October 2024 (5 days and 4 nights)
From 23 (Wednesday) until 27 (Sunday) October 2024
From Michelangelo and Monet to Degas and Dali, learn how to appreciate, analyse, and discuss great art with confidence in this immersive 4-day creative getaway with art expert, author, and YouTube sensation James Payne, founder of “Great Art Explained”. Sip Portuguese speciality wine under the relaxing sun as you uncover the secrets of artworks like Starry Night, Mona Lisa, and The Scream. Discover what makes truly great art, and how that art was created, and why. These soulful and innovative series of dynamic art lessons (all accompanied by stunning imagery and video footage curated by Payne) is for anyone who has always wanted to learn more about art and is ready for a journey of masterpieces through the centuries with a passionate and engaging instructor. In a spectacular historical setting.
James Payne is an artist, gallerist, multilingual cultural tour guide, art instructor, lecturer, author and content creator. With an MFA (Masters of Fine Art) from Central St. Martin’s in London, James has spent his entire adult life passionately immersed in the art world. He has curated many shows, most recently (2023) Margaret Harrison at Cross Lane Projects, as well as writing for art publications including Garageland and Arty, as a columnist for The Huffington Post and a reviewer for Artlyst. His onetime gallery PayneShurvell in Shoreditch, London, showcased the works of many internationally renowned artists. James spent over two decades leading tour groups throughout Europe to introduce them to some of the world’s greatest art. When the pandemic shut down any further travel, he started a YouTube channel, “Great Art Explained in 15 Minutes”. An online channel that to date boasts 1.5 million subscribers, in which he expertly explains one specific works of art each episode, in simple, concise and jargon-free language, with extensive research and unique footage. A spin-off, Great Books Explained in 15 Minutes, has already brought critical acclaim and a growing audience to the brand. To coincide with this Getaway, James’ book “Great Art Explained” will be published by venerable art book publisher Thames & Hudson.
October 2024 (5 days and 4 nights) From 23rd (Wednesday) until 27th (Sunday) October 2024
Shared Room:
2.000€ PP (+vat 23%, only 6 rooms available) = 2.460€
Single Room:
2.100€ PP (+vat 23%) = total 2.583€
Paid 2 times:
Reservations:
1st Payment:
1230€ (shared room)
1292€ (single room)
2º payment until 15 June 2024:
2nd Payment:
1230€ (shared room)
1292€ (single room)
3 full days of Art Immersion with James Payne
Visit to Tile Museum- Estremoz
3 Dinners at local restaurants
3 Lunches
4 Nights Accommodation (with breakfast included)
Wine and Olive tasting Events
Visit to Évora
Transport from Lisbon Airport to the Hotel (2 hours) and transport in the area.
NOTE: A pottery lesson is available on request.
WEDNESDAY, 23 October
The bus will pick the participants at Lisbon airport around 1pm.
On the way to our destination Monsaraz, we will stop at Évora: World Heritage Site (1 hour bus drive). We will explore the cathedral and walk for one hour in town.
We will leave Évora around 5pm and will arrive at the hotel Vila Planície, Monsaraz, around 6.30 pm, where we will be served a light dinner.
THURSDAY, 24 October
After breakfast at the hotel, you will take the incredibly scenic 15 minute walk to “Sofia in Monsaraz”with our teacher.
After the welcome session by your host and a group introduction, we’ll begin the first class. Today we will be introduced to movements of art from Renaissance to Modern times, and how specific works of art fit into those movements. How do we apply the same way of seeing, the same depth of analysis to an abstract work, as we do to a medieval work? Are the lives of the artists important? Is background history important when studying art?
After lunch in the garden, we will have our second lesson. In the afternoon we will savour a wine tasting by a local sommelier, that will introduce us to Alentejo’s wine.
Dinner is not included.
FRIDAY, 25 October
After breakfast at the hotel, you will take the 15 minute walk to “Sofia in Monsaraz”. Today is all about the study of technique (with workshop demonstrations). How did the discovery of perspective change art? How does perspective work? What is Chiaroscuro? Sfumato? How is egg tempura made? How does science affect colour? How are frescoes made?
After our third class and before lunch we will pick some olives and do an olive oil tasting session. Lunch will be served in the garden, with local produce and vegetables, we will have the fourth class until 5 pm. Then is time for dinner at a local restaurant, in the castle.
SATURDAY, 26 October
The day starts at 9 am with a trip (by Bus) to Estremoz, where we will be visiting the antiques market (also farmers market) and the Tile Museum. Today is about research – how we approach a work of art, and where we begin. Are the lives of the artists important? Is background history important when studying art? Lunch will be a picnic on the way back to the hotel, where we will share our impressions from the morning visit. We will take the principles we have learned so far and take 2 new artworks and apply our new way of thinking.
Rest of the afternoon is free and dinner will be served in a local restaurant, next to the hotel, where we will share the best experiences of this art getaway.
This day is all about you and the art you like. We will take the principles we have learned so far and take new artworks and apply our new way of thinking. Your teacher will share highlights of the making of Great Art Explained with the class to inspire your ongoing art journey.
SUNDAY, 27 October
After breakfast at 9 am you return to Lisbon, and estimated arrival time is 12.30h. On the way to Lisbon the bus stop in a local pottery shop, for 45 minutes.
You’ll depart from these 5 full days in Monsaraz with a new appreciation for art in general. You will live these experiences in great Portuguese hospitality.
Everything is organised to detail so that nothing will prevent you from enjoying all the peace and quiet of the Alentejo.
All the rooms have air conditioning, full and private bathroom, shared or private balcony and outdoor access.
This 4 star accommodation is in 15-minute walk from the workshop venue (SIM) and passes by the Bulhoa menhir (National Monument) and the Alentejo plain, ideal for reflection before starting work.
October 2024 (5 days and 4 nights) From 23rd (Wednesday) until 127th (Sunday) October 2024
Shared Room:
2.000€ PP (+vat 23%, only 6 rooms available) = 2.460€
Single Room:
2.100€ PP (+vat 23%) = total 2.583€
Paid 2 times:
Reservations:
1st Payment:
1230€ (shared room)
1292€ (single room)
2º payment until 15 June 2024:
2nd Payment:
1230€ (shared room)
1292€ (single room)
– Deposit due to Secure your place in the event: 1230€/ 1292€
– It is advisable to book the plane after the final confirmation that the retreat will happen, by the end May 2024.
If you would like to make a direct booking: info@sofiainmonsaraz.site
Internacional roundtrip airfare, alcoholic drinks, boat trip, activities not included in the itinery, hotel incidentals including room service, materials list, expenses during free time, laundry service and hotel bar, food and beverages not included in the itinerary. COVID-19 test, if applicable.
We require all participantes to have a personal travel insurance that at minimum covers medical emergencies and cancellations. We do not provide travel insurance for the retreat and each participant is required to have their own individual travel insurance. The place, where the retreat happens, has an Insurance that covers accidents. Will not be responsible for refunding any lost trip funds if you have to miss your scheduled trip.
We cannot guarantee to accommodate vegan, gluten free or dairy/egg free, and some allergies. We are unable to accommodate participants with severe food allergies or food intolerances. Please contact us in advance of registering if you have any dietary questions.
It will start when arriving at the hotel, Wednesday and finish when you leave the hotel, by Sunday. We are not responsible for any non-retreat activity that a participant decides to purchase outside of the retreat and such activity will not form part of the participant’s contract with us. The bus transport is insurance secure.
This retreat includes one walking tour, where the ground may be uneven and you may be on your feet for several of hours at a time and should be comfortable walking 1km.
Regarding the cancelation we will return the payment (minus 50€) if you cancel before June.
If you cancel between 15 June and 20 September, you will receive a refund of your payment minus 100 euros. If you cancel in the run-up to the retreat (30 days before) we will refund 80% of the total amount paid.
Your payments will be split in two, with an initial deposit to secure your place on the retreat.
Once you have completed your enrolment, an invoice will be sent to you to complete payment of the deposit. Payment can be made by bank transfer or PayPal in euros. Additional charges may apply in cases where special accommodation is made available to participants.
Your payments will be split in two, with an initial deposit to secure your place on the retreat.
After you have completed your registration you will be sent an Invoice to complete your deposit payment. Payment can be made by Banktransfer or PayPal in euros. Additional costs may apply where special accommodations are made available to participants.
In this event we will accept until 15 people. The event does not include spouses, partners or friends if they are not taking the workshop.
If we cannot gather the minumum participants of 10 until the end of May 2024 the event will be cancel and the payments refund to the participants.
Other questions about this retreat please contact: info@sofiainmonsaraz.site
For more info or questions please consult here our Terms & Conditions.
Rua do Chafariz, nº 6 Aldeia do Outeiro
7200-179 Reguengos de Monsaraz
(+351) 266 557 091
Sofia in Monsaraz Ⓒ 2023 – All rights reserved | Identity design by Jorge Silva | Video created by Janz Anton-Iago | Photos by Ana Paula Carvalho
We will contact you with the details for payment.
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