Sunday afternoon, September 24th through Monday morning, October 2, 2026
Erin Lee Gafill & Tom Birmingham
8 nights total
7 nights at Tenuta San Carlo; first night in Rome
- Relax at Tenuta San Carlo, a 1000 acre agritourismo retreat on the Tuscan Coast
- All skill levels welcome and supported
- Visit the Tarot Garden of Grosetto
- Two sessions daily, slow stitching and intuitive textile design
- Authentic Farm to Table, Family Style Meals
- In Rome, 4-star lodging and dinner
- Ground transportation to Tenuta San Carlo and to SMN train station in Florence on the final day.
- all lodging city taxes and fees.
- Start to finish support and service!
Intuitive Stitching and Organic Design
the joy of working by hand and from the heart
Hosted in a beautifully restored farmhouse on the Tuscan coast, this brand new workshop is an immersive journey into intuitive hand-stitching and design led by award-winning fine artist Erin Lee Gafill. Erin is known for her vibrant, colorful, and expressive painting and exuberant “outside in” patchwork quilts.
At Tenuta San Carlo, we will work with scrap patchwork and hand-stitching. Each day will include time for personal work as well as a group stitching project.
Under Erin’s warm and supportive guidance, participants will learn to design “stitch by stitch”. You’ll “Follow the Energy”, embracing creative freedom and organic design while incorporating fine art principles and practices.
This Mediterranean escape fosters a strong sense of interpersonal connection and community, allowing each person to share the relaxing joy of textile art together. Whether you are an absolute beginner or an experienced stitcher, this retreat is an invitation to connect with fellow creators and explore your own artistic voice.
Program Itinerary
Each day will include morning and afternoon stitching sessions, farm to table meals, walks to the beach, and plenty of time to relax. We’ll visit the Niki de Saint Phalle’ mosaic Tarot Garden near Grosetto on our way from Rome, and we’ll have an excursion day to a near by vineyard for lunch.
Sunday, September 24
Meet in Rome at a the Abitart Hotel, a 4-Star Hotel in the Ostiense neighborhood
Evening neighborhood walk and dinner
Monday, September 25
Morning Pickup – head to Tenuta San Carlo
Visit the Tarot Garden near Grosetto with picnic lunch
Arrive at San Carlo in time to unpack and unwind
Aperitivo, and Dinner
Daily Schedule
Breakfast – buffet style
Morning Stitching Session
Lunch – buffet style
Afternoon Stitching Session
Evening Aperitivo
Sit-down Dinner
Monday, October 12
Breakfast at San Carlo
10 am – Private Transport to
SMN Train Station, Florence
Arrivederci Tuscany!
About Tenuta San Carlo
Tenuta San Carlo offers a unique getaway for couples and families, nature-lovers, and travelers of all kinds seeking to deepen their experience of Tuscany beyond the region’s top tourist destinations. As our guest, you will be staying in restored farmhouse apartments within a nature reserve along the Mediterranean coast where you will be in close contact with the rich history, traditions, and culture of Maremma.
With direct beach access, peaceful landscapes and plentiful opportunities to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat, Tenuta San Carlo is the ideal location to slow down, spend full days outdoors and reconnect with nature’s rhythms.
The Apartments
The lodging at Tenuta San Carlo is made up of six one to three bedroom, one bath apartments. Most bedrooms can be made up for a couple, two friends, or a single person. Most apartments have sitting rooms and kitchenettes, with free WiFi.
Location
The Tenuta San Carlo is located on the Mediterranean Coast of Tuscany near Grosseto. It is a working organic rice farm. Achille Gaggia founded the farm in 1936. His great-granddaughters, Samantha and Ariane currently steward the farm operation and the agriturismo hospitality.
Property
The Tenuta San Carlo is a 1,000+ acre property that includes a working farm and preserved wild lands. From the farmhouse it is a 3 km walk (or bike ride) to a private beach on the Mediterranean Sea.
Tenuta San Carlo is a secluded property, far from the hustle and bustle of Italy’s famous tourist spots.
Activities
Besides scheduled activities during our week at San Carlo, there is plenty of free time. The wide open acreage makes for easy walks through the fields, and to the beach. You’ll share a sitting room and kitchenette with your apartmentmates, so you’ll have a place to “get away” and read a book, or chat.
You’ll have the option of renting a bicycle for the week, making it possible to easily get to the beach, or the small town of Marina di Grosseto, about 5 km away.
About Erin
I’ve been teaching art, writing, and creativity with my husband, Tom Birmingham for over thirty years. We’ve brought groups to Italy for over twenty years. Each year we teach at Rancho la Puerta in Tecate, BC, Mexico, Tenuta di Spannocchia, and at Esalen Institute in Big Sur.
Registration
What’s Included
- Eight nights lodging (seven at Tenuta San Carlo, first night at a four-star hotel in Rome)
- All meals with dinner on September 24th through breakfast on October 2nd
- Ground transportation in a private coach from Rome to Tenuta San Carlo, on our excursion day, and to SMN train station Florence on the final day.
- Award-winning daily instruction
- Safe and Supportive learning environment
- Apertivo at sunset each evening at Tenuta San Carlo
What’s Not Included
- Airfare to and from Italy
- Supplies and equipment
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal and Incidental expenses
Registration Fee
Registration Fee – $4650 (Single Supplement – $700)
Deposit –
Your space is reserved with a $500 nonrefundable deposit, along with the completed registration form.
The balance is due before July 1, 2026. The deposit can be paid through this link –
Or by mailing a check along with the printed and signed registration form.To register fill out and sign this registration form.
Email a copy to tom@bigsurarts.com, or, mail to:
Tom Birmingham & Erin Lee Gafill
11 Hepburn Road
Hamden, CT 06517