La Romita, School Of Art

In the fall of 1999, I joined my teacher, the conceptual colorist, Ann, again. This time in Italy.

La Romita, School of Art, a converted five-hundred year old monastery, founded by two artist sisters, Paula and Enza Quargnali, who inherited the property from their grandfather. The former church had been turned into a studio.
The school sits on top of a hill in the hill town of Terni, Umbria - about a couple of hours north of Rome by car.

For less than $1,800, you had ground transportation on private bus, accommodations, meals, and art instruction for two weeks. It did no include lunch during full day trips - the better to sample local fares. You just need to get to Rome.

Every year since the seventies, this non-profit school offered nine two-week sessions of workshops.

This is part of what appears in their brochure -
Sample Itinerary
Day 1   Arrival (lunch, a rest, then Terni for shopping)
Day 2   San Gemini (medieval hilltop jewel)
Day 3   Carsulae (ruins of a Roman town)
Day 4   Assisi (mystical home of St. Francis)
Day 5   Orvieto (the incredible Cathedral)
Day 6   Stonecone (classic walled twon)
Day 7   Civita di Bagnoreggio (Rick Steve's favorite)
Day 8   Scheggino (riverside)
Day 9   Todi (a favorite of US artists)
Day 10 Labro ("spills down the hillside like frosting")
Day 11 Villa Lane (the perfect Renaissance garden)
Day 12 Perugis (a capital of Etruscan confederation)
Day 13 Spoleto (home of the Festival of Two Worlds)
Day 14 Valle San Martino (tiny, perched on a hill top)
Day 15 (Morning departure with a lifetime of memories)

I could not pass this opportunity up, could I?

So, in August of l999, Two of my artist friends and I arrived in Rome, a day before going up to Umbria. We wanted to spend a little time in Rome.