Next fall, easels, pochade boxes and artists focusing on la bella vista will be popping up in the hills and historic centers of Morcone, Casalduni and Pontelandolfo. An En Plein Air workshop, organized by artist Steve Duprey and Midge Guerrera (that’s me) of Literally Italy LLC, is scheduled for September 2026. (And you thought Cooking in the Kitchens of Pontelandolfo was all I was up to.) Steve’s enthusiasm for the Sannio Hills and his expertise as an artist was all it took for this new cultural initiative to percolate here.
Eight artists will have the opportunity to leave the four walls of their studios behind and paint the landscape, streetscapes and people of small southern Italian villages. On this blog, you’ve seen photos of our little piece of Italy and can imagine the paintings that this group will create. Some of the sites to be visited include Roman ruins, vineyard, olive groves, farms and medieval village centers. Steve particularly wanted us to take painters to Morcone’s hill top historic center. The group will be shuttled in Api Cars converted to navette – mini shuttle buses -to the tippy top of historic Morcone. That in itself is a cultural experience. The vista of the valley is amazing.
According to our delightful local organizer, Annarita, Pontelandolfo’s traditional folk dance troupe will have members in historic costumes living life in the village’s historic center. If an artist falls in love with the setting and wanted to place a person in the painting, they have models available.
Participants will share large double rooms in La Locanda della Presuntuosa. I love this villa. Last October our playwright’s retreat used the space and participants really enjoyed it.
Located in Pontelandolfo, the property is in a wonderful park filled with olive groves, orchard, pond, swimming pool, tennis court and woodland trails.
Here is the basic Retreat information: (Check out Seve’s Overview )
September 4 – 13, 2026 Limited to 8 Participants
- Transportation from the Benevento Train Station to Pontelandolfo
- 10 nights in villa La Locanda della Presuntuosa near the historic center of Pontelandolfo.
- Most meals are included, either out or cooked by our host/cook. Vegetarians can
be accommodated. - Arrival Day Bar Crawl will help you know the town and give the locals the chance
to meet you. - Locally Sourced Food Lunch at Agriturismo Borgo Cerquelle
- English Speaking Translator for all Italian centered events.
- Wine and artesian food tasting at a local vintner.
- Optional: Sharing a meal with a local family in their home. (Additional fee of €30)
- Excursion to Altilia Roman Ruins http://www.sepino-altilia.it/
- Expedition to interesting visual sites. (Steve posted tons of photos that will give you and idea of what you will see.)
- Outing to Benevento – museums of your choice, Arco di Triano, Hortus Conclusus
- Transportation to all painting sites and events.
- Outing to Benevento – museums of your choice, Arco di Triano, Hortus Conclusus
- Optional Excursion to Reggio Caserta tickets are currently €15
- An exhibition of work created with local buyers in attendance.
- Occasional evening critique sessions with your fellow artists
WANT TO RESERVE A PLACE? HAVE QUESTIONS? CONTACT STEVE DUPREY AT dupreyart123@gmail.com.
I am so excited about this project! Hope to see you paint brush in hand.
We want to share the Sannio Hills with you.
Knitting? Writing? Weaving? Music? Dance? Folk Arts?
Have an idea for a retreat or workshop?
Let me know.
We can put our creative hats on and work with you.
Ci vediamo prossima volta!
Midge
Nonna's Mulberry Tree 
Ah, blissful! Best of luck with it!
Rosemary McLaughlin Professor, Playwright Drew University, Department of Theatre & Dance Playwrights Circle @ Speranza Theater @RosemaryMcL She/Her/Hers
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Looks like a fun way to unleash one’s inner painter and, knowing the organizer, I suspect there will be a fun pub crawl or two
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