Artistic Escapes

Join Judith Brassard Brown, Stephanie Tao-Hsuan Chang, and
Celia Liberace on inspiring artistic journeys to extraordinary places.

For artists of all levels, discover new inspiration, deepen your artistry, and create unforgettable memories.

Our Next Adventure:

Viterbo, Italy

Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of Viterbo, where medieval streets, ancient stone architecture, golden light, and the surrounding Tuscia countryside offer endless inspiration.

A place to slow down, wander, sketch, paint, eat well, and experience an authentic side of Italy beyond the usual tourist path

Join Us in Viterbo

Spend an inspiring week painting, drawing, and exploring Viterbo’s medieval beauty.

Judith Brassard Brown and Stephanie Tao-Hsuan Chang will lead the workshop throughout the week, offering demonstrations, personalized instruction, individual feedback, and group critiques.

Special guest artist Celia Liberace will join us for 2–3 days, bringing her distinctive perspective to the experience.

We’ll explore plein-air and studio painting, portrait and figure studies, and travel sketching among Viterbo’s historic streets, beautiful architecture, and surrounding landscapes.

Workshop Organizer:

This workshop is organized and offered by Stephanie Chang Art LLC.

Meet Your Instructors

Judith Brassard Brown
Lead Instructor · Professor

Judith Brassard Brown is a Boston-based artist and professor at Montserrat College of Art, and her work has been exhibited extensively throughout the United States and Italy. Her paintings have been featured in solo and group exhibitions at museums and galleries including the Danforth Museum, Art Complex Museum, and HallSpace, as well as venues in Rome, Viterbo, and Trieste, Italy. Her work is represented by galleries in Boston and New England and is held in private and corporate collections in the U.S. and abroad. Her work has also been featured in publications including The Boston Globe, Art New England, and ArtScope.

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Stephanie Tao-Hsuan Chang
Lead Instructor

Stephanie Tao-Hsuan Chang is an award-winning artist and educator whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Her practice focuses on figurative, portrait, and landscape painting, rooted in the tradition of classical realism.

She holds a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art & Design and a Master of Teaching in Visual Arts from the University of the Arts. Her work has been featured in Artists Magazine and Pastel Journal, and recognized by the Portrait Society of America, Strokes of Genius, and the Art Renewal Center.

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Celia Liberace
Special Guest Artist

Celia Liberace is an East Coast and London-based artist whose work explores the human figure, mythology, the unconscious, ancestral wisdom, and the natural world. Classically trained, she creates intimate figurative works inspired by gesture, memory, symbolism, and the relationship between the body and the earth, drawing from her Irish, Italian, and Czech heritage.

Celia studied Fine Arts, history, and French at The Cooper Union in New York, as well as at L’École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and Accademia Vivarium Novum in Frascati, Italy. She exhibits and teaches internationally.

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About the workshop

This is a workshop designed to give you space to slow down, look closely, and enjoy the creative process. Work at your own pace, follow your curiosity, and develop your ideas with guidance from experienced artists. We'll offer demonstrations and individual instruction, plus plenty of time to wander, sketch, experiment, and see where your inspiration takes you.

Beyond the painting sessions, we’ll share the pleasures of traveling together—exploring charming towns, discovering historic sites, enjoying local food, and gathering inspiration along the way. With a small group of fellow artists, the week becomes a chance to make art, make connections, and experience Italy together.

Learn. Explore. Connect.

A week to slow down, be inspired, and enjoy the artist’s life in Italy.

Where to Stay in Viterbo

Make the most of your time in beautiful medieval Viterbo. If you're arranging your own accommodation, we recommend staying in or near Viterbo’s historic center, within walking distance of Piazza del Plebiscito, Piazza del Gesù, and San Pellegrino.

Prefer a more convenient option? Our shared and single-occupancy workshop packages include accommodation, so you can relax and enjoy the experience without arranging your own lodging.

Recommended Accommodations

For those booking independently, here are a few options to consider:

  • B&B A Piazza del Gesù — A charming historic B&B directly on Piazza del Gesù, with a garden and breakfast.

  • Palazzo Ubertini Urban Suites — An upscale, design-forward stay in a beautifully renovated historic palazzo near Piazza del Plebiscito.

  • B&B dei Papi Boutique Hotel — A special boutique option near the Palazzo dei Papi, in the heart of the medieval center.

  • Antica Dimora San Pellegrino — A distinctive medieval tower apartment with a kitchen, ideal for couples or companions traveling together.

Please check each property’s availability, amenities, and rates directly when booking.

Things to Do in the Area

Beyond the workshop, Viterbo and the surrounding Tuscia region offer medieval towns, Renaissance gardens, ancient history, and natural hot springs. If you have extra time, consider extending your stay to explore more of this beautiful part of Italy.

Explore Viterbo’s Historic Center
Wander the medieval lanes of San Pellegrino, visit the Papal Palace and Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and discover charming piazzas, fountains, and historic architecture.
Explore Viterbo

Relax in the Thermal Baths
Unwind in Viterbo’s famous thermal waters at Terme dei Papi, known for its expansive outdoor thermal pool and spa facilities.

Visit Villa Lante
Discover one of Italy’s most beautiful Renaissance gardens in nearby Bagnaia, with elegant terraces, fountains, sculptures, and carefully designed landscapes—a wonderful destination for artists.
Read traveler reviews of Villa Lante on TripAdvisor

Discover Civita di Bagnoregio
Perched dramatically on a hilltop and reached by a pedestrian bridge, this extraordinary village offers breathtaking views, winding lanes, and a memorable glimpse into the region’s past.
Explore Civita di Bagnoregio on TripAdvisor

Explore Bomarzo’s Sacred Grove
Encounter the fantastical stone sculptures and imaginative forms of the Renaissance-era Parco dei Mostri, also known as the Garden of the Monsters.
Visit the official Sacred Grove website

Discover Etruscan Heritage
Explore the ancient Etruscan civilization through archaeological sites, painted tombs, and museums in the wider region. The UNESCO-listed necropolis of Tarquinia is especially fascinating for its remarkable ancient tomb paintings.
Discover the Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia

Explore More

For additional ideas, reviews, and travel inspiration, browse TripAdvisor’s guide to things to do in Viterbo or Visit Lazio.

Ready to Join Us in Viterbo?

June 13–20, 2027

Come paint, explore, and experience Italy with us

Secure your place with a $500 deposit.