The Verrocchio Arts Center , in the beautiful hill top village of Casole d'Elsa, Tuscany, Italy, offers art courses, painting holidays, sculpture courses, school trips at certain times, studios and accommodation . The  one or two week courses run from May till October and are open to students of all ages, levels of experience and ability. The owner and founder of the art school, Nigel Konstam runs sculpture courses in his own studio, and offers regular lectures on the fascinating wealth of art and art history of the region of Tuscany. Painting courses (including watercolour, oil painting, Plein Air painting, drawing and landscape painting) are run by visiting tutors whose energy, enthusiasm and skill create a good learning environment in which students can gain confidence and make real progress. The premises are available to tutor led groups, school groups, music or dance groups. Italian language lessons can sometimes be arranged.

A word from Nigel Konstam - Founder of the Art Centre

As I sit on the terrace where the vines and climbing shrubs are putting out new growth along the pergola I can look across the valley to the beautiful hills of Chianti and truly feel that the Arts Centre is a dream come true. Not only I who live here but many of our visitors describe it as 'Utopia'.

As a place to live and work Casole is very close to the ideal. Near enough to the bright lights of Siena and Florence but basking in a rural peacefulness and contentment, it seems to belong to another age. Casole can be lively enough on Festa days, particularly on the second Sunday in July when we hold our own Palio (like Siena, but jollier). Tea dances and discos alternate for the rest of the month in the castle grounds, and the village joins to celebrate on various occasions throughout the year with processions, bands, open air suppers or singing and dancing in the streets.  Last year I started a diary to give you a flavour of what goes on throughout the year.

The Arts Centre itself attracts students from all over the world and is a congenial meeting ground where people with like interests can gain inspiration from the lovely surroundings, from the teaching and from each other. Read what students have said about the place.

I myself find the place wonderfully stimulating. The first piece of sculpture I made here I call 'the Magician of Casole'. I hope you can come and experience the magic for yourself.