Sculpting class Italy (Tuscany)

Carving alabaster

I am Hester Glasbergen, a professional sculptor in the Netherlands, and make sculptures of stone and bronze. I also give statuary- and modelling lessons at my studio in Ede.

This year, I am organizing again a sculpting class “Carving Alabaster” near Volterra, in the middle of Tuscany, Italy.

A long and impressive tradition of Alabaster art

The surroundings of Volterra, and this city in particular, are famous for its long and impressive tradition of over 2000 years of carving Alabaster stone.Because of this old tradition, during the sculpting class, we will work also with Alabaster, a soft and calcareous stone. The high lime content of the stone is easy to work. I guarantee you, when you’re beginning to carve, you can not stop working with the stone! It’s very addictive sculpting!

A guided tour on Sunday

During the week on sunday we will also visit also an quarry which has large chunks of alabaster stone. This quarry is in a beautiful wild area where Roberto, the Italian owner, will give us a tour and tell us a lot about the origin of alabaster, the different colours and texture.

At the start of the sculpture week, Roberto and Romano Bianchi will give you a very interesting tour of their working place of Volterra. Roberto and Romano are both Maestro d’ Alabastro. They make very beautiful Alabaster art, that is sold all around the world.

Sculpting class: The course

After this visit we have picked out some nice pieces of Alabaster stone from their laboratory for us to work with in the sculpting class.

The course is four days, from 09.00 am until 13.00 am, and is suitable for beginners and also more proficient sculptors. If you don’t have tools for sculpting, that’s no problem, you can buy a basic set.

On the fifth day you can work for yourselves or use this day for visiting the beautiful surroundings. After lunch you can take a relaxed trip to Volterra, Siena or St. Gimignano.

Enjoy your stay

On the first day of the week I will warmly welcome you with a dinner. There is not a problem if you wish to bring your partner and little children along. While you’re sculpting they can enjoy the beautiful surroundings, play a game or read books.

You will sleep in ancient ruins that were refurbished and converted into houses, each which have a kitchen and bathroom of their own.
You can enjoy tasty Italian food every day, the sun, the view of the rolling green hills and the beautiful fireflies that come out when it’s getting dark. Also enjoy the strong smell of the gorse and the roaring sounds of the deer that clash their antlers against each other.
Your very welcoming hosts, Roberto and his wife Jenny, will probably invite us during the week to have a dinner with their family at a long table.

Want to know more?

Want to see more? Visit my website: www.hesterglasbergen.nl for more information and photo’s or contact me: atelier@hesterglasbergen.nl