Attend a Destination Art Workshop with Andrea Wedell
Join Andrea Wedell for an all-inclusive art retreat in the South of France from September 8 - 14, 2024.
Relax, draw inspiration, and paint while enjoying your stay at an exquisite, 19-acre former Cistercian monastery. This peaceful and restorative setting, with it’s long history of contemplative practices, will set the stage for your inner sanctuary to bloom.
Included in your workshop package is full room and board (includes farm to table meals, wine, coffee and tea), art materials needed, transportation from Marseille airport, guided excursions, and Andrea's personalized art instruction.
The Location
Le Monastère de Ségriès is located 6km from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie; a village ranked as one of the most beautiful in France. Little cobbled streets, quaint shaded squares, small bridges, and waterfalls lend this mountainside village all the picturesque charm for which it is so famous. Founded in the 5th century, Moustiers also owes its reputation to its famous faïence pottery.
The extensive grounds provide a variety of places for you to work in, such as the amphitheater, la terrasse du Pavillon, cloister, garden, several patioed areas and, of course, out on the wild surrounding Provençal garrigue.
What's Included
1 / Full Room and Board
Lodging
$2900 for individual private / single occupancy
$2700 for shared room / double occupancy
Includes
Farm to table meals from locally sourced ingredients.
Wine, coffee and tea are included in the room price.
Transportation from Marseille airport to Monastère du Ségriès.
2 / Five and a Half Days of Personalized Art Instruction
Various technique work, taking inspiration from surroundings.
In-depth demonstrations.
Plenty of one-on-one instruction time.
Learning visual analysis to make your painting stronger.
3 / Art Supplies
All of the art materials you need for your trip are included — Acrylic colors, gloss medium, multiple surfaces to work on (various small sizes so you can transport them easily), brushes., palette knives, collage paper, glue, mark making tools, texture creating mediums
The Program
Andrea will lead morning and afternoon painting sessions, with a break for lunch and time to rest.
Throughout the week, she will guide the group through a series of small paintings on both wood panels and canvas.
We will be exploring all aspects of painting:
Photos from the 2023 trip
Barbara Bourne
“When I learned about the painting retreat that Andrea was offering in the South of France, I jumped at the opportunity to participate. Having studied abstract painting in person with Andrea over the last several years, I knew this would be an amazing growth experience for me and my painting. My BFF, a serious painter who also had worked with Andrea decided the same thing and we began to plan our trip to France seven months in advance. She from the east coast of the US and myself from the west coast. We ended up traveling together.
The location of the monastery is ideal with beautiful, serene grounds to explore and paint in, welcoming hosts and incredible food served from their professional kitchen daily. All 15 of us felt perfectly comfortable and the workflow was seamless. To have five full days to experiment, focus and share our paintings under the support, instruction, inspiration, and organization of a seasoned and generous teacher was deeply fulfilling for me as an artist. We all worked hard and enjoyed each other’s company, learning about each other’s lives from different ages and countries. We became a tight group by the end of the week and made friendships for the future. To paint next to my best friend for the week was a true gift. Andrea supplied us with everything needed to create. Too much fun!
My gentle suggestion if you sign up for this retreat: plan to spend a couple of days in the South of France, prior to day the retreat begins. We chose Aix en Provence and it was an ideal city to over come our jet lag, sit in a café or two and get into the French vibe of things. After the retreat ended, we spent 2 days in Saint Remy and another 2 in Aix. The lovely atmosphere of these two cities allowed us to decompress at the end of an intense work week that truly exceeded all expectations.”
Jane Knaus
Like many artists, I’ve dreamed over the years of traveling to the South of France to paint outdoors, to drink in the breathtaking light of Provence. I wanted to experience the clear, crisp light that informed the paintings of Van Gogh and Gauguin.
Then, fate presented itself in an offer out of the blue.
Andrea Wedell, a very respected and accomplished art teacher and artist, was offering a six-day course in painting at a monastery in Provence. Andrea did an outstanding job preparing for all the amenities at the monastery; she provided opportunities for art instruction, feedback, encouragement, and critiques at the end of each day. We all grew as artists and bonded as friends.
We stayed on top of a mountain in Moustiers-Ste. Marie, and painted outdoors for a number of days—with artists from the US, the UK, and Germany. Fourteen women and the teacher bonded instantly, sharing our lives without reservation, as women tend to do!
We could be our best selves…free of the restrains of daily life, painting six hours a day, mostly standing. My eyes feasted on the orchards and landscapes before me. I kept blinking to see if it was a mirage!
I would recommend this workshop highly to anyone who wants excellent art instruction, as well as visit a magical place that will soothe your soul and lift your spirits!
Arlene Lawrence
The art retreat in France was absolutely wonderful. Beautiful accommodations, exquisite cuisine, and the most stunning views and surroundings you can imagine. Andrea is there to guide both novice and accomplished artists with no pressure. Paint as much or as little as you like while enjoying good company, great food, and a relaxing atmosphere. I highly recommend for a memorable experience.
I would like to be on the waitlist for 2024
The retreat is full for this year, but if you'd like to be placed on the waitlist in case a space becomes free, go ahead and fill out this form.