Summary

Wood is a material in its own right. Its mostly predetermined round shape requires a clear creative intervention in order to achieve the essentials - this course offers the "basic skills" for this. Beginners and advanced students alike learn the most important basics of manual artistic woodworking and are confronted with the challenges of three-dimensional creation.

We will work with chisels, pommels, axes and dexels and slowly approach the form. Participants are individually supervised and supported in their independent work development. Short crash courses on the conception, processing and presentation of a sculpture complement the practical work. It is possible to work both figuratively and abstractly.
The first step is to make large-format sketches and develop the desired form. By creating quick models in clay, we ensure the feasibility of three-dimensionality and then work in the "taille directe" method, sketching directly onto the wood and working our way towards the sculpture stroke by stroke.
Course language: German, English

The retreat at a glance

The most important facts in a nutshell:

Categories: Sculpting, Creative Retreats, Active Retreats
Date: 2025-06-15 - 2025-06-20
Language(s): German, English
Level: Beginner
Place: Peccia, Switzerland
Accommodation: not included
Catering: No meals
Services: Our school offers optimal conditions for learning sculpture in all its forms.

The atmosphere at the Werkplatz is ideal for getting to grips with artistic work.

Our courses are taught and supervised by highly qualified instructors.

The individual support makes it possible to realize personal works.

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

The didactics of the Scuola di Scultura combine practical creative work with theoretical consolidation.

All necessary tools are provided by us.

Working together in the course groups encourages creative design.

The location of the Scuola di Scultura at the foot of Pizzo Castello, the marble mountain, makes it possible to generate maximum intensity in the exploration of the art of sculpture.

Accommodation

Ambience of the houses
If you rent a room in one of our course houses, you will be staying with the other participants in one of the old Ticino houses in the area. The original furnishings are charming and the atmosphere around the open fire is very cozy...
Costs:
Double room for 1 week: 200.- CHF
Single room for 1 week: 300.- CHF
Please bring your own towels, bed linen is provided.
Hotel rooms or a rustico (Ticino vacation home) can also be rented as accommodation, we will be happy to help you arrange this!

Catering

Breakfast and lunch will be organized by the participants themselves and can be arranged freely, in the evening there will be a meal together in one of the accommodation houses in Prato Sornico.

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

sequence

Arrival: Sunday meeting point 5.15 pm
Working hours: Monday to Friday: 8.30 am to 12 noon, 2 pm to 5 pm.
After that you can work freely.
Departure at the end of the course: Saturday until 10 am.

Arrival

Arrival is by car or public transport.

Arrival by car via Gotthard (A2) / San Bernardino (A3 / A13) or Chiasso (A2) / exit "Bellinzona Sud/Locarno" direction Locarno (main road) / tunnel Locarno / exit "Vallemaggia/Centovalli/Onsernone" (DO NOT leave Locarno!) continue direction Vallemaggia (from the end of the tunnel 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)

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

Arrival in Peccia: Turn left towards Piano di Peccia, after 30 meters there is a bridge over the river, here you can park your car on the left. The sculpture school is located directly on the river opposite the former stone processing company Cristallina S.A.

Scuola di Scultura 1, 6695 Peccia, Ticino, Switzerland

Cancellation policy

If you cancel up to 20 days before arrival, you will receive a 90% refund of the booking price.
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.