Workshop dates: May 17 - 24 2027 (Registration open until April 2027)
Cost: €3550
Accommodation is provided by BeArtz. The workshop is taught by Jeffrey Hirst.
Levels of experience: All levels (No experience necessary, perfect getaway into encaustic)
Material fee: TBD many materials provided by the instructor (R & F Handmade Paints and other materials.
TO REGISTER: please contact Magdalena Groszek at info@be-artz.com
View of the Pyrenees mountains from the castle tower BeArtz in the village of Sauveterre de Bearn.
Workshop Details
Spend the week creating encaustic paintings in the charming French village of Sauveterre de Béarn, enjoying cliff views overlooking the Gave d’Oleron river and the Pyrenees mountains.
Jeff Hirst workshop 2025 - BeArtz
In this 7-day course you will:
Explore Luminous Color. Deep dive into making paintings that explore the radiant color and beauty of encaustic paint.
Expand Color Knowledge: Thoroughly explore opaque and transparent color relationships, prismatic color, muted tones, and chromatic grays.
Create Sophisticated Relationships: Make paintings that use color in sophisticated ways, referencing the local colors of Southwest France.
Stretch Your Work: Work to push your own individual visual vision and stretch your boundaries through process, intuitive approaches and reflection.
Incorporate Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness drawing exercises each morning to open ideas to creativity and “getting in the flow”.
Hirst, Cargo, encaustic on shaped panel, 27” x 26”, 2026
Magnificent light in village of Sauveterre de Béarn
Please note: We will address each participant’s work within the class and discuss best practices for moving the work forward. The class requires no experience and is suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced painters.
Goals
R & F encaustic paints will be used during the class retreat.
Working with transparent and opaque color in encaustic paint.
Discovering how cool and warm color can coexist to form dynamic relationships.
Learning the difference between prismatic color, muted tones, and chromatic grays.
Creating paintings that open new doors through rapid-fire study exercises.
Understanding how oil and wax can work together and how to use glazing.
Incorporating tools, contemporary concepts, and local environmental elements into your work.
COST: €3550 per person
Schedule
Details:
Dates: Monday May 17th - Monday May 24th, 2027 arrival Sunday May 16th departure May 24th
Instruction: 5.5 days of instruction in the studio.
Daily Routine. Morning mindfulness drawing exercises, followed by studio time.
Excursions:
Day 4: A day-long field trip (optional) which may include eating at a one star Michelin Restaurant, Choko Ona and a visit to fabulous prehistoric caves.
Local Trips: One or two half-day trips around the local area and time off to explore area.
Walks: Time to explore Sauveterre de Béarn, walk the Camino Trail, or descend to the river.
At BeArtz
Private room in the historic house (options available).
Studio access with spacious working areas.
Meal plan
Welcome cheese and wine at BeArtz on the Sunday arrival (separate from the dinners).
5 lunches at Clara's (La Galupe), on the studio days: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri and Sun.
3 dinners at Clara's: Mon, Wed and Sun — other evenings people do their own thing; they lunch at Clara's most days, so it's nice to try other places in the evening.
Excursion Thursday: lunch at Choko Ona (own cost) and the caves — I'll book both. Unless you want to change the program.
Saturday: you're available for a half-day studio session in the morning (your 5.5th day). Saturday morning is the half-day session. Afternoon free — studio, or explore villages/thrift shops/towns; optional arts café in the evening (€24 set menu).
Departure Monday, May 24, 2027
A simple self-service breakfast may be available.
Coffee. tea, and water available.
Studio equipment and basic tools are available at BeArtz studio.
Art materials are provided by the instructor or charged at a cost if shipped. There may be a small material fee.
Optional local excursions and visits.
What is not included:
Additional costs
Airfare, trains, and transfers to/from the airport.
Meals during excursions or restaurant outings. Meals during free time.
Museum entries or optional activities.
Pricing
Cost: €3,550 per person
Accommodation is provided by BeArtz. The workshop is led independently by Jeffrey Hirst
Payment Schedule:
Deposit: €1,775 (50%) due at time of registration.
Balance: €1,775 due 90 days before the class (February 17th 2027).
Payment Methods
Invoice sent via Stripe (card fees may apply).
Paypal (Fees apply).
Bank Transfer: No fees, any currency accepted.
TO REGISTER: please contact Magdalena Groszek at info@be-artz.com
Cancelations & Insurance: IMPORTANT TRAVEL INSURANCE. "The deposit is non-refundable, as places involve advance commitments. For this reason we strongly recommend Cancel-For-Any-Reason (CFAR) travel insurance, which protects you in any circumstance — including the unlikely event that we have to cancel. If you need to cancel, you're welcome to help find someone to take your place; if the place is filled, whether by you or by us, we'll refund your payment less an administration fee. In the unlikely event that the teacher becomes unavailable, the workshop will run with a replacement teacher."
Jeff Hirst
Meet Your Instructor: Jeffrey Hirst earned his MFA from Louisiana State University in 1990. He has been showcased at venues around the U.S. and Europe and is represented by galleries in Chicago and Columbus. Hirst owns Hirst Printmaking in Chicago, specializing in experimental printmaking and mixing painting and prints. He is the recipient of a Minnesota State Arts Board grant and a City of Chicago grant. He will be setting up an exhibition at the beautiful art gallery at Art Cafe des Pyrenees during the month of May 2027.
TO REGISTER: please contact Magdalena Groszek at info@be-artz.com