Art Retreats

Botanical Art Retreat

ITALY

MAY-JUNE 2026 BOOKED OUT, WAITLIST ONLY

View from a balcony with potted plants, trees, and rooftops of a town set against green mountains.

RETREAT ONE: 30TH MAY - 6TH JUNE, 2026 BOOKED OUT, WAITLIST ONLY

RETREAT TWO: 7TH JUNE - 17TH JUNE, 2026 BOOKED OUT, WAITLIST ONLY

Join Australian Artist/Educator Jo Horswill for a Botanical Art Retreat to the beautiful medieval town of Barga in Northern Tuscany, Italy.

Both studio and accommodation will be within the walls of the wonderful Quattro Archi (Four Arches) artist venue in the medieval town of Barga, Northern Tuscany, Italy.
After leisurely breakfasts, you will spend your days immersed in printmaking local foliage, exploring various printmaking techniques, that can then be used to create a collage, scroll or book, as a very special keepsake of this incredible time and beautiful place.
Explore botanical printing techniques. Inspired by a never ending source of inspiration from the old walls, historical architecture, warmth of the people, beautiful food and of course foliage from local plants and trees that surround Barga.
Jo is a passionate educator, who has many years of experience with printmaking techniques and running art workshops.
This retreat is suitable for anyone who would love to spend a week immersed in Tuscany, creating beautiful works on paper under Jo’s guidance.

Quattro Archi Studio

Inclusions:

6 or 9 day workshop in studio with Jo

Accommodation at the beautiful Quattro Archi art venue - Barga, Tuscany, Italy

All breakfasts

Welcome dinner

Excursions

Not included:

International airfares

Travel insurance

Meals & drinks not specified in itinerary

Email for information

Paper & Print Art Retreat

A close-up of a leaf with intricate, lacy patterns on a textured background.

NOVEMBER 2026 BOOKED OUT, WAITLIST ONLY

JAPAN

10TH - 15TH NOVEMBER 2026 BOOKED OUT, WAITLIST ONLY

Join Australian Artist/Educator Jo Horswill for a Paper & Print Art Retreat in Japan.

Immerse into the fascinating process of handmaking traditional washi paper, indigo and experimental botanical contact printmaking.

This retreat is based at the Awagami Factory, which is located in the Yoshinogawa village on the island of Shikoku, where mountains and rivers provide the fibre and water necessary for washi papermaking.

You will spend your days learning about and making Japanese paper, including 1 day of indigo dyeing and 2 days of experimental botanical contact printmaking techniques.