Art floral painting holiday with Catherine Bobkoski

Planet

Catherine Bobkoski’s floral painting workshop in Le Marche is more than an art retreat—it’s a celebration of slow living, creativity, and sustainability. Set in the peaceful hills of this lesser-known Italian region, the experience invites you to connect deeply with nature through art and observation.

You’ll paint with locally foraged florals, enjoy seasonal meals made from regional ingredients, and stay in a restored heritage property that honors tradition and minimizes environmental impact. Catherine’s thoughtful approach to painting encourages mindful attention and presence—cultivating not just beautiful work, but a deeper appreciation of the world around you.

This small-group retreat supports the local economy through partnerships with artisans, farmers, and eco-conscious wineries, while minimizing its footprint through low-impact transportation and walking tours of nearby villages. By choosing this experience, you’re nurturing your creative spirit while supporting a more sustainable, community-based model of travel.

People

This retreat is deeply rooted in supporting local communities, celebrating traditional craftsmanship, and fostering genuine cultural exchanges. Urbania and the surrounding region have a long-standing tradition of art, ceramics, and handcrafted goods, and this workshop is designed to connect participants with the people who continue these time-honored practices. By engaging with local ceramicists, printmakers, and artisans, participants gain firsthand insight into the dedication, skill, and heritage that define the region’s artistic identity. These small, family-run workshops and studios are essential to preserving cultural traditions, and our visit helps sustain these businesses by providing both appreciation and direct economic support.

Beyond the art world, our stay in locally owned accommodations ensures that tourism revenue remains within the community, benefiting families and small businesses rather than large corporations. Meals are a celebration of Italian culinary heritage, with dinners hosted in family-run trattorias and agriturismos, where locally sourced ingredients are transformed into traditional dishes. These experiences foster a deeper connection between visitors and the community, allowing for conversations, shared meals, and meaningful exchanges that transcend language and nationality. This workshop is not just about learning art—it’s about immersing yourself in the rhythms of local life, celebrating diversity, and ensuring that travel has a positive and lasting impact on the people who make this region so special.