Discover and express your authenticity!
Indulge in a week of creativity, self-expression, and personal growth in the mountains of Tuscany! Our art retreat for adults invites you to immerse yourself in a serene environment that will nourish your soul and awaken your inner artist. Whether you’re a seasoned creative or someone who’s never picked up a paintbrush, the Crazy Art Camp is a supportive and inspiring space to explore your creativity and unleash your imagination. Also as a muse you can be co-creating whilst learning about your self-image and your representation. Join us for a transformative experience that will leave you feeling refreshed, empowered, and connected to your artistic spirit!

An inspiring medieval village nearby

Break away from your routines and your frequent social environment.
Cut the cables!
Imagine yourself in a faraway place
in magical nature.
Lose control & find yourself.
Enjoy being who you really are.
Share this special and heartful experience
with a nice group,
people of all ages and nationalities.
Welcome to the world of CrazyCamp.org!

Crazy Art Camp

experience
Crazy Art Camp

date
September 9 till 15, 2023

open for ages
18 - 81

location
Tuscany, Italy

accomodation
well-equipped mountain hut

comfort

personal privacy

group fun

target # of participants
12

mountains

water

culture

unforgettability

participation fee
from EUR 599

status
CANCELLED
 
Needs 6 confirmed participants by July 14, 2023

 
vegetarian logo

environmental footprint
moderate

Inspired by nature and by your peers, you will amaze yourself!

This event was cancelled because of to few people signing up. So you can not sign up for this event anymore.

The Crazy Art Camp is about art, about nature, about community. It is a celebration of the beauty of human diversity. We will create art individually and together. We do it for the fun of it, as personal expression, and as a vehicle for personal development. Artists, wannabe-artists, muses, non-artists that want to get their creative juices (that we all have, right?) flowing.

Our home base will be a mountain hut just for our group at an altitude of 900 m. We will be in a rather isolated place. Our stone house and the huge garden around it are by itself already a very inspiring place. On top of that, we will be making some hikes in the photogenic mountain landscapes. In the evening we will do playful and meaningful group activities. We'll cook and eat together, enjoy the swimming pool under the moon and the stars, etc. The Crazy Art Camp will be an empowering adventure!
On a couple of days, we will leave the premises of our retreat, to find inspiration in our marvelous surroundings. And also to find backdrops for photoshoots, for example.

Sometimes this will be through hiking directly from our accommodation. Hikes can be a couple of hours long and might take us to mountain tops, caves, stone arched bridges, cemeteries, semi-abandoned villages, streams and rock formations.

We will also make some day trips by car. This will probably mean that, besides Klaas, one more participant will have to volunteer to drive. Top goal for a day trip is one or more of the abandoned marble quarries high in the mountains. These quarries have their own, very dramatic aesthetics and are unique to this region. They will give a very special boost to our creativity.

Another day trip might bring us to an abandoned church in an open spot in the forest.

a woman leaning against a huge cube of marble
 
This photo was made during a previous edition of the Crazy Art Camp, in one of the marble quarries that we will visit

Our retreat is nestled in a serene and secluded valley, high above a tiny village. Located at an altitude of 900 m it provides an idyllic escape. The mountains around it are not a lot higher. The charming converted farm offers a perfect blend of comfort and simplicity. Surrounded by vast forests and towering rock walls, the retreat is a nature-lover's paradise. The hamlets in the valley, with their stone houses, exude a sense of history and mystery, making for a truly enchanting experience. With no tourism in the area, the Crazy Art Camp offers a genuine and authentic experience, inspiring us in an unprecedented way.
Our converted farm actually consists of two buildings. It will depend on our group size if we will use them both. If we use only one, the other one will be empty. Each building has a kitchen, a shower and a toilet. The bedding arrangement is diverse: there are double beds, bunk beds and convertible sofas. Where you will sleep, depends on a lottery (faq). No smoking in the house. In and around the house clothing is optional (faq). The location is awesome, on the hillside with a huge garden with a... swimming pool!
We are in the western part of Tuscany (Italy), north of Lucca. As we are in a very rural place, it's not super easy to reach. You will probably take a high speed train to Pisa* or Florence*, then a regional train to a village north of Lucca, then one or two local buses. Travel time 1,5 hours from Lucca; 2 hours from Pisa. From the nearest bus stop, it's a one hour hike to our paradise.The other option is to offer or join a ride-share, for example through blablacar or with other Crazy Art Camp participants (faq). Your art material can be picked up at Lucca train station, so that you don't have to carry it in more trains and buses.

Italy is a member of the Schengen agreement. If you can travel in any other Schengen country, you can travel in Italy.
* both these cities have an international airport, but flying is not as ecological as train travel.

Our huts, garden and swimming pool
What we create, doesn't have to be Art with a capital A. We're interested in the process, rather than the end product. What we create, will depend largely of how the group is composed. The idea is that everybody has the possibility to do their own thing by themself, but also that we will create together. Finding inspiration together, being inspired by each other.

Co-creation can be as simple as: today I pose for your drawing, tomorrow you pose for my photography. It can also be, for example, that two or three people work out a performance together, that will be recorded on video on the last day.

As for techniques, anything that is technically possible goes; think of photography, drawing, painting, writing, mime, video, theatre, bodypaint, music, dance, etc. You will have to bring your own equipment, nothing is provided.

If wanted or needed, we will set a theme for the day or provide some guidance in another way.

Please notice that there are no teachers. Of course, it's awesome if you can share your own experience and skills with the others. But that is not a condition. And if you have no experience or skills, you still can join :)
Creating art can have numerous benefits, regardless of whether you are a professional or an amateur. For many, the act of creating art is a fun and enjoyable activity that provides a sense of relaxation and stress relief. Engaging in art can be an excellent way to unwind and focus on something that brings joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Besides that, the creation of art, and the existence of art, don't need to be justified. And it doesn't even need to be called art :) At the Crazy Art Camp, it's all about how you can benefit from being creative.
For those who are looking for a means of personal expression, creating art can be an excellent outlet. Whether it is through painting, drawing, photography, or any other medium, art provides an opportunity to express oneself in a way that goes beyond our communication in daily life. Art can be a way to express emotions, thoughts, and feelings . It can also be a way to explore one's identity and personal values.
Creating art can be a transformative experience, providing an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. Art can help us to connect with our innermost selves and explore our deepest desires and fears. Art can be a powerful tool for healing and self-expression, allowing us to process difficult emotions and gain a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Through the act of creating art, we can gain a deeper appreciation for our own unique perspective and voice. Whether we are writing poetry or prose, creating a dance, doing a photoshoot or making land-art; the act of transforming our thoughts and feelings into art can be incredibly empowering. It can help us to uncover new insights about ourselves and the world, and connect with others who share our experiences and interests.

Ultimately, creating art is a powerful means of personal development that can help us to live more fully and authentically. It can help us to connect with our creativity and intuition, and cultivate a greater sense of purpose and meaning in our lives. Whether we are beginners or experienced artists, there is always something to learn and explore, making the journey of creating art a rich and rewarding one.

Artistic photo made at a previous Crazy Art Camp

Then the Crazy Art Camp is the place for you! You will find lots of inspiration, and it will inspire others to see you at work. Our own corner of paradise, the unique surroundings, the group: everything is there to make that you will feel that it was the right decision to join, and you will cherish the experience.
Then the Crazy Art Camp is the place for you! It's not about the title that you give yourself. It is about the creative process and the benefits that it brings to you. You will find lots of inspiration! Our own corner of paradise, the unique surroundings, the group: everything is there to make that you will feel that it was the right decision to join, and you will cherish the experience.
Then the Crazy Art Camp is the place for you! The others in the group will welcome your presence and will love to co-create with you, be it in photography, drawing, video or others. Or maybe the writer or choreographer in the group will be inspired by the anecdotes from your life that you might share with them. Our own corner of paradise, the unique surroundings, the group: everything is there to make you will feel that it was the right decision to join, and you will cherish the experience.
Then the Crazy Art Camp might still be the place for you! If you come with the intention to do an effort to discover the creativity that is hidden in you, then you will find a lot of inspiration and not a lot of pressure :) Plus, there will be opportunity to co-create, maybe be part of a performance, or pose for drawing or photography, etc. If needed, the organiser or other group members can give you some ideas and guidance.

Our own corner of paradise, the unique surroundings, the group: everything is there to make that you will embody that indeed you have creativity inside of you, and you will cherish the experience.
Please notice that there is no 'leadership team' or 'staff' at the Crazy Art Camp. Klaas (and volunteers, should there be any) will participate in the Crazy Art Camp activities (and in the art creation – if you're curious, check out Klaas' photography portfolio website) just like the other participants. At best they are 'primi inter pares'. We're all in it together :) (faq)

Image of our accommodation and swimming pool in the mountains

Cooking will be done by the group for the group; no à la carte service :) Because we are high in the mountains, our resources are limited, and we'll all have to be flexible. If you are very precise/specific with your food, then this is not the right experience for you, sorry. Read Details About Diets And Restrictions1. Gluten: Usually meals are low on gluten but if you have a hard core allergy, you're not safe. At breakfast, there is oatmeal as an option. 2. Nuts: Can usually be left out of meals/served apart, but if you have a hard core allergy, you're not safe. 3. Sugar/Diabetes: Usually things are without sugar. However, you will not be able to follow that precisely engineered menu that your dietician wants you to follow.
The provided food is plant-based. Read Food DetailsThe provided food is plant-based. It is OK if you bring dairy products yourself but no meat/chicken/fish/seafood please.
The provided drinks are non-alcoholic. Read Alcohol DetailsThe provided drinks are non-alcoholic. However it is OK if you bring some wine to share (but no strong drinks) or have a beer on a terrace during the day. Just don't be drunk and annoying.
If you are a couple, please understand that in the Crazy Art Camp, you cannot behave like a couple. In general, the beds are allocated through a lottery (faq). And you are expected to participate in all activities and group life as individuals and not as a couple. Yes, you will be hugging – in the numerous group hugs! So be prepared to sit each at opposite sides of the table during dinner, and accept that someone other than yourself might be giving your partner a massage of the sour muscles.

The deal

Your participation in the cost for these 7 days / 6 nights is (depending on your situation) between EUR 599 and EUR 699 per person for accommodation and food (that we will cook together).
What is included/provided?
+ Accommodation
+ Breakfast
+ Simple lunch (sandwiches, leftovers of yesterday's dinner)
+ Dinner (we will cook together)
+ Coffee, tea, water, juice
+ Some guidance in creative processes
+ Transport of your artist material from/to Lucca train station
+ Fun and meaningful experiences
x Snacks, fruit, energy bars, soft drinks etc.
x Artist materials
x Towels
If you feel that the Crazy Art Camp is really the right experience for you, and you are seriously struggling with the participation fee: please reach out to me. Because I wouldn't want that money issues would stop you from participating. There are, for example, possibilities for volunteering.

A marble quarry that we will visit

The environmental footprint of this Crazy Art Camp is moderate.
  • We are in a rural area without touristic infrastructure
  • Our accommodation was originally a farm and was not build for tourism
  • As we live in community, things like cooking are done more efficiently than when we're at home
  • We will be using cars for our excursions
  • The provided food is entirely plant based. The livestock industry is one of the biggest contributors to climate change and destruction of nature. By sticking to plant based nutrition, we do our taste buds and our health a favour - and we do Planet Earth as a whole a favour. Check this link for more info.
  • The easiest way to reduce the environmental impact of your participation is by choosing your means of transport. Come by train, or join a ride share with other participants or through blablacar or similar web sites or groups. Avoid flying. Avoid driving alone. The network of night trains in Europe is growing and growing, a great way to travel! If you need assistance in finding the best prices, please reach out to me.
  • Don't buy new clothes for this Crazy Art Camp. First of all, forget about fashion. At the Crazy Art Camp, no one will judge you for your looks. You will enchant us with your personality. If there is a small hole in your hiking pants, just patch it. If there is a piece of clothing that you really need, find it in a second hand store or at a clothes swap.
  • Don't bring synthetical soaps, shampoo with nanoplastics, etc. In general, a piece of vegan Savon de Marseille / Aleppo soap / hard soap or however you call it, will do perfectly for skin, hair and clothes.
  • Stick to plant based food, don't bring or consume any diary etc.
It is probably a great idea to compensate the environmental impact of your participation by supporting a reforestation project or so. Please reach out to me if you want suggestions.

Interested?

If you want to participate in this event, then you’re out of luck… it was cancelled! Please check out the other upcoming Crazy Camps or sign up for the newsletter and I’ll keep you updated about new Crazy Camps.