​​Day 1 – Tuesday, Sept 23

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UPON ARRIVAL   

 

Settle into your room. Relax in the Chateau and park; meet the friendly animals.  Learn the story of the chateau beginning in the 12th Century, how it’s evolved over hundreds of years, and its historical context.

 

Brunch

 

AFTERNOON 

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NOTE: Workshop Participants will have been given an outline of pre-arrival preparation and reading.

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Welcome and Introductions

Meet your fellow participants, hosts, and workshop leader. We'll review the itinerary, answer questions, and explore collaged accordion and altered books. Tanya will introduce the idea of “no masterpieces” and the value of small failures in the creative process.

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Finding Ideas

We will discuss finding themes and conceptualizing books as art. Students can share favorite examples of altered books, accordion books, and collage techniques. We'll analyze design elements to understand what makes each piece effective.

                         

EVENING 

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Dinner in the Chateau dining room.

Chateau dinners are typically multi-course meals with flavors of the region combined with ‘California Cuisine’, prepared by the chateau’s own master chef, Malana Moberg and visiting chef Kirk Brooks.​

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Individual Meetings with Workshop Leader

Each participant will meet briefly with Tanya to discuss their book ideas and materials to collect during excursions. These conversations will give students a starting point and help Tanya tailor future sessions to their needs.

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Day 2 – Wednesday, Sept 24

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MORNING

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Breakfast at the Chateau.
Breakfasts at the chateau, served in the dining room, are sumptuous. They typically include fresh eggs from our hens, local produce and fresh fruit served in a buffet with pastries and beverages of your choice.

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AFTER BREAKFAST 

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Altered Book Techniques. We'll experiment with various methods to alter discarded books. If you're ready, start your own! In the atelier, we'll do an exercise to encourage a playful approach to bookmaking, freeing you from perfectionism and nurturing creativity. Tanya will assist anyone ready to begin.​

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LUNCH​

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 AFTERNOON

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Excursion: Sourcing materials and exploring brocantes and vide greniers.  A brocante in Aveyron is a treasure hunter’s dream—one of the few places in France where second-hand shops and flea markets still feel like stepping into an untouched time capsule. Unlike in more tourist-heavy regions, where antique dealers and collectors have long since combed through every item of interest, Aveyron’s brocantes and vide-greniers (flea markets) remain refreshingly unpicked.

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Collage techniques. Hands on practice with basic collage techniques and design principles. We will collage a folding book

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 EVENING

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Dinner at the Chateau

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Day 3 – Thursday, Sept 25

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MORNING

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Breakfast Snack at the Chateau

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NOTE: Participants may skip any teaching session or excursion to focus on their books. Tanya will offer support as needed. The atelier studio will be open all day and evening for workspace access.

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Book Making Session. Tanya will teach and demonstrate techniques the group has requested and give individual consultations as participants work on their books.

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Visit Pruines.

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Lunch at Chez Chantal. Chez Chantal is a 3rd generation restaurant run by the women in the family.  Everything is freshly made and served family style.  Eating “Chez Chantal” is a culinary and cultural experience not to be missed.

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AFTER LUNCH

 

Visit Conques. For centuries, Conques has been an important way station for pilgrims along the Chemin de St. Jacques or Saint James Way. We’ll take a guided tour of the ancient village and its abbey church.

 

Return to Balsac

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EVENING

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Use this time to work on your project, reflect on your discoveries, and explore new book ideas. Tanya will be in the atelier for consultations, offering guidance to those seeking direction.

 

Dinner at the Chateau

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Day 4 – Friday, Sept 26

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MORNING

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Breakfast at the Chateau

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AFTER BREAKFAST 

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Visit Rodez – outdoor vide grenier and other sites in the old town (cathedral, museums, etc)

 

Lunch in Rodez (Bras Café)

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AFTERNOON

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Visit the Soulages Museum; guided tour

 

Return to the Chateau

 

Continue working independently on your book ideas. Tanya will assist as needed, helping with techniques and consulting on approaches.

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EVENING​

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Feedback Session. For any participants who desire feedback, we will have a group discussion about your plans for finishing your creation. This is a  supportive space to share your work and get feedback from the group and Tanya. Tanya will be available in the atelier/studio before and after dinner for consultations.

 

Dinner at the Chateau

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Day 5 – Saturday, Sept 27

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MORNING 

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Breakfast at the Chateau

 

Teaching session on techniques requested by participants, if any, followed by continued project work.  Individual consultations with Tanya. Complete your book or put it aside to complete it at home and start a new one with the help of the instructor.

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Visit Peyrusse-Le-Roc

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Picnic lunch

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AFTER LUNCH

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Brocante Visit

 

Hike around this ancient historic village.

 

Return to the Chateau

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LATE AFTERNOON

 

Teaching-Working session with Tanya in the atelier. Individual consultations with Tanya as needed. Final consultations on projects, discussion on how to know when an art piece is finished. Complete your book or put it aside to complete it at home and start a new one with the help of the instructor.  Read a handout on finishing methods, including protecting your artwork once it is complete.

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EVENING

 

Dinner at the Chateau

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Day 6 – Sunday, Sept 28

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MORNING 

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Breakfast at the Chateau

 

Final Working Session. 

Participants may choose to present their works in progress. We will discuss how to complete unfinished projects at home and brainstorm ideas for new work to start on your own.

 

Pack up your projects for travel, along with any materials you want to take home.

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AFTERNOON

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Brunch at the Chateau 

 

Depart

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