For this creative project with Sam Hunter, you will travel and explore locally, gathering the inspiration for your journal. The schedule alternates between studio time and exploring time to maximise getting inspired, and translating that to a journal. No prior artistic experience is necessary!
About this course:
Embroidered Journey tours and retreats are small, bespoke events led by Sam Hunter.
This Embroidered Journey is a little different! It’s ALL about the journal – not the embroidery! Sam will be instructing different ways to make a personalised travel journal based on the locales and experiences that are close by. Of course, you are still welcome to add stitching to your journal experience!
Sam Hunter is a former university fiber arts professor and loves to help people discover their artistic voice. She is helpful, fun, and encouraging, and creates a relaxed learning environment. One of her superpowers is making art accessible to anyone who wants to come play. She has been making travel journals for over a decade, and it has become an integral part of her travel experiences (and so much more fun for her friends to look through than a folder on a mobile phone, or carousel of slides!)
This session is at a much slower pace than the big European cities, and you will spend your time alternating between local exploration to find inspiration for your journal, and relaxing studio time to turn inspiration into art. You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind book of memories from your trip, and a few new skills for your future travel journals.
Journaling can be done at all levels, and the provided kit includes enough material to get you started.
No artistic experience is necessary! Sam will teach you various different journaling skills and you get to choose the ones you like best. During the week you’ll cover:
• Sketching and drawing styles
• Watercolour
• Found objects
• Collage
• Ephemera
• Map-making
• Pop-up structures
• “How to” drawings
• Photography tips
• Use of text and writing
The team at Clos Mirabel has worked very closely with Sam Hunter to find the best local art and textile experiences in the region for you to experience. Off site experiences have been custom-created for this week and include trips to Pau, Bayonne, Salies de Béarn, Jurançon, Lourdes (optional), chateau’s, cathedrals, markets, and a very special tour of Tissage Moutet, a 5th generation weaving studio.
This project is suitable for ALL levels of skill, and no prior artistic experience is necessary. The course is limited to 12 participants.
Pricing is the total of:
The Embroidered Journey Tour Package: 795€ per person (paid to Atelier Clos Mirabel)
The Embroidered Journal Workshop Tutor’s Fee: $475 (paid to the Embroidered Journey) includes blank journal and other kit supplies to get you started on your travel journal!
Accommodation: 1895€ to 2995€ per week based on room choice & single or shared occupancy
What’s included (Tuition + Tour Package + Accommodation):
• 7 nights accommodation at Atelier Clos Mirabel or adjacent Chateau, in a room of your choosing (rates vary).
• Travel Journal Workshop with instructor Sam Hunter (20-25 hours of instruction and tour accompaniment)
• A custom, personalised kit of creative goodies for our sessions, including a journal and various art supplies
• A meet and greet service at Pau Airport (PUF) or Pau Train Station
• Access to the Atelier at Clos Mirabel throughout your stay, with ample time to create your journal
• Buffet breakfasts of local and regional produce
• 3 lunches at Clos Mirabel with accompanying wines
• Aperitifs before each dinner
• 7 four course dinners with accompanying wines at Clos Mirabel
• Excursions to Pau, Bayonne, and Salies de Béarn, with transportation and the services of an English-speaking guide (entrance fees to all scheduled activities included)
• Wine tasting
• A champagne reception before the farewell dinner
• Departure transfers to Pau Airport and Pau Train Station
Programme Outline:
Our time together will be balanced between the our creative textile project and day excursions to explore the local area. There is also ample time to relax and enjoy the beautiful manor house and grounds.
Saturday – Arrival Clos Mirabel Atelier
4.00 Welcome drinks upon arrival
Explore Clos Mirabel Manor, Park and Atelier
An introduction to the Travel Journal project and the schedule for the week
6.00 Apéritifs and introductions, followed by 4 course dinner
Sunday – Clos Mirabel Atelier
8.30 Buffet breakfast of local & regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Atelier: Introduction to journals and what we might capture in them, with a a look through Sam’s collection of journals from her last decade of travels
1.00 – 2.00 Light buffet lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Atelier: Create your first paper structure for your journal, an embedded envelope for collecting ephemera
6.00 Apéritifs followed by 4 course dinner Clos Mirabel
Monday – Bayonne, Pays Basque
8.30 Buffet breakfast of local & regional produce
AM Travel by coach to Bayonne, visit Bonnet-Heleu Fine Arts Museum*Own lunch at the indoor market*(we’ll give recommendations)
PM Guided tour in English
6.00 Apéritifs followed by 4 course dinner Clos Mirabel
Tuesday – Clos Mirabel Atelier
8.30 Buffet breakfast of local & regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Atelier: Working on journals
1.00 – 2.00 Light buffet lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Atelier – Working on journals, possible outdoor drawing session.
6.00 Apéritifs followed by 4 course dinner Clos Mirabel
Wednesday – Royal City of Pau
8.30 Buffet breakfast of local & regional produce
10.00 – 4.00 – Trip to Pau; Guided tour of Pau Chateau, time to explore the town, Cathedral, Place Royale.
Own lunch in town (we’ll give recommendations)
OPTIONAL: Afternoon in Lourdes (additional cost)
6.00 Apéritifs followed by 4 course dinner Clos Mirabel
Thursday – Market Day Salies de Béarn and private visit to Tissage Moutet Weavers
8.30 Buffet breakfast of local & regional produce
AM Travel by coach to Salies de Béarn – Market Day
Walking tour
Enjoy lunch (recommendations provided) and free time to browse.
PM Tissage Moutet Weavers – private tour
6.00 Apéritifs followed by 4 course dinner Clos Mirabel
Friday – Clos Mirabel Atelier
8.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Atelier – Working on our journals, demonstration on fold out maps and ways to create extra pages.
1.00 – 2.00 Light buffet lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Atelier – Working on journals
6.00 Evening exhibition and farewell champagne reception followed by 4 course dinner
Saturday
8.30 Buffet Breakfast and departure (Check-out time 11am)
