Morocco - Marrakech

15 - 24 September, 2010

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life" Picasso.

About Art Retreats International

Art Retreats International is the inspired creation of Ruth Rich – artist, teacher, guide and entrepreneur – who has been successfully promoting professional art & workshops in Australia for over ten years.

Ruth’s passion for travel and her desire to assist others expand their creative horizons has culminated in her ultimate dream – leading painting, writing and photography retreats to the world’s most beautiful and unique locations.

These ‘creative adventures’ bring together master artists, skilled travel guides and local experts for a unique and memorable experience that will inspire you to create at new levels – for years to come…

Morocco 2010

Just a short flight from Europe, Morocco is a world away in culture and appearance. At the northwest corner of Africa, hemmed in by the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Sahara desert, it has a rich and various landscape. Marrakech has a history as exotic as any city in the world, beginning as a trading post on a caravan route from the Sahara, and becoming one of Morocco’s imperial cities. It was once a key French garrison and is now developing into one of the world’s liveliest playgrounds. This mix of north African and Saharan colours, of Arab, Berber and European culture, of a light tempered by both mountain and plain, has given the city a unique and complex character which has inspired artists and writers from around the world, from the 1920s French Orientalist Jacques Majorelle to Winston Churchill and Esther Freud.

Marrakech is a perfect destination for artists and writers.

Tim Maguire and Anthony Sattin bring a unique combination of skill and experience to this retreat. Both Tim’s approach towards landscape and nature, and Anthony’s understanding of Moroccan culture and history, provide fantastic stimuli.

The aim of this retreat is to furnish novel stimuli through excursions in and around Marrakech where participants can collect visual material using sketchbooks, quick watercolour studies, drawing and photography. Anthony Sattin will lead the group on visits to sites of cultural interest such as the Marrakesh souk, spice markets, a Berber village, and other sites of architectural significance. A trip into the High Atlas Mountains and to some Marrakech gardens will offer opportunities for landscape and nature studies. This material will be brought back to the riad for analysis and development during afternoon workshop sessions. Attention will be paid to techniques of colour notation, choices of materials for sketching and principles of composition.
Participants can then select some of this imagery to work up throughout the week with a view to having one or more finished paintings by week’s end.

SUITE: $6,250 - PRIVATE: $5,480 - SHARE: $4,680

Airfares, art materials are not included in the advertised price.
Prices subject to change according to currency fluctuation.

Tuscany with Elisabeth Cummings

Ruth will be leading a group to Italy with renowned artist Elisabeth Cummings. Tempted to do both retreats: Morocco & Italy? They are only one week apart! We’d love you to join us for this unique experience.

"When a small group of people come together in a beautiful, stimulating environment with a common purpose, a positive group dynamic builds and intensifies over time. A whole new experience occurs where participants learn from the teaching artist, the place itself, and from each other, as friendships grow."

After years of teaching, Elisabeth still enjoys getting into the student's world, sharing her sensibility with them and delighting in their developmental leaps.

Elisabeth encourages artists to come ready for the adventure and beauty of Tuscany, knowing the experience will continue to feed their practice long after the retreat is over.