JOIN JOAN in Tuscany

“When we travel, we leave behind our ordinary routine, and we wake up our awareness with curiosity about a different place. We pay deeper attention. We are astonished. And as we experience the warmth and charm of life in an Italian hill town, we will tell about it in paint.” ~ Joan Fullerton

On this special retreat in Tuscany, you will discover the essence of unique self-expression using expressive abstract techniques and learn to relinquish expectations so you can open new possibilities. This retreat will immerse you into a place of soul refreshment, invigorate your curiosity, stimulate your ability to let go and laugh, and enhance your ability to express your inner and outer worlds with paint.

All levels of experience are welcome!

Joan Fullerton is an acclaimed international Artist Educator devoted to uplifting others. She is an expert creativity coach who inspires uninhibited humor, the ability to trust your impulses, and encourages childlike play. A non-judgmental approach to art-making expands her students’ confidence, enabling genuine, expressive paintings. Joan’s fine art career of 50+ years has produced hundreds of poetic paintings that hang in museums and private collections worldwide.

Fullerton used her MFA painting degree to become an award-winning college art instructor. After 13 years of gaining valuable teaching experience in the classroom, she lived, painted, and exhibited art full-time in Taos, NM. Looking to expand her reach, she evolved her unique teaching methods to a workshop format and moved to the Denver, CO, area. As her reputation grew, she widened her reach beyond the studio. Fullerton now inspires audiences internationally.

Joan Fullerton has been featured in several television interviews, painting blogs, magazine articles, and books. In 2018, she produced an online art experience, “Paint Yourself Free”.

Instagram: @joanfullertonart
FaceBook: Joan Fullerton Art

BE INSPIRED BY JOAN as You Learn To …

• be receptive to an inspiring adventure in a beautiful location
• make soul-satisfying art
• be bold in your vulnerability
• learn new techniques for expression
• practice trusting your intuitive knowing
• create a meaningful ritual for your imagination
• utilize contrasts for visual interest
• collage local ephemera into your composition
• design visual elements into a dynamic abstract composition
• impose hints of representation into an abstract composition
• complete your paintings with titles, a signature, varnishing, and framing
• describe your art with descriptive language to understand and learn from your art

2025 ITINERARY

Day 1, Tuesday, September 23: 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 San Casciano dei Bagni. After check-in you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the historic center of the village with your host, Alessandro, followed by a workshop overview with Joan. Afterwards it’s time to enjoy a welcome aperitivo, followed by a delectable Tuscan-style dinner in Daniela’s restaurant – situated in the town’s picturesque main piazza.

Day 2, Wednesday, September 24: San Casciano, Castello Fighine 

• Highlights: Instruction with Joan, excursion to the village of Castello Fighine
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, it’s off to the studio, nestled in the historic center of San Casciano, for a morning session with Joan in the art studio space. Lunch today will be served up at Daniela’s restaurant, followed by free time to explore, relax or continue working in the studio. 

This afternoon our drivers will transport you to the nearby hamlet of Castello Fighine where you’ll enjoy a private, guided tour of the tiny village with our friends Cesare and Grazia, including a visit to the centuries-old “wash house” and a peek inside the 15th century church. Then it’s off to Grazia’s ceramics studio where you’ll get a chance to paint your own ceramic with medieval symbols as your inspiration. Afterwards your hosts will treat you to a friendly aperitivo and light dinner right here in the castle village.

Day 3, Thursday, September 25: San Casciano

• Highlights: Instruction with Joan, archeological site and museum
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll once again join Joan in the roomy art studio, followed by an informal lunch served up right here. 

Afterwards you’ll have free time to rest and recharge before joining our friend and archeologist, Ludovico, for a special private tour that includes a visit to the town’s archeological museum and a walk to the newly discovered, and jaw-dropping, Roman and Etruscan Sanctuary. This active archeological dig is nothing less than astounding! This evening you’ll once again enjoy aperitivo and dinner at Daniela’s.

Day 4, Friday, September 26: Città della Pieve

• Highlights: Instruction with Joan shopping, pizza night
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll once again join Joan in the studio for instruction, followed by lunch served up at Daniela’s restaurant. 

This afternoon our drivers will transport you to the nearby town of Città della Pieve, where you’ll enjoy a guided “Renaissance” walking tour, including a visit inside the cathedral where you’ll discover masterpieces by 15th century Renaissance artist Piero Vannucci “Il Perugino”. Afterwards you’ll have some free time to sketch on location, or to shop the boutique and artisan shops, before gathering together for a delicious pizza dinner at our friends’ wood-fired pizzeria.

Day 5, Saturday, September 27: San Casciano, Fonteverde Spa 

• Highlights: Thermal spa, instruction with Joan, celebration
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’re in for a treat as our drivers transport you to Fonteverde Thermal Spa where you’ll enjoy a luxurious morning of soaking in the hot, mineral rich pools. You might even book an additional wellness treatment on your own. Lunch will be taken on your own at the Spa’s cafe, before heading back to the hotel for some free time. 

This afternoon it’s back to the studio with Joan for a final, wrap-up session. This evening you’ll gather together with your fellow students for a celebratory aperitivo, followed by a chef-prepared farewell dinner at Daniela’s.

Day 6, Sunday, September 28: Departure 

Early morning transport to Rome Fiumicino Airport

VENUE Boutique Hotel Sette Querce  

Surrounded by stately, ancient oak trees, family-owned Sette Querce, with its chic decor, combines traditional Tuscan architectural design with light, bright colors. Spacious rooms boast private entrances, ensuite bathrooms, kitchenettes and sitting areas. Breakfast is served here at the hotel, while lunches and dinners are served a short walk away at Daniela’s elegant restaurant, situated at the base of the town’s imposing castle. Here you’ll also find the charming, main piazza that overlooks the stunning Tuscan countryside, dominated by Mount Amiata and the fortress of Radicofani. 

VIEW the Photo Gallery

WHAT’S INCLUDED

•  5 nights stay at Boutique Hotel Sette Querce, San Casciano dei Bagni, Tuscany
• 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
• All dinners featuring regional specialties and accompanied by local wines
• Pizza night!
• Private tour of archeological site
• Excursion to hamlet of Castello Fighine
• Excursion to Città della Pieve
• Visit to Fonteverde Thermal Spa
• SUPPLIES: Many materials are included, however, students are required to bring a few items. CLICK HERE to download the supply list! 

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. ☺️

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.

DATES & TRIP PRICE

• Dates:
  • September 23-28, 2025
• Trip Price:
  • $3,970 USD per person, single occupancy
  • $3,570 USD per person, double/twin occupancy
• Room Description:
  • Each room is its own spacious suite with Tuscan-style appointments, complete with full bathroom, kitchenette, sitting area and private entrance
• Arrival/departure airport is Rome Fiumicino
• View our terms and cancellation policy here

OPENING SOON