The Umbrian Context: Interior and Exterior Light and Spaces

with Mark Dunford & Kay Vinson - June 13-20, 2025

The Umbrian Context: Interior and Exterior Light and Spaces

with Mark Dunford & Kay Vinson - June 13-20, 2025

Dates: June 13-20, 2025
Instructors: Mark Dunford and Kay Vinson
Venue: Castello di Petroia, Gubbio, Umbria, Italy
Media: Oil, acrylic, gouache, watercolor or pastel
Level: All levels welcome

Join award-winning painters and experienced instructors Mark Dunford and Kay Vinson for their first observational painting and drawing workshop at the Castello di Petroia, a location of breathtaking beauty in the hills of Umbria.

Working from direct observation and referencing the nearby wealth of architectural structures and the incredible beauty of Umbrian light, participants will be guided in drawing and painting the endless atmospheric qualities of interior and exterior spaces. With the rich heritage of early renaissance Italian painting for inspiration, along with the Castello’s unparalleled painting opportunities, Mark and Kay will share their processes for using light and space in their own work. Combine this with five-star accommodations, superb food and wine, and excellent company, this workshop will inspire and inform for years to come.

“Doorways, windows, indistinct reflections, branches, layering inside and outside. These things are beautiful, not for what they are but for their web of shapes and the mystery they take on.” – Kay Vinson

“My primary concern is looking. I draw to comprehend the amazing interaction of forms, surfaces, spaces and shapes. I am driven by how beautiful something is and I attempt to balance observation, invention and imagination.” – Mark Dunford

About the Instructor
Accommodations
Itinerary
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About the Instructors

About the Instructors

Mark Dunford studied painting at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, where he was taught by the artists Euan Uglow and Patrick George. He paints from direct observation and is represented by Browse and Darby, London and Tregony Contemporary, Cornwall. Mark is an experienced lecturer on painting and drawing and has managed two outstanding art and design programme areas in the UK over the past thirty years, as well as teaching international workshops.

His awards include the Robert Ross Scholarship from the Slade School of Fine Art, the Richard Ford Award from the Royal Academy of Arts to study in Madrid and the Young Artists’ Award from the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours. Since 2001, Mark has been an elected member of the London Group.

Mark lives and works in Cornwall in the UK and has work in collections in the UK, USA, Australia, and Europe.
Kay Vinson studied at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, under the tutelage of Euan Uglow and Patrick George. She achieved a first-class B.A Hons Degree and M.A in painting, specialising in the figure, interior/exterior contrasts and still life. Her numerous awards include The Boise Travelling Scholarship to Russia, Italy and Istanbul and Kay is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Canadian Award for figurative painting, from the Elizabeth Greenshield’s Foundation.

Kay has exhibited at the Royal Academy, Leighton House, London and the Millenium Gallery, St Ives, and has been represented by Tregony Contemporary, Cornwall since 2016.

She has work in public institutions, including University College London and Jesus College Cambridge and private collections internationally.
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Luxury Accomodations at Castello di Petroia

The venue for this week-long art immersion is the 10th Century Castello di Petroia, an authentic medieval fortress perched on a hilltop between the towns of Perugia and Gubbio, with inspiring views of the surrounding landscape. The castle, birthplace of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino (b.1422), is surrounded by a 600-acre traditional Umbrian farm with beautiful olive groves, hiking and horse-riding trails, meadows, woods and abundant wildlife.

The castle’s 16 bedrooms, each with ensuite bathroom, feature original wooden beams, stone arches, antique furniture and painted ceilings. The luxurious accommodations have been restored with an eye to modern amenities, while preserving the authentic medieval structure. The 13th Century dining room is warm and refined, with historic furnishings, soft light, fireplaces and candles. Breakfasts, which include homemade yogurts, breads, pastries, jams, fresh fruit and local meats and cheeses, are served in the historic Guidobaldo Hall, an elegant book-lined, wood-beamed room with magnificent views of the Umbrian countryside.
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Itinerary

Friday, June 13
• Pickup at meeting spot in Rome at 2:00
• Arrive Castello di Petroia, Gubbio
• Orientation/Welcome, Aperitivo and Dinner
Saturday, June 14
• Breakfast at the castle
• Morning painting
• Lunch at the castle
• Afternoon painting
• Aperitivo and Dinner at the castle
Sunday, June 15
• Breakfast at the castle
• Morning painting instruction
• Lunch at the castle
• Afternoon painting instruction
• Aperitivo and Dinner at the castle
Monday, June 16
• Breakfast at the castle
• Morning painting instruction
• Lunch at the castle
• Afternoon painting instruction
• Wine Tasting
• Dinner at the castle
Tuesday, June 17
• Breakfast at the castle
• Excursion to Perugia
• Aperitivo and Dinner at the castle
Wednesday, June 18
• Breakfast at the castle
• Morning painting instruction
• Lunch at the castle
• Afternoon painting instruction
• Aperitivo and Dinner at the castle
Thursday, June 19
• Breakfast at the castle
• Morning painting instruction
• Lunch at the castle
• Afternoon painting instruction
• Farewell aperitivo and exhibit of work
• Farewell Dinner
Friday, June 20
• Breakfast at the castle
• Depart for Rome – 9:00 AM
• Arrive in Rome at drop-off spot – 11:30AM-12:00 PM
(Planned itinerary is subject to minor alterations.)
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The Umbrian Context: Interior and Exterior Light and Spaces

with Mark Dunford & Kay Vinson – June 13-20, 2025
at Castello di Petroia, Umbria, Italy

Total cost is based per room and number of occupants:

Solo workshop participant: $4,850.
Two workshop participants sharing a room: $7,550.
Workshop participant with travel companion: $6,950.

What’s Included:  

  • 8 days, 7 nights accommodation, private room with ensuite bathroom at Castello di Petroia
  • Ground transport from Rome to venue and return
  • All breakfasts, 5 lunches, all dinners with wine
  • 5 full days of painting instruction
  • Additional activities include: Welcome aperitivo, excursion to Gubbio, wine tasting, closing reception.
A deposit of $750 per person will reserve your room and space(s) in a workshop. You may cancel your reservation for a full refund of the deposit within 24 hours. After 24 hours, the deposit is non-refundable. Full balance and signed contract are due four months before the beginning of the workshop.

There are limited spaces available in this workshop. Please contact martha@winslowartcenter.com to register.

Choose your Room Option:

Single Occupancy

Solo Workshop Particpant - $750 deposit

Double Occupancy

Two Workshop Participants - $1500 deposit

Double Occupancy

Workshop Participant with Travel Companion - $1500 deposit

Please read the contract for complete terms and conditions.
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Experience Counts

Martha and the Winslow Art Center team have over 10 years of experience organizing destination art workshops. We personally participate in every travel workshop to ensure the quality of the accommodations and cuisine as well as to coordinate the special needs of the art instruction program.

If you have any questions, please use the form below, phone 206-715-6663 or email martha@winslowartcenter.com to contact us.

There are limited spaces available in this workshop. Please contact martha@winslowartcenter.com to register.
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Winslow Art Center recognizes that air travel contributes to the emission of climate changing carbon into the atmosphere and has committed to doing its share to offset those costs to the environment. Every year WAC makes a substantial donation to the Rainforest Alliance, or other similar organization committed to climate conservation.

© 2024 Winslow Art Travel Workshops LLC • 206-715-6663 • martha@winslowartcenter.com

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