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Plein Air Painting at the
Château de St. Julien l’Ars
Two independent, ten day sessions:
Wednesday August 24 to Friday, September 2, 2005
Tuesday, September 6 to Thursday, September 15, 2005
Monet, Sisley, Pissaro…
Corot, Renoir, Manet…
Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse…
These artists found inspiration in the French countryside, and sought solace outside the city to escape their hectic and often competitive lives in Paris.
You are invited to join us as we travel to rural France for 10 days of painting “en plein air,” with inspiration provided by the lovely Poitou landscape, and gentle instruction by noted painter and teacher Nana Bagdavadze. Although you will travel just 90 minutes outside Paris, you will be immersed in the France of another era, with ample time to reflect, relax, and find your muse.
An Idyllic Setting for Inspiration
During your ten-day stay in west-central France you will live amidst the peace and serenity of the centuries-old Château de St. Julien l’Ars, an historic castle nestled within a 56-acre landscaped and walled estate. Graced with mature sequoias, giant oaks, and a beautiful double allee of plane trees, the Château sits among gardens, fields, and wooded walking trails, well off the beaten path near the city of Poitiers, about 90 minutes from Paris by train. The sleepy country village of St. Julien L’Ars lies just beyond the Château gate, and its merchants supply the Château with the daily necessities: fresh baked baguettes, pastries, and the local news.
The Workshops
Taking advantage of this romantic setting, each 10-day workshop consists of two ongoing projects per day: a morning and an afternoon session. You may work on your own individual painting, or take part in group projects. Your instructor will provide one-on-one instruction tailored to your abilities and preferences, as well as help you choose your subjects.
In case of rain there are spacious studios available within the Château, and students and instructor will compose a “nature morte” (still life) together.
At the end of the day students and teacher may gather to discuss the day’s painting, view the work in progress, or plan the next day’s subjects. One-on-One instruction from Nana Bagdavadze
An accomplished painter, Nana Bagdavadze, a native of Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, has been teaching in the U.S. for over 17 years. Nana was granted permanent U.S. residency in the category of “Outstanding Artist of Extraordinary Abilities,” and became a US citizen in 1999. She currently resides in Seattle, Washington.
Among her accomplishments, Nana was invited to show her work at the 2003 Biennale in Florence, Italy, where she represented the United States. Her remarkable works are also on display in private collections and public domains in Europe and the United States, and her paintings can be seen at
nana-bagdavadze.com. Notes from past workshop participants
Nana’s instruction is tailored to each artist, stressing creativity and individuality while imparting the classic techniques of the grand masters.
“Nana's workshop was superbly conducted. The beauty [of the setting] was like a fairy tale. Nana's teaching gently encouraged us to do our finest work. The food was extravagant and delicious, and our hosts were gracious and kind. In Paris Nana's tour of the Louvre opened our eyes in new ways to the magnificent work there. All-in-all, a memorable trip!”
—Julie Gottman, Seattle Washington
“It was a wonderful get-away from the pressures of everyday life. I had all the time I wanted to paint, and just as much time to relax and read, or just go for a walk in the woods. The host and hostess provided the most delicious meals and accommodations you can imagine. And with several days in Paris, to visit the world famous Louvre and Musee d'Orsay with a talented professional artist as our guide. What else could an artist ask for?”
—Sharon Iuzzolino, Seattle Washington
Modern Amenities in a Medieval Setting
The Château de St. Julien l’Ars offers the romance of an historic castle with the comfortable informality and spirit of a home. The Château’s beautifully updated rooms and suites all feature private baths and comfortable beds. Several guest rooms feature marble fireplaces, sitting rooms, and turrets. The public rooms and salons provide cozy spaces to curl up with a favorite book or hold a grand candlelight dinner.
Cuisine at the Château is rustic French-style, prepared with produce from the Château garden and fresh local ingredients. Meals often feature regional specialties, and are served informally both indoors and on the terrace. The Poitou Region
The area beyond the village of St. Julien l’Ars invites walking, bicycling and leisurely car touring with endless winding back roads, charming villages, and Châteaux. The nearby towns of Chauvigny, St. Savin, Angles sur l’Anglin, and Poitiers host luscious produce markets, regular outdoor flea markets and antique sales. The area rewards exploration with unexpected opportunities for sightseeing, shopping and dining in the small towns and villages of this lovely agricultural region.
This area of France is called the Poitou, a culturally rich but largely undiscovered region that abounds in history, good food and clean air. The ancient city of Poitiers, with its citadel of winding medieval streets, is its capital, most famous for its roman-esque churches, especially Notre Dame la Grande; its university where Joan of Arc was once interrogated; and its nougat, one of France’s confectionary delicacies.
Beyond the Poitou, but still within an hour’s drive, are the towns and Châteaux of the Loire Valley to the north. The varied beaches and islands of the Atlantic coastline lie a little further to the west. From the Country to the City: Paris Museum Tour
In addition to attending one of the two 10-day sessions at the Château, workshop participants may join Nana in a guided tour of selected collections at the Louvre Museum and the Musee’ d’Orsay, in Paris. The Museum Tour is offered as either a post or pre-workshop trip, on September 4th (Louvre) and 5th (d’Orsay).
You may join the tour on either day, or both. The Museum Tour is not included in the cost of your 10-day workshop; you will be responsible for your own accommodations, meals, museum fees, and transportation. A 5-star experience for less than the price of a 3-star hotel
The cost of each workshop includes:
- 3 delicious French-style meals per day (continental breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a before-dinner aperitif) all prepared with the freshest local ingredients
- lodging with private bath, based on double occupancy
- transportation to and from the train station in the city of Poitiers
- One-on-One instruction and guidance plus group discussions and critiques
All transactions are completed in the U.S. before your trip, saving you the Dollar/Euro exchange rate.
You are responsible for your own travel arrangements to Poitiers and to Paris. In order to coordinate attendee’s travel schedules, we will contact you after we receive your deposit.
Workshop Fees
10-day Workshop: $250. per day, per person — Total: $2,500.
$200. per day, per child ages 13 to 18 — Total: $2000.
$150. per day, per person for accommodations and meals ONLY; no participation in painting workshop or Museum Tour — Total: $1,500.
Ensure your participation
Workshop space is limited so it’s best to reserve your place early. A deposit of $1000. is due April 15, 2005. Full payment is due July 1, 2005.
Registration
To register, print out the registration form below, fill it out completely and mail it, along with your check, to:
Nana Bagdavadze
1201 Summit Avenue, Suite 1
Seattle, Washington 98101
Printable Registration Form
Once your deposit is received, you will receive confirmation by mail, along with additional information regarding travel schedules. Cancellation Policy
Refunds minus $200 will be made for cancellations received before May 1st, 2005. After May 1, 2005 deposits become non-refundable.
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For further information and reservations, contact:
Nana Bagdavadze
1201 Summit Avenue, Suite 1
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 682-0546
[email protected]
nana-bagdavadze.com
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