We had a wonderful week in July 2024 all arranged by Nadia Molugova of The Florence Classical Art Academy.  She is a Russian artist, classically trained who has opened her own art school in Florence where students can be trained in the classical skills and techniques of painting.  Since the start of the Ukraine war Nadia opened her school as a Refugee centre.  We had an action packed time, amazing volunteers from Love Bristol, Bridgend in Wales and Brazil, huge generosity and hospitality from the village of Casole and exciting activities including building our own pizza oven from scratch, visiting a private fishing lake, the Valle del Sole and with the generous loan of a 7 seater vehicle we were able to take the group on trips.  We were even honoured to have a our little pizza oven blessed by Don Andrea from the Vatican who happened to be substituting for our local priest who was on holiday!  Vadim Molugov played beautiful classical guitar for us at the inaugural pizza party!

History: In July 2024 we built a pizza oven on the sculpture terrace/ramp (Via Roma entrance).  This can be used for larger pizza parties open to the public or private pizza parties for groups staying at the Centro.  The oven was built as part of a week long retreat for Ukrainian refugees and the completion was celebrated with a wonderful pizza party on 19 July 2024 (also the 2 year anniversary of Nigel Konstam - founder of the Art Centre (8 Dec 1932-19 July 2022). The Retreat was hosted by a Russian artist who works in Florence.  

Not just Pizzas:  You can hire the pizza man (pizzaiolo) to come and do it all for you or you can use the oven yourselves.  Once the oven is going you can cook all sorts of things in it - not just pizzas.  Roasted vegetables with lovely Italian sausages, casseroles and bread. 

Contact:  Pizzaiolo Laerte tel. 00393716412726  he doesn't speak English so either use Google translate or I can coordinate for you over Whatsapp. 

Options:  All you can eat Margarita Pizza (tomato and mozzarella - very simple - made with flour of 7 ancient grains) Tray of beautifully cooked roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, Tuscan sausages and onions with lovely smokey flavour from the coals.  Green salad and produce from Laerte's garden.  At the end of the evening remaining dough can be made into loaves of bread for breakfast the next morning.  €20 per head. 

With a bit of forward planning you could prepare a casserole to be popped in the oven at the end of the evening to slow cook over night and be enjoyed the following day.

Bring your own wine and drinks. 

It can be a private pizzata for just your group (minimum number 10 people - full menu as above €20 / person) or a larger party open to the village with simpler food - margarita pizza and roasted potatoes for  €12 per head. 

More photos of the Ukrainian Retreat 2024 can be seen here:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/wvpdZgg1hudPEsys6

Artists are welcome to stay at the Centre during the off season from the end of October to mid April.  This is a much quieter time of year and ideal for someone wanting to work on their own projects for an extended stay.

A month long stay:  €1,300

A fortnight:  €700

A week:  €450

Rent can be reduced by up to €15 per day in exchange for an hour's work such as upkeep of the property.   Please get in touch to discuss options.