2012 Cortona Experience Trip Sept. 10-20

You Can Go Back!

Click here to view the complete “Cortona Experience” 2012 Brochure

Capture the essence of Cortona again in a 10 day watercolor painting (other media welcome) and/or photography workshop for all levels. Enjoy great cuisine, wine, demos, day trips; interact with the UGA Studies Abroad students, faculty, and the Cortonese. A unique camaraderie is woven, making lifelong connections with fellow participants and Cortona! For information on the September trip and to reserve your spot contact Suzi Wong, Lamar Dodd School of Art at swong@uga.edu or (706) 542-9867.

Following are highlights and photos from the 2011 Cortona Experience :

A private behind-the-scenes tour of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena. The oldest bank in the world has its headquarters in Siena in an ancient building, filled with an incredible collection of priceless documents and paintings. Due to some “Cortona Experience” connections, the group was allowed a rare tour, which culminated on the Bank’s rooftop, with stunning 360-degree views of beautiful Siena. The travel journalists were sketching feverishly while our photographers snapped away!
An afternoon hands-on cooking class by a master chocolatier. Participants made chocolate eggs, tiramisu, and biscotti in the kitchen of Cocoa, a wonderful pastry shop hidden on one of Cortona’s picturesque streets.
A morning spent perusing the treasures offered at the monthly antique market in Arezzo after learning about the beautiful frescos in the medieval Basilica of San Francesco. The group enjoyed the expertise of the UGA Art History Professor, and then hunted for hidden treasures throughout Arezzo’s ancient streets. The market offered a plethora of opportunities for the participants to record their experiences by camera, sketchbook, and journal.

And of course there was plentiful and amazing Italian food at every turn. We’ll offer glimpses of some of these meals in another article in this website and future ones– just to make you hungry!