Art Retreat: The Wonders of Provence
Exploration and Discovery
September 4 – 11, 2021
$ 3100 Single; $2600 per person in Double
Provence: Van Gogh, Cezanne, perched villages with views across the valley toward the Luberon mountain range, endless towns to explore within a 15 – 25 minute drive in any direction, antique markets, daily village markets, time to explore and create, and oh! French food!
Head deep into the Luberon Valley — land of sumptuous markets and wines, perched villages, stone farmhouses, lavender, olives, ochre-tinted hills, hikes, and food, food, food.
We’ll wind our way through multiple picture-perfect settings all a short distance from our own farmhouse, grab olives and tomatoes and pasta and whip up fresh meals under the trees, and traipse along the Sorgue, a gorgeously-green river colored by thousands of waving aquatic plants. Back home, we’ll talk about art and color, discoveries and ideas, share a few passions.
Toss your necessaries in a pretty woven basket and throw on that sweet linen dress (or pick one up at the market) and come with us to Provence in September 2021.
WHERE
Our home base will be a FABULOUS mas (traditional farmhouse) just a ten minute walk from the famous perched village of Gordes, with its thriving Tuesday market, shops, cafes, cobbled lanes and gorgeous views over the city walls. Our house has ten bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, multiple sitting rooms, a chef’s kitchen, terraces, large greenspace with rose and olive trees, heated pool, internet, and views, views, views.
PROGRAM
Our stay will feature learning sessions, opportunities to explore Provence, and plenty of time to sketch, paint, mosaic in the gardens, or write in cute cafes along the lane. Dinners and down time will be perfect for show and tell, sharing tips, and talking about materials. In addition to instruction, critiques will be available if desired.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES, ALL OPTIONAL
- Exploratory visits to local perched villages including the picturesque Menerbes (A Year in Provence); Lacoste: the hilltop castle was once owned by the Marquis de Sade — now owned by Pierre Cardin with grounds used for summer theatre; also home to Savannah College of Art and Design; one of the largest ochre deposits in the world; explore the landscape and learn about making paint from natural pigments; Oppede-le-Vieux, which features both charming abodes and a large hilltop with picturesque abandoned village and a mountaintop church with stunning views; all excellent locations for sketching or watercolor as well as photography.
GOOD TO KNOW
- This art retreat is open to artists and non-artists — especially suited for painters, watercolorists, writers, and mosaic artists. No art practices that involve fire, caustic or smelly materials. A materials list will follow closer to the time of the retreat.
- Instruction and critiques will be held at scheduled times.
- You’re welcome to create as often as you like on site or in villages. Offsite visits not included in the daily schedule will likely involve finding transportation. We’ll have info available.
- You may join in as many or as few of the scheduled activities as desired, but there will be no refund for skipped activities.
- There is no train or bus transportation in this area; taxis are uncommon but possible. We’ll have a couple of cars for group use at specified times, but free spirits may want to rent their own car or share with 1 or 2 others. Rentals will be from the Avignon TGV station. There are fewer automatics, so be sure and reserve early if you want one. There’s parking space for 10 cars at the house, and roads in Provence are quiet and easy to navigate.
TO REGISTER
We’ve been taking names for some time and have begun the process of contacting those interested in the order received. For more information, contact Pam.
WHO WE ARE

Pam Goode is a mosaic artist, writer, founding partner of Ciel Gallery, and founder of Wild Hair Adventures and Mosaic Art Retreats. An avid traveler, Pam is most inspired by being in unfamiliar surrounds where every sight, every thought, is new. “I see everything differently — feel everything differently — and the ability to communicate my own transformation though art thrills me.” A lifelong writer, Pam has been creating mosaics for twenty years, always with a concentration on color. “I want the leaps, the brazen, the WAKE-UP raucous combinations that stop you in your tracks and make you rethink your life and where you’re going.” www.pamelagoodemosaics.com

Laura McRae Hitchcock has been painting for over 30 years. She was a partner artist and teacher with Ciel Gallery and recent Artist in Residence at Olive Stack Gallery in Listowel, Ireland. Additionally, she is a 2016 participant in the nationally celebrated ArtPop program and grant recipient from the Arts and Science Council. “I try to get to the heart of the matter … my heart, that is. I’ve given up trying to be perfect, and instead I focus on finding that space where my heart speaks with paint. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but wow, what a ride it is!” www.lauramcraehitchcock.com
OMG this is the group I want to be with, and the location!! sign me up! Lindsay Daniel
Lindsay! We’d be thrilled to have you!
Are Pawleys Island prices per day or per week?
Per week!
Is a ‘double’ 2 single beds, or a double bed? This sounds amazing. Fortunately, this far out, I have nothing on my calendar yet for these dates, except this is now penciled in :)
A Double has two beds!
I’m so in for the Provence trip. Where do I sign up?
Done! :-)
Think I told you to sign me up for Provence. Just confirming! Costa Rica too, one more time!
Yep! You’re on both!
Provence, Pawleys and there is another Costa Rica??? I want to do them all!!
Nancy Bove
Life is short! I need to do it all! And you’re a great inspiration :-)
Sign me up for Provence please! xoxo
Done!
Please count me in for Provence, for sure! Love traveling with your wonderful group!!! ❤️
So very interested in Provence trip. Let me know details! Julia
Would love to join you in Provence!
I am interested in trip!!!!
Thanks Kim — you’re on the list!
I have minimal experience with either painting or mosaic, but have been throwing pottery for a few years and would like to further explore my artistic side and mosaic in particular interests me. I’d like learn more about the Provence trip and attend if you still have room.
Hi Liz! No experience necessary. I imagine the painters will do a lot of painting, but mosaic lovers will probably focus a bit more on exploring since materials are heavy for travel and work is slow. Lots of excellent inspiration for future artworks though! I’ve got you on the list and will be in touch with everyone soon.
I guess I was hoping that there’d be more of an emphasis on instruction, specifically mosaic. I can see your point about mosaic materials being heavy and a challenge to transport, but my focus was to learn in that wonderful Provence setting. I get your newsletter/emails, so the best idea would be for me to take some of your classes I think, rather than go on the France trip.
No problem — I totally understand that!
Is there room for one more?