Painting in Provence: A seminar in Vision

An Interdisciplinary Program for Adults in Aix-en-Provence, France

Join the Leo Marchutz School of Painting & Drawing for a 12-week interdisciplinary art program in Aix-en-Provence, France during the fall and spring semesters (see specific dates below). Participants will immerse themselves in the daily practice of painting and drawing in both the studio and the landscape of the south of France and will participate in weekly discussion-based seminars, creative writing classes, and French sessions. Additional complementary activities include day trips to surrounding areas, a week-long painting trip to Venice, Italy / a week-long museum trip to Paris, and additional cultural and academic opportunities. This interdisciplinary program is designed to connect all activities into one collaborative process to help students see more into the world and into themselves.

This program is suitable for adults aged 18 and older. No prior experience in art or French is required; all courses are taught in English. Scholarships are available.

Details

Upcoming Sessions:

  • Spring 2025: February 2 - May 1, 2025

  • Fall 2025: September 20 - December 17, 2025

Location: Aix-en-Provence, France (with day trips to surrounding areas and a week-long painting trip to Venice, Italy or week-long museum trip to Paris)

Price: $13,750 | Deposit: $1,000 enrollment deposit due at time of registration

Maximum Enrollment: 15 participants (first come, first served)

Application Deadlines

  • For Spring: November 1st

  • For Fall: June 1st

Sample Program Itinerary

Week 1: Arrival, Orientation, Welcome dinner, Drawing from masterworks, French and Creative Writing sessions, Aesthetics and Art History seminar

Week 2: Painting Copies of Masterworks, French and Creative Writing sessions, Aesthetics and Art History seminar, Vaucluse Architecture Field Study

Week 3-4: Drawing/Painting Portraits, French and Creative Writing sessions, Aesthetics and Art History seminar, Creative Writing Field Study, Van Gogh Field Study

Week 5-6: Drawing/Painting Still Life, French and Creative Writing sessions, Aesthetics and Art History seminar, Midterm exams, Cézanne Field Study

Week 7-9: Drawing/Painting Landscape, French and Creative Writing sessions, Aesthetics and Art History seminar, Week-long Venice Painting Trip or Week-long Paris Museum Trip

Week 10-11: Drawing/Painting Landscape, French and Creative Writing sessions, Aesthetics and Art History seminar, Student Vacation/Break, French Field Study

Week 12: Drawing/Painting Landscape, French and Creative Writing sessions, Aesthetics and Art History seminar, Final exams, Final critiques, Final exhibition, Departure

Inclusions

  • Art supplies - includes: easel, palette, oil paints in a range of colors, brushes, palette knife, oil, spirit (for cleaning), paper towels, rags, apron, backpack (for carrying supplies into the landscape), sketchbook, pencils, eraser, and painting surfaces (gessoed board). Participants are invited to keep their paints, brushes, palette knife, oil, spirit, sketchbook, pencils, and erasers at the end of the program. The easel, palette, backpack, and apron will be returned to the Leo Marchutz School.

  • All necessary reading materials

  • Comprehensive travel/health insurance

  • Airport/train station meeting and transportation upon arrival

  • Individualized guidance and instruction in all courses by qualified professors

  • Transportation and shared hotel lodging in Venice, Italy for the week-long painting trip

  • Escorted sightseeing, transportation, and entrance fees for all included visits

  • Taxes, service, and porterage charges; gratuities to all drivers and guides

  • Certain meals as indicated on the itinerary

Not Included in Program Price: International airfare; lodging in Aix-en-Provence (available by request for an additional fee, see below); passport/visa fees; breakfast, lunches, dinners not specified on itinerary; personal items and expenses; additional art supplies not listed above; transportation outside of program itinerary; excess baggage; airport transfer on departure day; any other items not specifically mentioned as included. 

Lodging: The Leo Marchutz School is happy to place students in housing for an additional fee, as follows:

  • Homestay with daily breakfast and dinner: $4,500

Applicants will indicate interest in homestay housing on the application form, below.


Application Instructions

Simply complete the application form below to apply for the program. You will then hear from the Leo Marchutz School with a decision about your application within several weeks. Please note that your spot will only be guaranteed once we have received the $1,000 enrollment deposit payment.

Payment

A non-refundable $1,000 enrollment deposit is due upon a participant’s acceptance into the program in order to secure your spot. This deposit is deducted from the final invoice – it is not an additional fee. The balance of the program fee will be due in full 30 days prior to the program start date. Payment may be made by check, bank transfer, or online payment (credit card processing fee may apply). Once you have filled out the registration form, please make your deposit payment using one of the below options. Once the deposit payment has been received, your registration will be considered final.

  • Pay online using the following links, according to the payment you would like to make. Please note that a credit card transaction fee will be added to all online payments.

    Each participant will need to need to pay online individually.

    Please consider adding a donation in any amount to support scholarships for this program. Make a donation by visiting www.leomarchutzschool.org/support and mark your donation clearly for scholarships.

  • Checks should be made out to the Leo Marchutz School of Painting & Drawing, Inc. and mailed according to one of the following addresses, depending on the mailing method:

    USPS
    Leo Marchutz School of Painting & Drawing
    PO Box 13087
    Portland, OR 97213

    UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.
    Leo Marchutz School of Painting & Drawing
    2425 NE 50th Ave, #13087
    Portland, OR 97213

    Please consider adding a donation in any amount to your payment by check to support scholarships for this program. Simply add your chosen gift to the check amount. The gift will be fully tax-deductible. We will send you a letter acknowledging the donation for tax purposes.

  • Please provide the following information to your financial institution. You will also need to provide the school’s account and routing number, which can be requested by emailing info@leomarchutzschool.org.

    Evolve Bank & Trust
    6070 Poplar Ave, Suite 200
    Memphis, TN 38119

    Account Name: Leo Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing, Inc.

    Please consider adding a donation in any amount to your payment by bank transfer to support scholarships for this program. Simply add your chosen gift to the transfer amount. The gift will be fully tax-deductible. We will send you a letter acknowledging the donation for tax purposes.

Refund Policy

General Workshop Refund Policy

  • If a participant cancels 30 days prior to program start date (exclusive), they will be refunded the full program fee (less the enrollment deposit).

  • If a participant cancels between 30 days and 15 days prior to program start dates (inclusive), they will be refunded any recoverable fees (less the enrollment deposit).

  • If a participant cancels fewer than 15 days prior to program start date (exclusive), no refund will be given.

A Note About Participation

All participants are expected to participate fully in all scheduled aspects of the program. The 12-week program is conceived of as a whole, with each planned session and activity — and each member of the group — contributing to the group dynamic and the outcomes of the program. Attendance is a fundamental feature of any educational program that serves both the individual's progressive learning arc and the health of the whole group. We will ask each participant to pledge their full participation ahead of the program. Absolutely no refunds will be given for a student's lack of participation in the program.

Application

Please complete the below form to apply for the program. Once your form is complete, you can expect to hear back shortly from the Leo Marchutz School.

The Leo Marchutz School does not discriminate in any way on the basis of race, color, age, background, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or national or ethnic origin, and admits students/participants of any race, color, age, background, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or national or ethnic origin.

Scholarships

We would like to make this program accessible to all who would like to participate, and so are dedicated to giving as much scholarship money as we can. Please click the button below to apply for scholarship funds.

Questions?

Please reach out to us at info@leomarchutzschool.org with any questions regarding this program. We look forward to hearing from you!