culTOURinaria
"Porcelain Art and Beyond" in Germany
The adventure of exploring the cradles of European porcelain
Small exclusive groups of passionate porcelain painters travel to the cradles of European porcelain in Germany: Meissen, Dresden, Thuringia, Bavaria and Berlin - with porcelain painting classes, sightseeing, excursions, delicious food and much fun together...
The special custom “Porcelain Painting Art and Beyond” Tours include two 2-day classes at the prestigious porcelain manufacturers with experienced professional instructors. - "Meissen / Dresden style", "KPM style", "Thuringia style", "Fuerstenberg style" or "Bavaria style". We visit several porcelain manufacturers presenting their local designs as well as precious porcelain collections at historic places, royal palaces and fortresses. For accompanying family / friends and for "non-painters" who do not want to participate in the painting classes we provide alternative programs during the porcelain painting classes.
Also have a look at our Porcelain Art Tour to the 2012 IPAT Convention in San Francisco, USA
Travel dates 2012:
Thursday, May 31 to Thursday, June 14, 2012
Thursday, August 30 to Thursday, September 13, 2012
Thursday, October 11 to Thursday, October 25, 2012 and ON REQUEST!
"Porcelain Art and Beyond" Tours 2012 - Trip program overview and information (PDF)
Every tour includes two 2-day painting classes:
Class 1 at the Dresden Porcelain Manufactory, Saxony
Class 2 at the studios of Marlen Sohr and Petra / Joerg Kugelmeier in Lenggries, Bavaria
The porcelain painting artists Joerg and Petra Kugelmeier as well as Andreas Knobl and Marlen Sohr all live and work in Lenggries, Bavaria, Germany. They know each other well because they have all studied porcelain painting at the same master class in Meissen. Each one of them is a great artist - For the 2012 painting classes we work with the Kugelmeiers and with Marlen Sohr, who is not as well known internationally but her work clearly speaks for itself and she has proved herself being a wonderful teacher at our Porcelain Art Tour 2011:
Website Marlen Sohr's porcelain painting school, Germany - Gallery of her work
Exemplary testimonial by Kay Campbell, TX: "I really enjoyed painting with Marlen. Even though I was not acquainted with her work, I quickly saw that she is a really talented artist. She welcomed us and made us feel right at home. It was a wonderful experience painting with a Meissen trained artist and in such a beautiful setting in Bavaria."
Exemplary testimonial by Martha Van Winkle, TX: "The experience we had painting with Marlen Sohr in Lenggries in 2011 was wonderful! She was so generous in sharing her knowledge of the art and was able to give us plenty of one-on-one time in order to have a piece we were very proud of. I painted the iris and wish I could have had time to paint the scene she offered too. Her style of painting is very soft in color but very sharp and detailed. Her studio was nicely set up with all of the supplies we needed. She is one of the most talented painters I have ever painted with and I look forward to going back... She and her husband were wonderful hosts and made us feel right at home. The village of Lenggries is so quaint and picturesque - it is picture postcard perfect! I can't wait to get back there..."
1) Marlen Sohr 2) Kay Campbell 3) Martha Van Winkle
"Iris inspired by a painting by Redoute"
1) Marlen Sohr 2) Lydia Lumen
"Landscape - Harbor scene in purple"
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Impressions from the painting class of our 2011 tour in Dresden:
Impressions from the painting class of our 2011 tour at Marlen Sohr's studio in Lenggries:
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Tour price starts at: $3,984 ground package, double occupancy, based on 1 EUR = 1.35 USD
including two 2-day painting classes
minimum of 4 travelers for group of 4-6 people
minimum of 10 travelers for group of 10-16 people
The final tour price will be calculated based on the currency exchange rate 2-3 months prior to the trip.
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Testimonials from porcelain painters who have participated our Tours to Germany:
"For two years in a row a group of porcelain artists from Texas and California have traveled to Germany through Sullivan's Custom Tours with Ute Boese and Donna Sullivan as our tour directors. I can't tell you how much fun we had. They put together a wonderful itinerary showing us not only some of the most beautiful parts of the country, but arranged tours of porcelain manufactories (including KPM, Meissen, Dresden and other smaller ones) and museums with large collections of porcelain. We were privileged to paint at the Meissen factory for two days - they have since discontinued the school - and this year we painted for two days at the Dresden factory. We also painted with private professional painters, one of which was trained in Meissen. All of the teachers were very generous in sharing their knowledge and I think my painting has greatly improved from it. Our accommodations ranged from a large hotel in Berlin to smaller boutique hotels and all were very comfortable. The food was great and Ute and Donna introduced us to dishes we might not have known to order, but were delicious. There is not enough room here to describe all the wonderful experiences we had and new friends I have made - You'll just have to come along and see for yourself!!" Martha Van Winkle, Porcelain Art Club of Houston, TX
"I have thoroughly enjoyed the trip. You have added such personal touches that has made me feel like we have been one family for these 2 weeks. I look forward to coming back next year." Kay Campbell, TX
"I had a wonderful time. This trip has exceeded all my expectations." Jada Guinn, TX
"The September Porcelain Art Tour of Germany was beyond my expectations - The days were planned with a variety of activities to accommodate the wishes of the travelers as a group and individually. Ute provided a well planned trip with warmth and enthusiasm, knowledge of the areas visited, and great attention to all the details of travel. I would certainly recommend traveling with her anytime." Sibyl White, TX
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For more information, trip programs, prices, registration or you own tailor-made tour contact us:
culTOURinaria - Ute Boese:
Email: info@cultourinaria.com
Sullivan's Custom Tours - Donna Sullivan:
Email: donnabsullivan@aol.com
Phone: (1) 713.291.3492 (cell) or (1) 713.849.4858 (phone/fax)
Special offers / incentives for travel group leaders and porcelain art club trips!
Germany is the birthplace of European porcelain. Until today the tradition of artfully handcrafted porcelain is very much alive at many local porcelain manufacturers.
Since the beginning of the 13th century, porcelain had been imported by European royalty from China at an enormous cost. In the early 18th century endeavors were made in Germany to unlock the secret of porcelain manufacturing. The orders were given by Augustus II "the Strong", the Electoral Prince of Saxony and the King of Poland. In 1708, white porcelain was manufactured for the first time in Europe under the leadership of Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus and - the imprisoned - Johann Friedrich Boettger.
The "Saxon Porcelain Manufactory of Dresden" was founded in 1872 and is still keeping alive the long tradition of European porcelain art. Few skillful shapers and painters are manufacturing delicate porcelain items purely by hand. in 1708, the European porcelain was invented in Dresden being the baroque royal capital of Saxony. The famous "White Gold" started its triumphal march all over Europe from here - from Dresden.
The "Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactury of Munich" has been handcrafting finest porcelain services, figures and objects of the greatest quality and purity for 260 years. Its history is inseparably associated with the famous royal Wittelsbach dynasty in Bavaria.
Located in Bavaria, the "Rosenthal Porcelain Manufactory of Selb" was founded in 1879. The products of this multi-faceted company today stand for international lifestyle.
Germany's second oldest "Fuerstenberg Porcelain Manufactory" has specialized in unique and exclusive porcelain manufacture since 1747. The craftsmen at this traditional company in Lower Saxony are expert at developing historic collections and creating contemporary product lines - with precision down to the smallest detail.
The “State Porcelain Manufactory Meissen” was founded in 1710 and is Europe’s first porcelain manufacturer. Table services, figurines, accessories are still hand-crafted. The "Crossed Swords" are the oldest trademark in the world to have been used without interruption since their creation. Forms and decorations have changed throughout the history but the premium quality of Meissen porcelain has never been compromised.
Founded in 1751, the “Royal Prussian Porcelain Manufactory KPM” stands for the very finest porcelain and one of the leading luxury brands in the world. The legendary King of Prussia, Frederick the Great, gave the company its name and trademark - the royal blue scepter - in 1763.
In 1757, Georg Heinrich Macheleid from Cursdorf in Thuringia independently developed a technique to make porcelain. Since then, many small manufacturers along the so called “Porcelain Roads in Thuringia and Bavaria” have made their way creating an exciting diversity of local porcelain designs: decors featuring native flowers, birds, herbs, landscapes, portraits, scenes of daily life...
QUALITY PORCELAIN RESOURCES - QPR
Exclusive Distributor of ARTFILIPE products for USA and Canada
Contact the owner Paula LaVergne - Email: QPR.Paula@att.net
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