Taught by distinguished arts professionals from New York City and Athens. The Workshop is a place where creative work can be pursued with joy, rigor, and innovation. We encourage writers and artists to take great risks in honing their craft and encourage students to understand where their work fits within various artistic traditions, and to actively engage with contemporary intellectual and creative work of the present moment.
Writers
We encourage close reading, a solid understanding of classic and foundational texts, and a focus on ethical engagement and critical inquiry. At its root, writing is about empathetically embodying character, place, and time and bringing these elements to work through lucid detail. We are deeply engaged in developing an approach to seeing the surprising, the unexpected, and the excluded in print.
Artists: Drawing & Art History
Daily visits to archaeological sites, historical museums, contemporary art galleries, and dramatic landscapes provide the setting for close looking, critical inquiry, honing drawing technique, and self reflection. Using the city of Athens as our studio, we’ll research and develop ideas that provide inspiration and source material for extended projects. Group discussion and individual critique is deepened by art historical presentations and exploration of contemporary artistic concepts.
Cross-Discipline
Artists and writers are encouraged to work across disciplines. Schedules are organized to make it simple for writers to attend drawing or gallery sessions, and for visual artists to attend workshops and readings. Everyone is welcome to attend day trips and evening gatherings.
A Typical Day
9:00 a.m. Artists and Writers gather for coffee and pastry
9:30-12:30 Writer’s Workshop/Artists Workshop and Drawing in the City
12:30- Lunch
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Drawing in the Museum or Historical Sites, Hikes in the City
4:00 p.m. Break
7:00 p.m. Readings, Presentations, Critiques, Openings
8:30 Dinner
Day Trips
There will be two full-day excursions outside the city for the entire group –one to Delphi and one to the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion or to the island of Aegina.
Fees
Cost of the program is $1,400 USD per person; artists and writers are responsible for their own travel and accommodations. Athens Workshop can provide a variety of discounted options for hotels, hostels, and home stays to fit any budget.
What to Bring
Artists should bring pencils, charcoal, India ink, personal sketch book, and any other media they are interested in using. There are several good art supply stores in the neighborhood. Both writers and artists will have the opportunity to learn how to make and bind their own books. Writers should bring journals, pens, and laptops if they use them. Everyone should bring a bathing suit, sunscreen, good hiking shoes, and should follow CDC and WHO guidelines for personal protective gear such as regulation masks and hand sanitizer.
