Body shapes - Figurative art

Peccia, Switzerland

Summary

We learn to understand a person's anatomy best by empathizing with it. We use existing sculptures in the studio and our own observations of the body as illustrative material. Each participant first models a large human figure in a hollow structure and also has the opportunity to work on small sculptures. During the work, we focus on the anatomy and statics of the figure, but always keep an eye on the emotional expression of a position. We will create standing, seated or reclining figures that focus on the human body and its gravity. The experience and skills we acquire will help us to shape the works more freely during the course.

Technical note:
The course is designed so that the sculptures are taken away in a leather-hard state and are easy to fire afterwards. There is a pottery school in Ticino that accepts orders for firings. If you would like to fire there, the sculptures can be up to 60 cm high and 80 cm wide. Larger works can also be fired in pieces. If you have a firing facility near your home, it would be useful to find out how big the kiln is there and bring this information with you to the course.

I think there is an analogy between clay as a material and the heaviness of the body. Through self-awareness, I have been able to experience the sensuality of beautiful body shapes when modeling. I would like to pass this idea on to other people who are interested in the human body.
Bärbel Dieckmann

The retreat at a glance

The most important facts in a nutshell:

Categories: Creative Retreats, Nanas / Objects, Modeling
Date: 2026-07-05 - 2026-07-10
Language(s): English, German
Level: Beginner
Place: Peccia, Switzerland
Accommodation: not included
Catering: No meals
Services: In our seminars, you will be taught and accompanied by highly qualified instructors.

The Scuola di Scultura maintains its buildings, workplaces and technical facilities to a professional standard.

The atmosphere in the studio is ideal for getting started in artistic work.

Accommodation

There are various options for organizing accommodation during the courses. You can stay together with the other course participants in one of the Scuola's accommodation buildings, or you can book one of 4 studio apartments directly on the school's premises. You can also book a hotel room with breakfast or rent a rustico in the area.

Costs for accommodation in one of the Scuola di Scultura's course houses:
Double room for 1 week: 200.- CHF
Single room for 1 week: 300.- CHF

Catering

Breakfast & lunch will be organized by the participants themselves and can be arranged freely, in the evening there will be a meal together in the Ex-Osteria in Prato Sornico.

Various chefs are happy to cook for our course participants and offer dinner at the Ex-Osteria Mignami during the week (Mon-Fri). Dinner costs CHF 26 including starter/main/dessert (drinks such as wine, beer, etc.) can be purchased from them by the bottle.

sequence

Arrival: Sunday meeting point 5.15 p.m., organizational matters, setting up the studio, moving into the accommodation and eating together, if desired.
Working hours: Monday to Friday: 8.30 am to 12 noon, 2 pm to 5 pm.
In addition, you can work freely.
Departure after the end of the course, possible until 10 am on Saturday.

Arrival

Arrival by public transport from Locarno SBB railroad station. Take the "Vallemaggia" bus to Bignasco, then change to the Postbus to the "Peccia Paese" stop.

By car via Gotthard (A2) / San Bernardino (A3/A13) or Chiasso (A2) / exit: "Bellinzona Sud/Locarno" direction Locarno (main road) / Locarno tunnel / exit: "Vallemaggia/ Centovalli / Onsernone" (DO NOT leave Locarno!) continue in the direction of Vallemaggia (from the end of the tunnel another 40 km to Peccia)

Coming from western Switzerland and Valais: Simplon route to Domodossola / Centovalli / Ponte-Brolla, then turn left into Vallemaggia (from here 35 km to Peccia)

Scuola di Scultura 1, 6695 Peccia, Ticino, Switzerland

Cancellation policy

After this, if you cancel up to the day of arrival, you will receive a 100% refund of the booking price.

Cancellation of course/seminar/accommodation: From registration up to 4 weeks before the start of the course/seminar, a cancellation fee of 10% will be charged for the course, seminar and accommodation. 4 weeks or less before the start of the course/seminar, a cancellation fee of 50% will be charged. If you cancel 1 week or more before the start of the course/seminar, the entire fee is due unless you provide a replacement.

Dates

2026-07-05

2026-07-10
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