any expectation anyone could have for an art workshop… An experience of a lifetime doesn’t begin to capture the magic that happened in Berri Kramer’s art workshop embedded in the insightful hands of Strada Toscana. This union is further enhanced in attending to needs and interest of the inexperienced to the seasoned artist, from the inexperienced to the seasoned traveler. We all left feeling not just attended to with patience and encouragement but truly pampered in the fairy tale setting of Citta della Pieve. ~ Patti W.

🌻 Immersive, joyful, lively, reflective, renewing, and adventure-filled. These are just some of the words I’d use to describe Berri Kramer’s Legacy College Workshop offered through Strada Toscana in the lovely village of Citta della Pieva, Italy. We were treated to unique and impeccably-curated experiences throughout our stay….I can’t say enough about Berri Kramer, who is an inspiring and compassionate teacher, and who sees an artist in each person she meets, and Pamela Haack of Strada Toscana who dots every “i” and crosses every “t” to ensure that workshop participants are treated to a true boutique travel experience. I’m going back next year! ~ Becky J.

🌻 Berri Kramer’s legacy workshop in Italy came at the perfect time in my life. My mother had just recently passed away and when I saw the workshop offering it seemed a wonderful opportunity to honor my mother, her support of my artistic journey and a chance to heal from the challenges that come from such an important transition in life. Berri created a unique workshop experience [that] is the perfect combination of art, culture, history and exploration. We were treated to incredible local food, lodging in a charming upscale hotel in the picturesque village of Citta delle Pieve, and a fun group to spent time exchanging stories and making art in a great studio location. It was an experience I will treasure for years to come. ~ Suzan S.

🌻 The most carefully planned art workshop I could have hoped for… It’s impossible to summarize the effect of bringing our own photos, stories, and memories, then learning the myriad techniques to turn them into cherished art to share with our families. Berri’s guiding hand was there whenever needed… To say the effect was transformative somehow seems insufficient. ~ Margaret D.

🌻 Amazing trip and workshop! Fun, informative, organized, inspiring, interesting, filling (food – yes!), creative, artistically active and instructive – all in a magnificently beautiful setting! Best time ever! Thank you! ~Kathy

🌻 This art experience was all inclusive – and it was the glue that put this “life collage” together. A once in a lifetime journey of outstanding organization and balance of activities. Every moment was a treasure. Thank you SO MUCH for this life experience!  ~ Marcia

🌻 Berri Kramer’s collage workshop in Italy turned into a life-affirming foray into color, shape, texture, design, play and confidence. Could not have ever dreamed of the many life-enriching, immersive experiences within the already exciting experience that I signed up for. Joyous moments bubbled throughout our art workshop – no moment that didn’t dance with learning…. and filling all the senses. Recommending to all! ~ Patti

🌻 The collage workshop was helpful, educational and fun! This experience gave me new insight. Berri is so generous and talented, she has an enormous capacity for sharing on many levels. I certainly would recommend traveling and doing art with Berri.  ~ Lee

🌻 Just the best week of laughter and learning and meeting a new tribe of artistic souls. Every experience was lovely and so well planned. I have learned so much more than I could have expected – not only about the visual language of collage, but also about the history of our beautiful Italian village – I am coming back soon! ~ Bebra

🌻 This experience has been beyond inspirational. Berri and Susan pushed me out of my comfort zones and helped me re-establish healthier boundaries for me to consider, and to bring home to my studio. This has been a life changing experience. The only bad part is that not other tour will match what I’ve just witnessed! ~ Tim

🌻 This workshop was so wonderful, and I learned a lot! It was by far the most fun and interesting trip I’ve  taken in a long time (and I’ve been on a number of trips!). Everything was exceptional. What an experience – I plan to tell everyone! ~ Karen

Italy Legacy Collage Workshop with Berri Kramer

TRIP DETAILS:

• Dates: April 6-12, 2025
• EARLY BIRD SPECIAL TRIP PRICE good through July 1st, 2024. After July 1st the trip price will increase by $200 USD.
• Trip Price: $3,745 – $4,245 USD per person (select 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)
• A $700 deposit is required to book your space on this trip
• Remaining trip balance payment automatically charged to the credit card on file, 120 days prior to the trip start date
• Terms and Conditions

BOOK NOW