Painting in Provence: A seminar in Vision

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

Join the Leo Marchutz School of Painting & Drawing for a five-week interdisciplinary art program in Aix-en-Provence, France from June 21st through July 26th, 2025. 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, day trips to surrounding areas (coastal towns along the Mediterranean Sea and the nearby sites of Cézanne and Van Gogh). Additional optional activities include sessions in creative writing, French, peacebuilding and the arts, and museum studies, along with 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.

We are pleased to offer a special Scholarship for Teachers and Professors. See more below!

View a PDF program flyer here.

Details

Dates: June 21 - July 26, 2025

Location: Aix-en-Provence, France (with day trips to the Mediterranean Sea, Lac de la Bonde, Arles/Saint-Rémy)

Price: $6,950 | Deposit: $1,000 enrollment deposit due upon acceptance

Maximum Enrollment: 20 participants (first come, first served) | Deadline to Apply: May 1, 2025

Program Itinerary

Please note itinerary is subject to change.

Week 1

  • Arrival in Aix-en-Provence; Welcome dinner; Orientation; Introductions to Aix, the studio, supplies, each other

  • Drawing from Masterworks; Introduction to Seminar; Seminar #1

  • Creative Writing, French, and Museum Studies sessions

  • Excursion to the Mediterranean Coast

Week 2

  • Drawing from Masterworks; Introduction to Painting; Painting from Masterworks; Color Demonstration and Discussion; Seminar #2

  • Creative Writing, French, and Museum Studies sessions

  • Excursion to the Sites of Van Gogh: Arles and Saint-Remy

Week 3

  • Landscape Painting and Drawing in Beaurecueil at the base of the Mont Sainte-Victoire; Seminar #3

  • Creative Writing, French, and Peacebuilding and the Arts sessions

  • Excursion to Étang de la Bonde: lakeside painting and swimming

Week 4

  • Landscape Painting and Drawing in Beaurecueil at the base of the Mont Sainte-Victoire; Seminar #4

  • Creative Writing, French, and Peacebuilding and the Arts sessions

  • Excursion to the Sites of Cézanne: surrounding areas of Aix-en-Provence

Week 5

  • Landscape Painting and Drawing in Beaurecueil at the base of the Mont Sainte-Victoire; Drawing/Painting Critiques; Seminar #5

  • Creative Writing Critiques

  • Final Exhibition Vernissage

  • Farewell Picnic

  • 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

  • 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: $1,850

If this is of interest, please contact info@leomarchutzschool.org for more information.

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 by May 15, 2025. 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.

  • Click the link below to make your deposit payment. 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 before May 15, 2025 (exclusive), they will be refunded the full program fee (less the enrollment deposit).

  • If a participant cancels between May 15, 2025 and June 1, 2025 (inclusive), they will be refunded any recoverable fees (less the enrollment deposit).

  • If a participant cancels after June 1, 2025 (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 five-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.

Professional Development Scholarship for Teachers and Professors: Open to all K-12 art teachers as well as university/college professors, this special scholarship toward our five-week summer program is appropriate for teachers of all disciplines and backgrounds. Our five-week summer program will help give teachers and professors new perspectives on their own art practice, teaching methods, interdisciplinary learning, and ways of encouraging students to see. Selected participants will participate in all curricular activities, including painting, seminars, electives, and field studies. Scholarships given will range from $1,000-$3,500.

Questions?

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