Readers' tips ... art holidays
Each week we run a section in the Guardian newspaper's travel section, asking for readers to send in tips on a particular subject. The best tip wins a digital camera courtesy of Jessops. Find out more here.
Winning tip
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Naoshima Art Island, Japan
Posted by SABenyunes
The Japanese island of Naoshima, in the shimmering, subtropical Seto Inland Sea, is an art-lovers' paradise reached by ferry from Uno on the mainland or from the city of Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku. Walk round the Art House Project in the old fishing village of Honmura, where many of the ancient houses have been transformed into fascinating installations. Admirers of world-famous architect Tadao Ando are spoilt for choice with his Contemporary Art Museum and the wonderful, newer Chichu Museum, which boasts a roomful of Monet's water lilies paintings. Then head for the waterfront to watch the sun set behind Yayoi Kusama's iconic Pumpkin. You can stay in contemporary luxury at ultra-stylish Benesse House or else spend a night with the locals in a traditional minshuku. Quite extraordinary and utterly bewitching.
www.naoshima-is.co.jp
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Low Parkamoor Art Farm Retreat, Cumbria, UK
Posted by steeple
Low Parkamoor is a remote Grade II listed farmhouse in the most spectacular location, 200m above Coniston Water in the Lake District. The house is let out by Grizedale Arts for writers, thinkers, artists or artists groups for 'uncurated residencies', a sort of remote artists' retreat. Parkamoor is eco living 1820s style, with no mains services, water from the well, composting toilet, no electricity and all cooking and heating from the 19th century range. To get to the house you must walk up the hill for one mile from the Lake shore, making this house function is an art project in itself. The house is £350 per week including logs.
www.grizedale.org/projects/park.a.moor
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The Pitclay Gallery, North Berwick, Scotland
Posted by EstherC
A fantastic wee gallery with open artists studios, location as unique and beautiful as the work on show. Situated close to Seacliff Beach overlooking the Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle, the gallery specialises in ceramic artworks by David Cohen and Ronnie Fulton. The studios next to the gallery offer creative weekend activities, masterclasses, talks, demonstrations and workshops. A great family run business that also offers holiday accommodation to let. Creative Programme begins Spring 2010.
www.pitclaygallery.com
T:0131 477 9459 M: 07746227410
Halfland Barns Schoolhouse,North Berwick, East Lothian, EH39 5PW
Google map: tinyurl.com/ydsgdlo
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Taller Lenateros, San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
Posted by PatrickArmitage
Enjoy a week immersing yourself in Mexico's most artistic and alluring town. Art, politics and passion are the lifeblood of this wonderful place. In the morning, study silk screen printing with the proud members of the Taller Lenateros cooperative. In the afternoons delight in the town’s incredible art and craft from impromptu street sellers, to modern Mexican art galleries.
www.tallerlenateros.com
email: tallerlenateros@yahoo.com.mx
Calle Flavio A.Paniagua 54,
San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas Mexico
Tel./Fax: ++ (52) (967) 678 51 74
Google map: tinyurl.com/ycoq876
Take a bus to San Cristobal de las Casas from Mexico City or Oaxaca City.
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New York Studio School Drawing Marathon, USA
Posted by hiddenbrooke
A two week intensive in drawing, painting or sculpture led by artists of renown. The Drawing Marathon transformed my studio practice and brought art back to the center of my life. I went deeper and farther in two weeks than I had in years.
New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture
8 West 8th Street
New York, New York 10011
t: 212 673 6466
www.nyss.org
Google map: tinyurl.com/yc9ff6q
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Centro d'Arte Verrocchio, Casole d'Elsa
Posted by scultore
The Centro d’Arte Verrocchio occupies a site on the medieval wall of Casole d’Elsa, a high hill village in Tuscany, a short distance from the cities of Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra and Florence. The views over the valley from the terrace, where all meals are taken, are breathtaking. The Centro is the creation of English sculptor Nigel Konstam, who converted it from a traditional but derelict building to the wonderful place it now is. It offers two-week courses from May to October in painting, taught by visiting artists, and sculpture, taught by Nigel. Accommodation on site is comfortable but not luxurious, and the food is excellent. Painters can work in the studio, in the village or in the surrounding olive groves. Sculptors in an indoor studio or, if carving stone, on a terrace shaded by vines. Tuition is in English, but there are visitors from all over the world. The village of Casole, with its ancient buildings and narrow streets, is thriving, unlike many Italian hill villages. There are bars and restaurants, shops and an ice-cream parlour, street fairs, barbecues, free concerts, free film shows al fresco, and dances. Many people return year after year.
www.verrocchio.co.uk
Tel: +44(0)20 8869 1035
Nearest station Poggibonsi
Nearest airport Pisa (the Centre runs a shuttle bus)
Winning tip
______________________________________________________________
Naoshima Art Island, Japan
Posted by SABenyunes
The Japanese island of Naoshima, in the shimmering, subtropical Seto Inland Sea, is an art-lovers' paradise reached by ferry from Uno on the mainland or from the city of Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku. Walk round the Art House Project in the old fishing village of Honmura, where many of the ancient houses have been transformed into fascinating installations. Admirers of world-famous architect Tadao Ando are spoilt for choice with his Contemporary Art Museum and the wonderful, newer Chichu Museum, which boasts a roomful of Monet's water lilies paintings. Then head for the waterfront to watch the sun set behind Yayoi Kusama's iconic Pumpkin. You can stay in contemporary luxury at ultra-stylish Benesse House or else spend a night with the locals in a traditional minshuku. Quite extraordinary and utterly bewitching.
www.naoshima-is.co.jp
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Low Parkamoor Art Farm Retreat, Cumbria, UK
Posted by steeple
Low Parkamoor is a remote Grade II listed farmhouse in the most spectacular location, 200m above Coniston Water in the Lake District. The house is let out by Grizedale Arts for writers, thinkers, artists or artists groups for 'uncurated residencies', a sort of remote artists' retreat. Parkamoor is eco living 1820s style, with no mains services, water from the well, composting toilet, no electricity and all cooking and heating from the 19th century range. To get to the house you must walk up the hill for one mile from the Lake shore, making this house function is an art project in itself. The house is £350 per week including logs.
www.grizedale.org/projects/park.a.moor
______________________________________________________________
The Pitclay Gallery, North Berwick, Scotland
Posted by EstherC
A fantastic wee gallery with open artists studios, location as unique and beautiful as the work on show. Situated close to Seacliff Beach overlooking the Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle, the gallery specialises in ceramic artworks by David Cohen and Ronnie Fulton. The studios next to the gallery offer creative weekend activities, masterclasses, talks, demonstrations and workshops. A great family run business that also offers holiday accommodation to let. Creative Programme begins Spring 2010.
www.pitclaygallery.com
T:0131 477 9459 M: 07746227410
Halfland Barns Schoolhouse,North Berwick, East Lothian, EH39 5PW
Google map: tinyurl.com/ydsgdlo
______________________________________________________________
Taller Lenateros, San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
Posted by PatrickArmitage
Enjoy a week immersing yourself in Mexico's most artistic and alluring town. Art, politics and passion are the lifeblood of this wonderful place. In the morning, study silk screen printing with the proud members of the Taller Lenateros cooperative. In the afternoons delight in the town’s incredible art and craft from impromptu street sellers, to modern Mexican art galleries.
www.tallerlenateros.com
email: tallerlenateros@yahoo.com.mx
Calle Flavio A.Paniagua 54,
San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas Mexico
Tel./Fax: ++ (52) (967) 678 51 74
Google map: tinyurl.com/ycoq876
Take a bus to San Cristobal de las Casas from Mexico City or Oaxaca City.
______________________________________________________________
New York Studio School Drawing Marathon, USA
Posted by hiddenbrooke
A two week intensive in drawing, painting or sculpture led by artists of renown. The Drawing Marathon transformed my studio practice and brought art back to the center of my life. I went deeper and farther in two weeks than I had in years.
New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture
8 West 8th Street
New York, New York 10011
t: 212 673 6466
www.nyss.org
Google map: tinyurl.com/yc9ff6q
______________________________________________________________
Centro d'Arte Verrocchio, Casole d'Elsa
Posted by scultore
The Centro d’Arte Verrocchio occupies a site on the medieval wall of Casole d’Elsa, a high hill village in Tuscany, a short distance from the cities of Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra and Florence. The views over the valley from the terrace, where all meals are taken, are breathtaking. The Centro is the creation of English sculptor Nigel Konstam, who converted it from a traditional but derelict building to the wonderful place it now is. It offers two-week courses from May to October in painting, taught by visiting artists, and sculpture, taught by Nigel. Accommodation on site is comfortable but not luxurious, and the food is excellent. Painters can work in the studio, in the village or in the surrounding olive groves. Sculptors in an indoor studio or, if carving stone, on a terrace shaded by vines. Tuition is in English, but there are visitors from all over the world. The village of Casole, with its ancient buildings and narrow streets, is thriving, unlike many Italian hill villages. There are bars and restaurants, shops and an ice-cream parlour, street fairs, barbecues, free concerts, free film shows al fresco, and dances. Many people return year after year.
www.verrocchio.co.uk
Tel: +44(0)20 8869 1035
Nearest station Poggibonsi
Nearest airport Pisa (the Centre runs a shuttle bus)