GUBBIO, ITALY | Stephanie

Join me for an Art Retreat in the Enchanting town of Gubbio, where History, Art & Charm greet you
at every turn.

Step into an Italian rhythm of life and creativity in the medieval hilltop town of Gubbio, Italy, where centuries of history, rolling Umbrian hills, and everyday Italian beauty become part of your art-making process. This retreat is designed to be both inspiring and deeply doable, whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner ready to say YES to something meaningful!

An Italian Art Retreat with Stephanie with Art & Soul

Create, wander, and fall in love with art again in the hills of Umbria.

Day One of Class
You will begin by creating our own hand-made collage papers using a cohesive, thoughtfully curated color palette. Stephanie will demonstrate a variety of fun & exciting new techniques including: mark-making, stamping, image transfers, stenciling, and layering with multiple mediums. We’ll work on a range of papers, including delicate tissue that creates stunning translucent overlays (a favorite technique students always love). The focus is ease, exploration, and joy. By the end of the day, you’ll have a beautiful personal stash of collage papers rich with texture, color, and creative potential.

Day Two of Class
Your papers come to life as we create a cohesive collage painting series on watercolor paper. Stephanie will guide you through her approach to building a serieshow to select, layer, and compose with intention, so your work feels cohesive, expressive, and uniquely yours. You’ll leave with finished pieces and techniques you can immediately apply to your mixed media practice long after the retreat ends.

Day Three of Class
Participants will create a Concertina Travel Journal, pre-assembled together as a group. Inspired by our Umbrian surroundings, you’ll design your own covers for your Concertina Travel Journal.
See the fun examples below!

Day Four of Class

We will fill our Concertina Travel Journal with watercolor sketches, collage elements, and sweet visual memories documenting your time in Gubbio. This timeless keepsake is designed to tuck easily into your carry-on. A treasure you’ll revisit again and again as a reminder of your Italian creative journey!

See Stephanie's Classes HERE

Examples of Triptych & Concertina Travel Journals

An art kit including collage papers, travel watercolors, stabile pencil & handouts.
Preassembled Concertina travel Journals. This timeless keepsake is designed to tuck easily into your carry-on, something you’ll revisit again and again as a reminder of your Italian creative journey!

Shared Supplies:
A variety of paint brushes, gel medium, stamps, stencils
& gel medium

Instructor will supply

Bonus Art Social

As a special highlight of the Retreat, we’ll come together for a joyful, large-group art-making gathering with all three instructors. I will be joined by acclaimed artists Pamela Sue Johnson and Dina Wakely for a relaxed, playful creative session filled with laughter, collaboration, and spontaneous inspiration. This is a rare chance to create alongside and learn from, three artists at once, in an atmosphere that feels more like a celebration than a class.

Getting there

Most travelers arrive via Rome, with Florence also being a wonderful option. From either city, Italy’s scenic train system will take you close to Gubbio, followed by a short taxi ride or hotel shuttle to the retreat location. Shuttle service from the nearest train station is included with your retreat registration, making the final leg of the journey easy and stress-free.

Once you’re registered, you’ll receive clear, step-by-step travel guidance to help you plan with confidence. Many guests enjoy flying into one city and departing from the other—a beautiful way to see more of Italy by rail or extend your stay for extra exploration.

We highly recommend arriving a day or two early to adjust to the time change and settle in feeling relaxed and inspired. There are plenty of excellent travel resources available, and I will be happy to offer guidance and support as you plan your journey.

The Hotel Relais Ducale

During the retreat, we’ll be staying together at the beautiful

Hotel Relais Ducale, a historic palace once home to an Italian duke and lovingly restored for modern comfort. Your registration includes your lodging, daily breakfast, and several shared meals—making it easy to relax and enjoy each day without logistics getting in the way. The hotel also offers on-site dining, and you’ll find a wonderful variety of local restaurants just a short stroll away when you feel like exploring.

Retreat Cost

-Single Room: $4999

-Double Room: $4299

-A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your spot in this intimate retreat.

-Flight to Italy is a separate cost

Partners are welcome to join us for group meals and activities: $4,200.

This is what your registrations includes:

On-site accommodation at our historic hotel
Round-trip shuttle service between the rail station and the hotel
A warm welcome reception with wine and light bites
Daily breakfast buffet to start each morning with ease
Several shared group meals throughout the retreat
A guided visit to Fabriano, the renowned center of fine papermaking, including a live demonstration and hands-on paper crafting with a master artisan
A visit to a local pottery studio with a behind-the-scenes tour and the chance to watch the ancient RAKU FIRING process, then glaze a special keepsake piece to take home

A day trip to Assisi, exploring the iconic Basilica of St. Francis
Three immersive days of art instruction, plus additional guided creative sessions, open studio time, and plenty of opportunities to make art at your own pace
Art kit and Art Supplies provided
Concertina Travel Journal. This timeless keepsake is designed to tuck easily into your carry-on.

Bring good walking shoes

This retreat is best enjoyed by those comfortable with a bit of movement, as Gubbio’s charming streets include hills, steps, and historic cobblestones. If you love to explore on foot, you’ll feel right at home, supportive walking shoes are highly recommended. Our days will be thoughtfully paced, blending guided art sessions and planned outings with plenty of free time to rest, wander, or enjoy quiet moments on your own. A detailed itinerary is available HERE so you can see how the week unfolds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be an experienced traveler to get to Gubbio?
Not at all. Italy’s rail system is reliable, easy to navigate, and widely used by both locals and visitors. Whether you arrive in Rome or Florence, you can book a straightforward train journey that brings you close to Gubbio in just a few hours.

Once you register, you’ll receive clear travel guidance and support to help you plan every step with confidence.

Can I bring a spouse or companion who isn’t taking the art workshops?
Yes. A companion rate is available for partners who would like to share your room and join group meals and excursions, without participating in the art sessions. If this option interests you, just reach out and I’ll be happy to share the details.

What is the cancellation policy?
We understand that plans can change. The retreat cancellation terms are as follows:

More than 180 days prior: 50% refund of the total paid (minus the non-refundable deposit)
180–120 days prior: 25% refund of the total paid (minus the non-refundable deposit)
Within 120 days: Refunds are no longer available

Should I purchase travel insurance?
Yes, travel insurance is strongly recommended. It’s an affordable way to protect your airfare and any independently booked travel expenses and provides valuable peace of mind. Please note that travel insurance does not cover retreat fees that fall within the cancellation window.

Concertina Sketchbook Class at the Art & Soul Retreat (2025)

Stephanie Burton is a lifelong artist and devoted teacher who believes creativity is meant to be lived, not rushed. With decades of experience in ceramics and mixed media, she brings both skill and calm confidence to the studio, guiding students with clarity, warmth, and deep respect for the creative process.

Stephanie’s teaching style is welcoming and intuitive—structured enough to support you, yet open enough to let your voice emerge naturally. Beginners feel encouraged, experienced artists feel renewed, and everyone leaves with work they’re proud of and tools they can carry forward.

She has taught widely in studios, schools, and international settings, including many years with Georgie’s and Art & Soul, collaborative teaching in El Salvador, and ongoing workshops from her home studio in Washington. Her love of teaching is felt in every class—and reflected in the growth, confidence, and joy of her students.

Imagine creating Art in a medieval hill town, wandering stone streets, sharing meals, stories, and laughter, and soaking in everyday beauty of Italian life!

It’s the kind of setting that naturally opens creativity and invites you to slow down, notice more, and make meaningful work.

Guided by thoughtful teaching and surrounded by fellow artists, you’ll leave with new skills, renewed confidence, beautiful artwork and memories forever linked to this remarkable place. This is more than a class. It’s a creative experience you’ll carry with you long after you return home.

Join me in Italy for Art, Inspiration & Creative Connection

I’m so excited to share that I’ve been invited to teach at the Art & Soul retreat in beautiful Gubbio, Italy this year. Art & Soul has been bringing mixed-media artists together for over 20 years, and their Italy retreat has quickly become something truly special. This retreat is limited to eight participants per teaching Artist. I can’t wait to see who ends up in my creative circle there, making art, sharing inspiration, and creating lasting memories in a place filled with history, beauty, and that unmistakable Italian magic.

For more information

Questions? I realize this is a lot of information!

Please reach out with any questions about joining me in Gubbio Italy at: steph.l.burton@gmail.com

To reserve your spot, email info@artandsoulretreat.com
(Registration is by email only for this retreat). A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your spot in this intimate retreat.