Sketching Sicily

Drawing Our Way thru an Ancient Island with Christina and Lisa

May 14 – May 24, 2027

Join Christina Wald and I in Sicily in May 2027 for a great adventure into one of the most beautiful areas of Italy and one that is sure to result in your own overflowing sketchbook of memories, sights and impressions.

Yes, Christina will be leading a 10 day/10 night sketching workshop across Sicily, an island of extraordinary history, natural phenomena, art and architecture, and (oh yes!) food!

“WHAT?”  you say…“SIGN ME UP! I’M GOING!” Click here to register.

Our group had such fun with Christina in Tuscany that I could not WAIT to invite her to Sicily. So, following her Tuscan group, she and I took a jaunt through Sicily together to see for ourselves what would provide the most enjoyable and educational locations for artists. It was hard to choose, but I believe we have selected the best of the best. This sketching workshop will offer a wide range of locations, attractions and experiences to appeal to everyone along with Christina’s excellent instruction and mentorship.

Sicily is unlike mainland Italy. It has a vibe that is livelier and more laid back while still offering beautiful architecture and charming small cities to inspire your creativity. The island offers cultural diversity and a history that encompasses ancient Greek, Arab, Norman and late Baroque influences sure to keep you enthralled and busy recording these elements in your sketchbooks.

Our itinerary will be a full one but will also allow for some relaxation and down time. As always, we keep the groups on the smaller side (less than 12) to allow for maximum direct interaction with Christina while providing you some free time to sketch on your own or enjoy a quiet stroll through the lovely villages. We will be using modern hotel-style accommodations in Sicily that will include breakfasts.

We will connect in Catania at the international airport on Friday May 14th at midday for transport as a group via van to our first accommodation location in the area of Randazzo, about an hour and a quarter away. (Flight recommendations will be provided in your registration and information packets once you are registered.)

From Randazzo we will day trip over the next 5 days to Messina, Taormina, Etna (the famous volcano) and the surrounding Eastern side of the island. Each of these cities offers unique experiences. The Astronomical Clock of Messina’s Cathedral is a masterpiece of engineering, art and symbolism and is one of the most complex systems of automata and astronomical dials in the world. In Taormina, in addition to the incredible panoramic views, we will visit the ancient Greek and Roman theatre, as well as the lovely public gardens. We will also journey a bit further north to take in the Rocca di Cerere or the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Rock. Rising over 900 meters above sea level, it offers spectacular views stretching as far as Mount Etna and the valleys below. The Rocca di Cerere holds immense historical value, as it was once home to an ancient sanctuary dedicated to Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture and fertility, known as Ceres in Roman mythology. Historical sources, including Cicero’s writings, mention the presence of grand statues of Demeter and Triptolemus, her devoted follower.

And then there is Etna. She is still an active volcano, as I am sure Christina will attest to for your benefit. There are several ways to experience l’Etna (as she is called in Italian), from riding the enclosed funicular to hiking to driving your own 4×4 (with a guide along of course). How we decide to approach her will depend on the composition of our group and will be decided a bit into our workshop. But l’Etna is also known for her fertile and famous vineyards, which no doubt we MUST include for a tasting while in the area.

As we head southeast in the van we will change our accommodations to allow us to visit one of the most interesting places ever: Siracusa and its companion island of Ortigia. Siracusa is a small town with big cultural charm. It’s a very walkable city with interesting things to see and sketch at every corner. It is an ancient Greek city, founded by the Greeks in the 5th century BC and it rivaled Athens in size. It is packed with archaeological treasures, some Greek, some Roman, and because of this, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ortigia (you may also see it spelled Ortygia) is a small island just off the coast of Syracuse. This is the old town and it feels like stepping into another era, with narrow alleyways, lively piazzas, sea views, and some of the best food you’ll eat in Sicily. I expect we will have a boat excursion here…it was definitely a highlight for Christina and I. We even had a passenger jump overboard to take a quick swim!

Because there is SO much to see and experience in these 2 companion towns, I am expecting that we will spend 2 days here so we can take in the Roman and Greek ruins, the seafront promenade, the Neapolis Archaeological Park (again 5th c. BC), the catacombs and the Fountain of Arethusa, not forgetting that we need to stop and savor the local fare at some point.

Lucky for you we have scheduled this workshop to include the renowned Noto Flower festival, a once-a-year event that transforms the streets of Noto with vibrant patterns and designs constructed entirely of flower petals. The colors and craftsmanship will take your breath away when you consider that these are gigantic works of art created in a very short time before the festival and which will quickly fade afterwards. It is a labor of love and commitment by the residents of Noto. Make sure your cell camera is charged up!

From Noto, we will head in the direction of Ragusa, known for its olive oil and Ibleo public garden. We’ll also visit Modica and Caltagirone, 2 very distinct cities with interesting and delicious offerings. Modica is well-known for its chocolate and Caltagirone for its ceramics. (We hope to have a surprise there for you!)

Last on our adventure is Agrigento, the Valley of Kings. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes a number of well-preserved Greek temples and is a great place for sketching and photographing. It is also easily walkable, being mostly level.

The following morning, we will depart early and head back to Catania for flights out.

This is a rough outline of our planned 10 days. Click here for more details about the workshop. Click here to go directly to registration. (Remember, these workshops are kept small; dont miss your chance to reserve your spot.)

Click here to go to Christina’s website.

Sketchbook photos and Sicily map courtesy of Cristina Wald.