Art and Culture Holidays.

Thursday 21st June to Saturday 30th June 2012

This popular Holiday is led by David Westby, a professional artist and experienced and enthusiastic teacher who gives time to both group work and individual tuition. He is assisted by Norman Harvey a fine art graduate and former painting tutor at Edinburgh College of Art now residing Puglia. The holiday includes instruction and workshops, with people doing as much or as little painting and drawing as they wish. Workshops are usually in the mornings for about an hour and cover approaches to painting such as choosing a subject, ways of seeing, composition, aspects of abstraction, as well as technical demonstrations such as preparing surfaces, mixed media, acrylic and watercolour techniques. The workshops are adapted to the needs of the group or individual requests. The approach is relaxed and informal and David and his assistant will create an individual programme of artistic activity and learning for each of the guests. Visitors on the Art and Culture Holiday will find new subjects to paint and continue to develop their skills and techniques or maybe try something new or more ambitious.

There are visits to local historic towns. One is a full day out to to Galatina to see one of the most beautifully preserved fresco cycles from the 13th and 14th C. Then to the ancient port of Otranto with its magnificent Cathedral mosaics. After lunch at the Renaissance Villa Monica in Lecce the the rest of the afternoon is spent exploring the fascinating Baroque city centre. As well as exploring the old town of Ostuni we have a visit to the busy weekly market. We travel by minibus to the historical hill town of Cisternino in the Val d’Itria, and then to Alberobello, the famous town of ‘trullis’ (the conical stone buildings unique to Puglia). We will explore this World Heritage site, visiting the museum of trulli and other interesting buildings. Later in the holiday, after a visit to the unique and ancient Archeological site of Santa Maria D’Angano in the hills above Ostuni, we go to the coast for painting and sketching in the seaside village of Santa Sabina then a visit to the Crypt of San Biagio to see the ancient frescoes in the cave-church.
After a self service breakfast the day usually starts at 9.00 with a workshop, demonstration or location visit with individual work until lunch at 1.00. After a siesta, painting and individual direction will continue. Supper is at 8:00 pm.

We have an informal get together at the end of the holiday to share experiences and discoveries followed by a celebratory supper in Ostuni... Non painting partners or friends are very welcome to share the convivial atmosphere, wonderful local food and wine and all excursions. Other activities such cycling or walking amongst the olive groves or swimming, fishing or snorkelling at the seaside are possible and we would be happy to help facilitate any other interests.


Art and Culture Holidays.
The price is £1090 per person based on sharing a room and includes - tuition and studio facilities, exclusive use of pool, gardens, library and tv room at Impisi, full board ( (apart from four lunches and and one evening meal taken in restaurants or cafes), double or twin air conditioned bed rooms. Free excursions. Free transport to and from Brindisi Airport (to coincide with Ryanair's current Arrival and Departures, should their schedule change we will adjust our programme dates and advise accordingly) or Ostuni Rail Station.
Other arrivals and departures may incur additional costs, please ask for details. The prices do not include travel to and from Italy.
We have four double/twin rooms on site at Impisi and two single rooms with shared bathroom and own kitchen/lounge in a pretty villetta adjacent to our property, just at the end of the well lit drive. Rooms at Impisi will allocated on a first come first served basis.
There is up to a maximum of 12 people on our Art Holiday
Single room accomodation is only available in the Villetta. The cost of The Art Holiday in single accommodation is £1250 per person.
£50 reduction for non painting partner.

Click for availability...