Immerse yourself creatively in breathtaking surroundings and join us on an inspiring Art Retreat with Laura McKendry from Sunday 21st to Friday 26th of September 2025. Set in the stunning surroundings of the Casentino Hills, with breathtaking views of the once-abandoned Gello Valley, this creative retreat with Artist-Illustrator Laura McKendry offers an exciting opportunity to explore the art of traveling with a sketchbook and bringing drawings to life. Novanta is nestled on the edge of the beautiful Casentino National Park, surrounded by 300 hectares of rolling fields and lush forests. This peaceful, inspiring environment provides the perfect backdrop for a four-day drawing workshop, where nature itself will be your muse. Laura McKendry is a seasoned artist and teacher with over 20 years of experience. Known for her playful and intuitive approach, she uses a range of materials to create expressive, dynamic images that radiate energy and emotion. This retreat is designed to offer something new for both first-time participants and those who have joined Laura’s previous workshops.

An overview of the program:

• Day 1: The retreat kicks off with a playful evening of exploring color and pattern, encouraging intuitive and abstract image-making—techniques that often influence Laura’s own creative projects.
• Day 2-5: From there, she’ll guide you in using your sketchbook to capture the beauty of the landscape with a pared-down selection of drawing tools. These simple sketches will form the foundation for the creation of energetic, visually rich illustrations, deeply inspired by the Tuscan countryside and the authentic agriturismo lifestyle
• Day 6: By the end of the retreat, you’ll have gained numerous ways to explore any location through your sketchbook—from holiday travels to daily walks—and how to turn these sketches into vibrant, completed artworks that reflect the essence of your experiences.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll experiment with a variety of materials, including watercolors, acrylic and emulsion paints, ink, pastels, and colored pencils. Special focus will be placed on developing color palettes, creating characterful, imperfect illustrations, and refining your final images to evoke a strong sense of place. This retreat offers a perfect balance of structured guidance and personal exploration, helping you push your creative boundaries in a tranquil, inspiring setting. Whether you’re a beginner eager to dive into sketching or an experienced artist seeking fresh inspiration, it will provide the space and tools to grow your creative practice.

What’s included:

• All meals and refreshments
• 5 nights of accommodation
• Full access to teaching and all art materials
• Use of the pool and surrounding grounds
• Note: Drinks from the honesty bar are additional and paid individually at the end of your stay. Additional activities outside of the workshop can be booked and paid for separately.

Check-In & Check-Out:

• Check-in from 16:00 on Sunday
• The workshop begins Sunday evening at 17:30, followed by dinner at 19:30
• Four full workshop days from Monday to Thursday
• Check-out by 11:00 on Friday
• If traveling from afar, consider adding an extra night or two in Florence or Pisa before or after your stay at Novanta.

Accommodation:

• If you choose a shared room, we will connect you with your room partner (with permission from both parties) before the retreat.
• We’re also happy to put participants in touch if you’re arriving at the same airport and wish to share transfers.

Workshop Size & Environment:

• The workshop will be capped at 15 participants, ensuring an intimate and focused experience.
• Although the workshop is in a private space, Novanta is a large area, so other guests (unrelated to the workshop) may be on-site. This adds to the social atmosphere and creates more opportunities for interactions outside of the scheduled sessions.

Pricing:

• €1995,- for a shared double room with ensuite bathroom and twin beds
• €2295,- per person for a semi-private* bedroom in a shared suite (max 2 people) with ensuite bathroom.
• €2595,- per person for a single studio with ensuite bathroom.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE

Borgo di Gello’s Unique Nature:

Borgo di Gello is beautiful and unique but also rough and unrefined. It’s a place for those with an adventurous spirit and open mind—get ready for an unconventional yet memorable stay!

Photography:

Our in-house photographer will be on-site to capture the essence of Borgo di Gello during the retreat. Photos will be used for Novanta’s marketing purposes, but we respect your privacy and will ensure you’re comfortable with the process.

Payment:

• 50% deposit is required to secure your space, with the remaining 50% due by June.
• If an alternative payment plan is needed, please contact art@lauramckendry.com.
• Non-refundable bookings: Unless your space can be filled by another participant, in which case we will refund minus transaction fees. We recommend travel insurance for any unforeseen cancellations.