Wine, Chocolate and Mosaics
with Laurel True and Valerie Nicoladze
Provence, France
August 31- September 6, 2014
Cost: $2700
Immerse yourself in this specifically curated trip and tour that will inspire your senses, taste buds and your creativity. Enjoy the late summer light and earthy pigments of Provence, farm to table food, wine tasting, exploration of local markets and exhibits, and time to create at Esprit Mosaique Studio in the heart of the wine-growing regions of southern France.
French wine and chocolate are the perfect accompaniments to creative exploration, and this trip is a creative and gustatory journey into the heart of Provence. Spend a week with like-minded seekers interested in insider-track travel and experiencing the hidden gems of the region, guided by locals showing you their home.
This retreat combines world class wineries and purveyors of fine chocolates, medieval villages, Provencal markets and private gardens with art. We’ll spend relaxing mornings or afternoons in the studio with espresso or wine, and all things chocolate. Each participant will work according to their experience level.
All materials will be provided, as well as one-on-one guidance from bilingual teaching artists with a combined 35 years experience, Laurel and Valerie. Students will enjoy a guided exploration of materials and color through the creation of small mosaic projects to take home. No experience with art or mosaics is required for this workshop!
This is a wonderful opportunity spend time in community with others passionate about experiential travel and creative expression. Participants will leave Provence feeling like family, having shared food, wine, stories and community creation. We’ve intentionally included plenty of time for socializing, celebration and time to enjoy the moment.
The tour will include the spectacular medieval architecture of Gigondas in the Dauphine Region, the breathtaking views at the ancient aqueducts of Pont du Gard, and the Provincial market of Uzez and to Carrieres des Ocres, where we’ll immerse ourselves in the breathtaking earth pigments of these former ocher quarries and shop for natural pigments to use in the studio during a lesson specially focused on the use of earth pigments and mosaic. Also included are visits to world-famous Chateauneuf de Pape and Tavel Wineries for special educational wine tastings and a special private tasting. We’ll end our time together with a final afternoon meal eating local, Provencal food in the middle of a vineyard.
Details:
Cost: $2700
Location: Esprit Mosaique, Villeneuve de Avignon, Provence
Includes:
Mosaic workshop instruction
Accommodations for 8 nights (based on double occupancy, we can help coordinate)
Breakfast and lunches
Tuesday night family BBQ
Thursday night couscous dinner
Transportation from train station or Avignon airport and to and from workshop
All touristic visits to markets and exhibits
All wine tastings
Cost Does Not Include:
Flight, dinners (except Tuesday and Thursday) and personal expenses.
To Register: Please e-mail Valerie Nicoladze at espritmosaique@free.fr. For more information, contact Valerie or email Laurel.
Group Leaders:
Valerie’s 40 years living and creating in Provence give her a unique insider view that she is offering exclusively to participants of this first-time offered tour. She has created a welcoming and colorful studio, Esprit Mosaique
Studio, where participants will spend time exploring color, texture and the inspirations of Provence.
Laurel (on left) is a world traveler, teacher and professional mosaic artist with 25 years experience, who brings her unique style of exploring the world through art and culture to participants. She is co-founder of the Institute of
Mosaic Art in California, Principle at True Mosaics Studio and Founding Director of The Global Mosaic Project.
Itinerary:
Sunday, August 31
Participants arrive and get settled in Hotel de Atelier
Studio Orientation and Intros at Esprit Mosaique Studio.
Evening: Free (get over your jet lag and gear up for a great week ahead!)
Monday, September 1
Morning: Mosaic Session at Esprit Mosaique Studio
Lunch at Restaurant La Strada
Afternoon: Studio Instruction and Work Time; Evening: Welcome Dinner in Avignon
Tuesday, September 2
Morning: Carrieres des Ocres: Color Study of Natural Pigments in the Landscape
Lunch at Roussillion Restaurant
Afternoon: Visit Village for Natural Pigments at Local Market; Evening: Free
Wednesday, September 3
Morning: Mosaic Session, Lesson in Use of Natural Pigments with Mosaic
Lunch at Restaurant La Strada
Afternoon: Atelier Wine and Chocolate Tasting; Evening: Wine tasting at Taval Winery
Thursday, September 4
Morning: Wine Tasting Tour, Visit to Chateauneuf du Pape
Lunch at Cave Chateauneuf du Pape
Afternoon: Visit to Gigondas Beaumes de Venise; Evening: Free
Friday, September 5
Morning: Visit to Uzes and UNESCO World Heritage Site Pont du Gard
Lunch at Restaurant Pont du Gard
Afternoon: Last Studio Session and Wrap Up; Evening: Wine and Cheese Garden Party at Valerie’s
Saturday, September 6
Morning: Visit to Village de Provence for Last Minute Shopping
Lunch: To conclude our week together we will enjoy an incredible late lunch in the middle of a
vineyard, enjoying the outdoors and each other with champagne, chocolate, French cheese,
charcuterie and more. Goodbyes and departure!
Mosaic Art Retreats 
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