Sicily Artist Retreats

In a moment in time where I felt very far away from myself, I took a leap of faith and decided to attend the Sicily Artists Retreat “Bodies in the Sun, Figures in the Night,” featuring Garin Baker. I thought I’d learn some new things artistically in a cool place from a great artist. I didn’t expect to connect on such a deep level with the Sicily Artists Retreats Family, get such soulful and meaningful guidance from Garin and feel like everyone in the retreat was family. I didn’t expect to feel so connected to my own soul by the week’s end, but it happened. We made life lasting memories, painted, learned, adventured and laughed and I will forever treasure this experience. Highly recommend, if you’re considering it - just do it!

I had the most incredible experience at Sicily Artist Retreats! From the moment I arrived, I was immersed in a world of creativity, beauty, and inspiration. The accommodations were simply wonderful. We stayed in brand new family run inn, nestled in the heart of an olive grove! Beautiful sunsets every night.

The painting workshops were a dream come true. The world-class instructors (Costa Vavagiakis in 2022 and Patrick Byrnes in 2023) provided expert guidance and encouraged us to explore our creativity in a stunning environment. I learned so much and felt my artistic skills grow with each passing day.

But it's not just about the art; it's the entire experience. The delicious meals thoughtfully prepared at the studio, hotel and restaurants were a true taste of Sicily, and I savored every bite. The extra sightseeing tours allowed me to immerse myself in the rich culture and history of the island. It was the perfect blend of creativity and exploration. The international group of students added to the rich experiences. Lasting friendships have been made

Sicily Artist Retreats truly goes above and beyond to create a harmonious environment where art and culture come together. I left feeling not only like a better artist but also rejuvenated and inspired in ways I never expected. This retreat is a must for anyone seeking artistic growth, cultural enrichment, and unforgettable memories. Thank you, Sicily Artist Retreats, for an unforgettable experience!

Life changing experience in Sicily. I was not prepared for the high level of care and attention to detail. The entire team was so coordinated and went out of their way to make sure the entire group had everything they needed. The art instruction was top of the line, I’ll never forget my experience in incredible Sicily. Thank you!

The best decision I ever made was to attend the course, Sculpting the Bust in Clay at the Sicily Artist Retreat. The founder and talented artist, Rosetta set the tone for the artist to experience Marsala’s beauty, culture and food. We were given home cooked meals for lunch and went on daily trips to learn about the culture and history of the area. Every detail was flawless. Many thanks to Annie, and Bernard, to making everyone feel the comforts of home. The accommodation and the service at the Baglio Custera was impeccable and the food deserves a Michelin star.

It was an honor and the highlight of my trip to be taught by the incomparable Dionisio Cimareilli, world-know master sculptor. Dionisio shares his knowledge of sculpting and techniques with each artist at their own pace and has a flair for teaching that engages hunger in one’s soul to learn more.

This lifetime opportunity, lessons learned and beautiful, talented people that I have met will forever be embedded in my memories.

Review for Sicily Artist Retreat

My workshop week of “Sculpting the Bust in Clay” under the guidance of world-class master sculptor, Dionisio Cimarelli in Marsala, Italy was a sterling experience in every possible way - from honing my sculpture skill to meeting the most interesting fun group to share each day with.

The attention to detail, made my art adventure seamless. The Retreat team, were exemplar - from the creative artist and founder, Rosetta, the talented Annie and Bernard who attended to our every need, and the wonderful Alessia who made sure that my broken sunglasses got fixed!

Have I mentioned the elegant, well designed hotel Baglio Custera where we stayed that served the most delicious Sicilian dishes throughout in a beautiful setting with sunsets overlooking the mountains.

Dionisio gave us a good, thorough teaching in how to really see and sculpt our model. I left ecstatic and eagerly await another opportunity to return.

I had the most comfortable and rewarding experience with Sicily Artist Retreat. Rosetta has the most genuine dedication for her initiative, she really arranges everything with familial care and makes everybody feel home and warmly taken care of. Bernard, Peter and Stacy are working tirelessly to make everything run smoothly, and make the group get along really well. As for the instructor, Patrick, I was truly impressed by his command and confidence at teaching, and all the choices he took were so wise, and his painting are breathtaking. Everybody in the group got personal and thorough critiques day after day, and the progress of the entire group was undoubtedly visible, in a very healthy atmosphere of enthusiasm and mutual support. The location is beautiful, offering a taste of Sicily and of Italy, with its landscapes, culture, history and food. Totally recommended

I recently attended a workshop at Sicily artist retreat and it exceeded all my expectations! The experience was incredible - I had the chance to learn from a talented instructor and fellow artists. Meeting like-minded individuals and exchanging ideas added a wonderful social aspect to the retreat. All the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. To top it all off, Sicily is a beautiful place for creativity and relaxation.

Amazing experience all around. Lovely people, fantastic teacher, beautiful setting, everything you could ask for and more from an artist retreat

This retreat with Patrick Byrnes was an outstanding experience. I highly recommend it.