Made in Italy
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Il Chiostro
241 W. 97th St., 13N
NY, NY 10025
800-990-3506
fax: 858-712-3329
Il
Chiostro - the name is hard to remember, difficult to pronounce
(the ch is hard like in Chianti and the o's are both long
like the word photo), but it's worth the effort.
In Italian "il chiostro" means the cloister, by definition a central square area within a monastery or convent, surrounded by arched walkways which is used for contemplation and seclusion from the outside world. For us, Il Chiostro is a metaphor. Take yourself away from your hectic, demanding life and place yourself in a beautiful, seductive environment that will give your spirit a chance to breathe.
We are Linda Mironti and Michael Mele, both Italian Americans, both with long backgrounds in the arts. Linda was a singer, then a chef, then a singer again. Michael a dancer/ choreographer turned fiction writer. In the spring of 1995 we created Il Chiostro to give our friends and families an inspirational place to work on their art while getting to know the magic of Italian culture.
Since that spring, Il Chiostro has grown on its own momentum to include participants from artists to accountants, from 20-somethings to 80-somethings, from America, Europe and Africa. In our arts workshops, participants have the chance to forget about being efficient for a week or two and to concentrate on being creative. Over the years we have offered workshops in Painting, Photography, Fiction Writing, Cooking, Singing, Acting, Poetry, Creativity, Yoga. Our groups are small and our instructors are passionate about art and about life.
Why Italy? Art, music, scenery, food, wine, the romantic language, friendly people, crafts, fashion,… There is a reason why Italy has inspired great artists for centuries, why the Renaissance started here, why opera and ballet were born here, why 60% of Western art is still here, why its cuisine is cherished around the world, why Italian is the language of love. There is an essence of Italy that is magic and seductive. Other places may have some of these characteristics, but Italy has them all. Our programs may take place with Tuscany or Venice or Rome or Sicily as the backdrop. Il Chiostro aims to show you an authentic Italy, not just dazzle you with highlights. We think that the good and simple life of Italy is an artwork in itself. We try to find interesting, non-traditional places to stay, like a convent or a farmhouse or a family-run winery. We don't hurry from one town to the next, we settle in at one place for the week. We dig our heels in and talk with the man who owns the grocery store. We shop for dinner at outdoor markets, eat newly harvested strawberries, drink fresh wine from a vintner's own cask. Linger over a cappuccino and watch the people come and go. Watch them watching you. Walk the dirt paths instead of pointing at them from the comfort of a tour bus. Then you'll slowly begin to understand what makes Italy so special.
Il Chiostro is this Italy. Then with the combination of good food, wine and working on a creative project with stimulating people in a sublimely beautiful setting, the deepest, most unexpected passions emerge. It happens time and again...
Alumni
Comments:
Thank
you for one of the most wonderful weeks I can think of…this is a
magical place and I can completely understand your passion.
Pernille, NY
I'm
so sorry to leave. I've been thrilled by so many things here…I have
feelings that I'm not able to describe or discuss - they are a part of
me now.
Justine, NY
To
my family! I believe that somehow we were all meant to come together here
among the cypress trees.
David, FL
Il
Chiostro is heaven on earth. You have touched my heart.
Laura, NY
A
stupendous setting for painting!!!
Joe, PA
I'll
remember the smells, tastes, sights and most of all the way my throat
hurt every night from laughing so hard!!
Lauri, PA
Italy
is an inspiration…this workshop has been the most profound writing
experience of my life!
Beverly, NY
My
whole being is more alive…and I leave behind a piece of my heart.
Bernadette, SC
The
beauty and serenity of Il Chiostro will always be in my heart. Thank you
for this wonderful retreat from the insanity of the world.
Mindi, NY
Summer
camp was never this good. I had a lot of learning experiences, and not
just in painting.
Carol, NY
Thank
you for an experience that fulfilled all the senses.
Pat, NY
I
just wanted to write and tell you how much I learned from Pam's class.
I knew she was going to be a good teacher, but I didn't expect the level
of passion and individual attention she gave to each student.
VL, IN
I am so happy to have discovered Il Chiostro. Being here has been just
like part of a family - only better.
Betty, NY
This
week couldn't have been more perfect in so many ways. It was just what
my soul needed.
Claudia, TN
I'm
sure many a tear has been shed on the eve of parting from this wonderful
place. This is certainly the case here. I will never forget how my soul
was filled with peace and love from everyone and the beautiful surroundings.
I have grown so much this past week - evident to everyone including myself.
I will never be the same. My eyes have been opened. My heart has been
touched and now my spirit can fly. What is experienced here can never
be captured by mere words or photographs. We who have had the opportunity
know its magic. Thank you both for fulfilling your dream and sharing it
with us.
Eli, NJ
Wow!
Betsy, NY
I
came here to work with words, but there are none I can find to express
what I found.
Gordon, CA
I'll
have seconds - hell, thirds of everything!
Jeanne, CA
Thank
you for making time stand still…
Nina, NY
I
laughed, I cried, I screamed for more. Run - don't walk to see this place!
Eric, CA
Linda Mironti
Michael Mele
Scene of Il Chiostro's
original - and existing - home in Tuscany,
photo by Linda Mironti
|
Made
in Italy
Open Media Exhibit |