9 Days Summer Workshop 2007
at wonderful Casabella, Tuscany, Italy
Frequently Asked Questions
“How do I get to Casabella?”
We will pick everyone one up from Florence train station at 17.00 on Sunday 27 May / Saturday 15 September (depending on which course you are booked on!) If you can’t make that pick up then you are free to get a taxi and make your way to us at your own convenience. Last year a few participants arrived a few days early in or to relax and settle in. Please contact Valentina at Casabella if you wish to do this:agriturismo@fattorialavacchio.com
“What is the nearest airport to Casabella?”
Florence is about 18 km far from Casabella and the Lavacchio farm. The airport "Amerigo Vespucci" in
Florence is near the exit of highway A1 Florence North, it is about 28 km
far from Lavacchio farm.
Siena is about 85 km far from Lavacchio farm; it takes about 80 minutes by
car if you do not find traffic. You can reach Siena by train, but you have
to go to Florence train station (Santa Maria Novella) and get a train to
Siena ( train takes about 90 minutes)
Bologna is about 130 km far from Lavacchio farm, it takes about 90 minutes
by car if you do not find traffic. You can reach Bologna by train, but you
have to go to Florence train station (Santa Maria Novella) and get a train
to Bologna ( train takes about 1 hour).
Venice is about 290 km far from Lavacchio farm; it takes about 3 hours by
car if you do not find traffic in the motorway. You can reach Venice by
train, but you have to go to Florence train station (Santa Maria Novella)
and get a train to Venice ( train takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes )
Rome is about 280 km far from Lavacchio farm, it takes about 3 hours by
car if you do not find traffic in the highway. You can reach Roma by train,
but you have to go to Florence train station (Santa Maria Novella) and get a
train to Rome ( train takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes).
“Does the fee include meals as well as the lodging and mosaic workshop?
Yes it does – everything is included. Casabella is such a fabulous venue – under normal circumstances I wouldn’t be able to use it –we have to go out of season hence the dates – which are the closest I can get before and after the season starts – when Casabella is usually full.
“What is the food like?”
Casabella subscribes to the Italian ‘slow food’ concept. The food is the best that I have ever had – anywhere! Casabella is an organic farm that aims to be pretty much self sufficient. They have their own vines making their own prize winning read and white wines – these are Chianti Ruffina wines and are excellent. Many people stay specifically for the wines and Casabella is on the famous Chianti wine trail. There is a mill that grinds the flour for the breads. They make their own extra virgin olive oil from the olive oil from the olive groves – this is made in the traditional method. They even have their own butcher and charcuterie chef! It really is that good – dinner consists of four courses each night, including their fabulous wines.
“What is the accommodation like?”
The rooms are all en suite. You stay in the main building which is very old in the Tuscan style. Please click on this link to see a detailed description of the rooms.
“What can I do in the afternoons?”
Most afternoons there are programmed events, such as tours of the wine cellars with wine tasting, mill tours with Olive oil tasting, tour of the ceramic studio. We also have a special day planned to the Niki de St Phalle Tarot Garden. All of these tours are optional and are included in the price.
There is a swimming pool where you can swim, relax and read.
You can also rent a bike in order to discover the flora and the fauna in the surroundings.
You can go horse riding – there is an additional cost for horse riding as the stables are not owned Casabella.
Or if you prefer you can continue to work on your mosaics (untutored).
About The Mosaic Course Itself:
This course aims to… provide an opportunity for those who have previously made some mosaics and therefore have some experience in mosaic making or enthusiastic beginners to mosaic. It aims to expand on those existing skills and develop your personal style and creativity. The course will instruct further in direct and indirect mosaic techniques, using a variety of materials including glass and ceramic tesserae. Grouting techniques will also be covered.
It is for… Those with some experience of making mosaics
During the course… You will design and make a large mosaic approx A2 or 2 x mosaics approx A4 in area. Martin will cover numerous techniques to help you understand further about mosaic design.
By the end of the course… a combination of lectures on Roman techniques, demonstrations and individual help will ensure that students will go home fully inspired and equipped to go and tackle larger projects such as patios, tables and murals.
After the course… Many previous participants have gone on to become professional mosaicists whilst others have taken it on as a serious hobby.
The tutor…Martin Cheek has written five best selling books on mosaics. He has been making mosaics professionally for 25 years. Martin graduated in graphic design from Exeter College of Art & Design in 1981. Having made award winning films as a student, he subsequently worked on several puppet animation projects including ‘The Wind in the Willows@ ‘Paddington Bear’ ‘Noddy in Toyland’ and ‘Portland Bill’. He then set up his own production company Cheeky Films Ltd. For many years Martin wads a part time lecturer at the Royal College of Art. He is a former art critic for the Daily Express and now works full time as a professional mosaic artist. Martin is regularly commissioned by both private and corporate clients as well as by museums. His work also appears in leading National magazines and newspapers as well as on television. His weekend courses in the UK and abroad continue to be popular with students from all over the world keen to learn the art of making mosaic. Over 1200 people have now attended Martin’s courses.
You can view Martin’s work by visiting his website: http://www.martincheekmosaics.com
“Are Mosaic materials included?”
Martin will provide you with 1.5 kg of Orsoni Venetian smalti (mixed colours) & 1.5 kg of Orsoni Roti (mixed colours). For many people this proved to be sufficient. However there will be a stock of both these materials in a wide range of colours plus various gold leaf smalti and millefiori. Please note that Martin does NOT provide vitreous glass – as this would be too much for him to ship – if you intend to use vitreous glass please bring your own with you – or contact Martin who will help you arrange this.
“What should I bring with me?”
It would be really useful if you could bring with you two or ideally three design ideas for your mosaic. Try to make your ideas different from each other, so that we will be able to discuss the various mosaic possibilities, which your designs will suggest to me. Your designs should be between a square foot: 12 x 12 inches (30 x 30 cm), in area up to a maximum of A3: 12 x 16 inches (30 x 40 cm) - if you want to finish your mosaic during the course.
Keep you designs simple and bold – remember that the tesserae average 1cm x 1 cm in size so don’t make your design too fiddly! A quick glance at any of my books will show you what I mean, but please don’t copy my mosaics – you could do that at home!
If you don’t have time to prepare any designs before the course, then try and bring some sort of pictorial reference with you. This could be anything from a book to a greetings card that you like or even a piece of wrapping paper or packaging that may have caught your eye.
Work clothes – you may accidentally get glue on your clothes. An apron is a god idea.Mosaic tools – please bring your wheel nippers or side biters with you if you have them, if not please order a pair in advance from Martin:
martin@martincheekmosaics.com
Tweezers are very useful as are dental tools for poking and prodding.
Martin will provide some but if you don’t want to share please bring your own.
A notebook and a sketchpad.
A pair of your own glasses or sunglasses will mean that you won’t have to suffer my uncomfortable safety goggles.
A camera is always a useful thing to bring.
Martin likes to bring binoculars but they are not essential – so bring some if you already have a pair but don’t buy any especially for this trip.I look forward to seeing you.
Please don’t hesitate to call Martin on Tel: +44 (0)1843 861958 Mobile: 0794 988 4620 or Email: martin@martincheekmosaics.com
If you have any other queries.
Warmest wishes Martin
Flint House, 21 Harbour Street, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1ET, UK.
Phone: +44 (0)1843 861958
Mobile: +44 (0)7949 884620
martin@martincheekmosaics.com
