Bring the color and rhythm of Italian maiolica to life—on paper, not ceramic. Guided by artist Jeanette Platania-Harper (Italian maiolica-style painting and Sicilian henna art), this immersive week in Vallo di Nera, Umbria (May 11–18, 2026) translates classic motifs—birds and mythical beasts—into easu brush techniques, pattern building, and layered color work on archival paper. You’ll learn how to sketch, ink, and paint maiolica-inspired designs with clear, step-by-step demos and individualized feedback.
Our home base is Casa Della Zia, with a small-group studio rhythm, village walks, and culture-rich excursions (including a look at Deruta’s living ceramic tradition for inspiration). Expect relaxed mornings in the studio, delicious Umbrian meals, and time to refine your pieces. You’ll leave with a portfolio of finished works, a materials list to keep going at home, and a deeper understanding of how to adapt historic ceramic aesthetics to fine-art painting on paper.
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Jeanette Platania-Harper (Aunt Jet)
Proprietor of Aunt Jet's in Delhi, NY
Jeanette Platania-Harper (“Aunt Jet”) is a Delhi, NY artist and devoted Italophile whose Sicilian roots and love of Italian ceramics inspire her vibrant maiolica-style painting on paper. In this Italian workshop, she’ll translate classic motifs—and help participants build confident pattern, color, and brushwork without needing a ceramics or painting background.
Aunt Jet’s is Jeanette’s cheerful studio-boutique in downtown Delhi (68½ Main Street)—an enchanted emporium & apothecary offering original art, Italian/Sicilian-inspired pattern work, henna, crystals, incense, handcrafted jewelry, and more. The shop hosts in-person classes and community events (Witchcraft Class, Beginner’s Runes, pop-up readings) and welcomes walk-ins for psychic/readings and henna on regular shop days—blending Catskills charm with Italophile flair and a little “wicked good magick.”
TERESA BONNER
Travel Sketching in Umbria
June 8th - 15th, 2026
Join artist and instructor Teresa Bonner for a week of travel sketching in the heart of Umbria. Based out of the medieval hill town of Vallo di Nera, this immersive workshop blends art, food, and the unfiltered rhythms of Italian village life. Each day brings a new subject and a new light — from the Roman arches and Renaissance facades of Spoleto to the river reflections of Scheggino, the quiet intimacy of the village cemetery, and the golden walls of Spello glowing at dusk.
We’ll visit frescoed churches, stroll medieval lanes, and enjoy moments of daily life —locals chatting over espresso, bread rising in outdoor ovens, and linen fluttering in stone archways—all opportunities for sketching. One afternoon, the scene is an outdoor 200-year-old stone oven where Giacomo and Anastasia bake their traditional Umbrian focaccia; another day, you’ll draw among the cheeses and artisans of the Fior di Cacio festival right in Vallo. The week culminates in a feast and sketching session at La Lecceta, a horse farm overlooking the Umbrian hills, where long tables, homemade wine, and laughter replace any need for Wi-Fi.
Casa Della Zia is your home base — a lovingly restored stone house at the top of a steep lane, where the espresso is strong, the walking is vertical, and the Wi-Fi is politely unreliable. It’s not a tour; it’s a week of seeing like an artist, sketching what can’t be photographed, slowing down, and maybe — just maybe — calling it “work.”
Statement from Teresa Bonner
Travel Sketching: Collections of Memories
Urban scenes, landscapes, random objects, people, musicians, food – there’s no limit to what can be drawn with a quick sketch. Not ever perfect, not always realistic, travel sketching allows me to capture these moments. A sketch is personal and provides a memory. My small pocket-sized sketchbooks become collections of memories.
In this workshop, you’ll be introduced to a few techniques and styles through brief demonstrations and examples. You’ll receive guidance and support throughout the week to develop technical skills and tap into your own creative voice. Maybe you’ve often thought about sketching while traveling but didn’t know where to start. This is the workshop for you. While the approach is geared to beginners, all are welcome. (In other words, if you already sketch and are looking to travel and draw in beautiful Italy – join us!)
Join us for relaxing excursions where we learn how to capture memories on the go.
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CANDACE RUDD
Sky & Stone
Small-Group Yoga Retreat
Sept 14–21, 2026
Join Candace Rudd for Sky & Stone, a restorative week of yoga and slow travel in the medieval hill village of Vallo di Nera. Each morning begins with mindful movement and deep breathwork, followed by unhurried days exploring the Umbrian countryside, sharing local meals, and reconnecting with simple rhythms of life. Evenings wind down with gentle practice and conversation over wine and candlelight. Guests stay at Casa Della Zia, a 12th-century stone home in the Valnerina, surrounded by olive groves and quiet walking paths. With day trips to nearby towns like Spoleto and Trevi, artisan encounters, and long table dinners, this intimate retreat invites you to move, rest, and truly belong in the heart of Italy.
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2025 Workshops
LISA WUJNOVICH
Writer’s Retreat in Umbria, Italy
Writing, Food, Culture & Cobblestones - A Week of Inspired Writing
September 1st to September 8th, 2025
Lisa Wujnovich:
Lisa Wujnovich writes poetry and farms at Mountain Dell Farm in Hancock, NY. She holds an MFA in Poetry from Dew University, and is a frequent workshop leader at Hobart Women Writers Festival and a Bright Hill Poet.
Her poems can be found in numerous anthologies, including Ghost Fishing, an ecojustice poetry anthology. Her work can also be read in Collateral, Calyx, NOW, The Wide Shore, 5A.M., Naugatuck River Review, High Canary, among others.Her anti-fracking poems were published and performed at the forefront of the anti-fracking movement in New York. She has two chapbooks, Fieldwork, and This Place Called Us, as well as other collaborative chapbooks. She co-edited with Brandi Katherine Herrera, the anthology, The Lake Rises, poems to and for our bodies of water. In 2024, her poem I Know How to be Helpful, was made into a Z’roah Press, letterpress limited edition book by Roni Gross and Peter Schell, as well as into a short film.
Lisa was a pioneer in the “farm to table” movement, growing vegetables and herbs for diverse New York City and Catskill restaurants. She has four years of herbal certifications from Susun Weed, Matthew Woods, and Hart Brent. She tends, and teaches through many herbal, flower and food gardens.For further information contact lwujnovich@tds.net or @mountaindell at Instagram
Join poet, herbalist, and farmer Lisa Wujnovich for a soul-nourishing week of creative writing, delicious Umbrian cuisine, and immersive cultural exploration. Each morning, gather at Casa Della Zia in the medieval village of Vallo di Nera for generative writing sessions inspired by place, nature, and the senses.
Afternoons are for discovering the heart of Umbria with your host, Jessica Vecchione, as you wander ancient towns, meet local artisans, and share unforgettable meals—think focaccia fresh from a 200-year-old oven, mountain hikes, and a farm feast in the hills.
Whether you're an emerging writer or seasoned creative, this retreat offers space, inspiration, and connection in one of Italy’s most breathtaking regions.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE!
CANDACE RUDD
Twisted Sister Yoga Retreat
September 15th to September 21st
Candace Rudd brings her Catskills-based Twisted Sister Yoga to Casa della Zia for a much-needed retreat focused on unwinding, rejuvenating, and female bonding.
Trip highlights include rooftop yoga sessions overlooking the rolling hills of Umbria and guided visits to breathtaking Umbrian landmarks such as Assisi, Spoleto, and Norcia. These historic and inspiring locations provide the perfect backdrop for relaxation and connection, making this retreat a truly unforgettable experience.
LORI & KATIE ROSA
Threads of the Past:
An Artistic Journey in Umbria
September 30th to October 7th
Embark on a creative journey through the heart of Umbria with a Quilting Workshop at Casa Della Zia, set in the charming medieval town of Vallo di Nera, from September 30th to October 7th, 2025. Under the expert guidance of master quilters Lori and Katie Rosa of Bloom in Margaretville, NY, this retreat is an invitation to find inspiration in the timeless beauty of Umbria’s landscapes. As you explore the region’s ancient villages, olive groves, and breathtaking views, you’ll gather photos, sketches, and ideas to breathe life into your own quilts. Lori and Katie will help you weave your visions into stunning creations, with a special showing of the work at Bloom after the retreat. Come, immerse yourself in Italy’s rich culture, and discover the artistry that awaits within you.
JEANETTE PLATANIA - HARPER
Italian & Sicilian Maiolica-Style
Painting Workshop -2025
May 5th to May 12th
Italy is renowned for its ceramics, with designs recognized worldwide. In this class, you'll create bright, whimsical paintings inspired by Italian and Sicilian designs, including those from Deruta. Using a simple technique, you'll learn to create bold acrylic works on paper, suitable for painters of any skill level.
Participants will leave with several completed pieces.
About the artist: Jeanette Platania-Harper is a natural artist whose work reflects her Sicilian-American heritage. Her maiolica-style paintings and modern henna designs are influenced by Sicily’s rich folk art traditions. Based in the Catskill Mountains, Jeanette owns Aunt Jet’s at 68½ Main Street, Delhi, NY.
LARS ELLING LUNDE
A Focus on Umbria
Travel Photography On the Go
Spring 2027
Explore the breathtaking landscapes, art, architecture, and people of Umbria while honing your visual storytelling skills with acclaimed photographer Lars Elling Lunde. This hands-on, intermediate-level workshop focuses on understanding light, composition, and cultural sensitivity to elevate your craft. Through guided lessons and field practice, you'll capture the vibrant colors and textures of Umbria’s culture while refining techniques such as working with light, composing impactful shots, and mastering camera settings in a fully manual mode.
Each day combines morning discussions on techniques and goals with immersive fieldwork in diverse environments, rain or shine. Evening sessions provide opportunities to review your progress and gain personalized feedback, all in a relaxed, social setting. Essential equipment includes a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a suitable lens, and a love of documenting the world. With over 37 years of experience, Lars brings a wealth of expertise and a spirit of adventure to make this workshop both educational and unforgettable.
2023-24 Retreats
Lisbeth Firmin's
One Week Urban Landscape Painting Class
September 4th - 11th, 2024
Renowned artist Lisbeth Firmin's daily painting classes are enriched by cultural tours and visits to historical sites, offering a perfect blend of creativity and exploration. Highlights include excursions to the iconic town of Assisi, the culinary delights of Norcia, and the vibrant history of Spoleto. With ample time for personal exploration and relaxation, this immersive experience captures the essence of Umbria’s charm.
Candace Rudd's
Twisted Sister Yoga Retreat
March 31st - April 6th, 2023
Candace Rudd brought her Catskills-based Twisted Sister Yoga to Casa della Zia for a much-needed retreat focused on unwinding, rejuvenating, and female bonding.
Trip highlights included rooftop yoga overlooking the rolling hills of Umbria and artistic expression using natural objects.
Where will your imagination take you...
Customize your trip to suit your needs and desires.
