We loved our 2023 trip so much we are doing it all again in May 2025. Join Blue Dog Glass and Silvia Levenson in her studio in the town of Lesa, North Italy for this 6-day workshop. Students are invited to work in Silvia’s private studio learning lost wax and open face casting, incorporating images into the final works. There are only 7 places available, so don’t miss out.
Workshop:
Every object has a skin. Thick or thin, smooth or rough, porous or impermeable, the skin is the line between what’s hidden inside and what we experience on the outside. By reproducing them in glass we will expand our creativity but also we will explore several techniques in order to develop our own “voice” in own pieces. We will discuss about how and why we translate our ideas into glass. We will be looking at our skin, textures, organic surfaces etc. We will work on kiln casting from different point of view, looking for a balance between surface, images and transparency. Students will carry out a small project and several tests with different skins, using clay, plaster, wax and alginate.
At the end of this course, each student will have 3 pieces made experiencing different techniques.
Students will produce :
Techniques covered include:
– casting from life with alginate
– a part of the body by using alginate and wax
– a cast piece from baby clothing or a
– a dome ( images from decals and powder printing) + mould making
-working with wax
– kiln casting by using textiles or ready-made soft objects
– lost wax casting
– refractory mould making
– Small dome casting
– how to include images in glass
– fire polishing.
– Firing schedules
Silvia will also present various talks and discussions about her work and life as an artist. To read more about Silvia visit www.silvialevenson.com
Where we are staying:
We will be staying at the beautiful Casa Mariuccia in Lesa. We will have the villa to ourselves for the duration of the workshop, so there will be plenty of time and space for us to relax on the grounds, drink a prosecco near the pool and in the evenings share meals on the veranda. The villa is 6km from Silvia’s studio and located in a small village. Students will be shuttled to and from the workshop each day. The village were Casa Mariuccia is located has basic shops within walking distance. Please note there are no buses or taxis in the area so we will be walking to the village, it is a good idea to look at google maps to see the landscape https://www.google.com/maps/@45.8220939,8.5389817,3a,75y,111.11h,89.34t/data=!3m 6!1e1!3m4!1s-XbArV0gorzYFo10LkS9CQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
We will have a car so should the need arise we can visit larger shops etc. There are a couple of options for sleeping:
- A double bed (non shared room) with a private bathroom, shared living space
- A double bed (non shared room) with a shared bathroom and shared living space
- A single bed in a room with another single bed- (shared room) shared bathroom and shared living room
- A single bed in a loft room (private room) shared bathroom and shared living room
Please visit Casa Mariuccia’s website to see all the options. Prices vary depending on room type.
Casa Mariuccia writes:
Casa Mariuccia is a residence built by the Marquis Visconti in 1400 next to their Castle. It is
settled in the old hamlet of Massino Visconti and it was recently renovated by the owners,
always preserving its original characteristics. It is surrounded by a great garden with two
camellias, while a bower of wisteria shades the sunbed area and juxtaposes the swimming pool.
Massino Visconti is around 460 meters above sea level. It is a fascinating hamlet, fief and
vacation spot of the Visconti’s during its age, placed between the mount San Salvatore,
where the Eremo dei Benedettini rises, and the lake Maggiore.
The favorable climate facilitates the bloom of camellias, azaleas and rhododendron. Lakes,
islands, mountains, towns, man and nature-made masterpieces are waiting for you.
CASA MARIUCCIA
Via per Lesa, 2
28040 Massino Visconti (NO) ITALIA
About Lesa
Lesa is a lovely little town on the shores of Lake Maggiore, halfway
between Stresa and Arona. It is a placid place with beautiful views and a relaxing atmosphere. The town and surrounding area are full of extravagant villas and palazzi, with gardens and distinctive architecture, demonstrating that Lago Maggiore was populated by noble families, and is still a getaway for the wealthy. Villa Campari, built by the family of Campari liqueur, is one of the many properties owned by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi but there are many other gorgeous properties all over the countryside and villages here. Stresa and Lesa have long attracted writers and intellectuals, and here in Lesa is a museum dedicated to Alessandro Manzoni, a poet and novelist, best known for I Promessi Sposi (The Bethrothed).
On the lakeshore are the ruins of a castle that once guarded the town. There are several ancient churches to visit, including San Sebastiano, dating from the 1100s, and San Martino, dedicated to the town’s patron saint, which was already in existence in the 1200s when an alliance was signed here between the city-state of Milano and the local nobility. The Church of San Giorgio was built in the 1100s and has a beautiful bell tower still intact, with a lunette carved with the saint slaying the dragon. A newer Baroque section was added in 1764.
The location in the mid-portion of Lake Maggiore is convenient to reach notable towns like Stresa and Arona. Lesa is on a spur in the lake providing it with nice little beaches and lovely views. Across the lake are Ispra and Ranco, two shorefront towns that are in the region
of Lombardy.
Lesa has an active life with a population of about 2400, making it peaceful and yet offering services and restaurants. There are abundant outdoor activities available, both on the water and in the hills and mountains surrounding Lago Maggiore.
What is included:
- 6 Day workshop at Silvia Levenson’s studio on casting and image making. All materials included
- Accommodation at Casa Mariuccia for 7 nights
- Breakfast and lunch daily
- Transportation to the studio daily
What is not included:
- Transportation to Lesa, students will need to catch a bus or train to Lesa where they will be picked up and taken to accommodation
- Evening meals, we will however have some shared meals at the villa
- Airfares and other transport costs
- Any associated travel costs such as Visas and travel insurance
Dates:
26th – 31st May 2025 6 day workshop
Costs:
- A double bed (non shared room) with a private bathroom, shared living space $5495
- A double bed (non shared room) with a shared bathroom and shared living space $5390
- A single bed in a room with another single bed- (shared room) shared bathroom and shared living room $4950
- A single bed in a loft room (private room in open loft) shared bathroom and shared living room $4950
Students will have the option to select rooms, this will be on a first in best dressed bases.
Payment arrangements:
Participants on the workshop do not have to travel from Australia, this class is open to anyone.
Cancellations:
If Blue Dog Studios cancels:
In the unlikely event that we cancel a class, those who have enrolled will receive a full refund. If a class is cancelled, Blue Dog Studios is not responsible for reimbursing travel costs or other associated expenses.
If you cancel or transfer:
The class fees include a $500 non-refundable, non-transferable administration fee, which is forfeited if a student cancels their enrolment for any reason. Cancellations or transfers received less than 180 days, but more than 90 days, prior to the start of the workshop will receive a refund of 50% of the course fees paid, unless the place is filled, in which case the $500 non-refundable administration fee will be deducted . No refund will be given for cancellations received less than 90 days prior to the start of the workshop .
We strongly recommend that students purchase travel insurance that covers cancellations due to COVID
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Glass casting workshop with SIlvia Levenson
May 26, 2025
10:00 am - 5:00 pm -
Glass casting workshop with SIlvia Levenson
May 27, 2025
10:00 am - 5:00 pm -
Glass casting workshop with SIlvia Levenson
May 28, 2025
10:00 am - 5:00 pm -
Glass casting workshop with SIlvia Levenson
May 29, 2025
10:00 am - 5:00 pm -
Glass casting workshop with SIlvia Levenson
May 30, 2025
10:00 am - 5:00 pm -
Glass casting workshop with SIlvia Levenson
May 31, 2025
10:00 am - 5:00 pm