Organizer Information
The retreat is led by Tracy Mackenna, an award-winning artist, curator, and Professor Emerita at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design. As the curator of The Museum of Loss and Renewal, Mackenna focuses on gathering people to stimulate creative energy and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Title & Description
DRAWING with PLACE 2026.
This 8-day creative retreat is a curated experience designed to help practitioners decelerate and investigate "place" through the act of drawing. Set in the undiscovered Molise region, the program balances structured workshops with uninterrupted personal time. Participants are invited to experiment with all forms of mark-making while immersed in the ancient and contemporary environments of the Apennine mountains.
Categories
Visual Arts.
Eligibility
- Participants: Open to practitioners who think through drawing or wish to use drawing as a mode of investigation.
- Suitability: Ideal for those developing, extending, or challenging their current drawing practices.
- Health & Mobility: Participants should be prepared to walk ancient, soft grassy paths in a mountainous environment (no elevator in accommodation).
Program Benefits and Awards
- Mentorship: Small group size (limit 6) ensures high-level guidance from Tracy Mackenna.
- Workshops: Daily structured sessions (10:00 AM – Lunch) focusing on observation, scale, and tailored drawing exercises.
- Resources: Access to superb studio spaces, an on-site library of artist publications, and basic materials (papers, pencils, charcoal).
- Cultural Immersion: Guided walks through the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise and visits to local Roman and Samnite archaeological sites.
- Accommodation: 7 nights in a private room in excellent self-catering housing in the village of Collemacchia.
Fees
- Full Price: €1,500.00.
- Deposit: A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking.
Application Requirements
- Booking: Places are booked directly through the artist's studio platform.
- Preparation: Participants are encouraged to bring their own preferred sketchbooks and specific tools beyond the basic materials provided.
How to Apply?
Book your place via the official website. For specific inquiries or access needs, email Tracy Mackenna at tracy@tracy.mackenna.studio. Book DRAWING with PLACE here.
Key Dates
- Retreat Dates: Friday, October 9 – Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Check-in: 4:00 PM on Oct 9 (Arrival in Venafro by 3:30 PM recommended).
- Balance Due: 12 weeks prior to the workshop.
Location
Italy, Collemacchia, Molise (Municipality of Filignano).
Additional Details
Collemacchia is a vibrant, multi-lingual Italian community nestled in the mountains. The region is notable for having virtually no tourism, offering unspoiled access to nature and history.