2026 Dodd Cortona Experience
Experience art and culture in Tuscany with the University of Georgia
October 18 – 26, 2026
Interested? Contact Grace Mercer at Grace.Mercer@uga.edu
Learn More and Connect with Us!
- November 12 @ 6:30 pm — Meet and Greet + Guest Artist Recital with Cortona Culture and Tourism Councilor Francesco Attesti, UGA Performing Art Center, Ramsey Concert Hall
- December 2 @ 5:30 pm — Zoom Information Session. Register here.
- January 24 @ 3 pm — 2025 Cortona Mostra Exhibition and Reunion, Lamar Dodd School of Art
Tourists, local residents, and students enjoy a food and drinks at a local market in the Piazza della Repubblica in Cortona on a sunny afternoon.
Visitors in ceramics studio at Jack Kehoe Center in Cortona, 2024.
Student in ceramics studio at Jack Kehoe Center in Cortona, October 2024. Photograph courtesy of Francis Oliver.
Archives at Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca, photo courtesy of Francis Oliver, 2024.
Diocesan Museum, photo courtesy of Francis Oliver, 2024.
Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca, photo courtesy of Francis Oliver, 2024.
Andiamo a Cortona!
Since 2006, the Lamar Dodd School of Art and the International Center in Cortona of the University of Georgia have co-curated the Dodd Cortona Experience — approximately one week of artist-led VIP excursions centered around the art-rich and historical Tuscan hill town of Cortona. Next October, the Dodd and UGA Cortona cordially invite you to join us for the 2026 Dodd Cortona Experience.
The program is designed for lovers of art, food, wine and the central Italian landscape and culture. The experience also highlights Lamar Dodd School of Art studio and lecture-based courses taught at the UGA Cortona Center, now celebrating 55+ years of the highest quality study abroad programming and coursework in painting, photography, printmaking, and more.
The week-long tour from October 18 – 26, 2026 will include a visit to the nearby Hermitage Le Celle, a monastery founded by Francis of Assisi in 1211 in the Tuscan hillside, and an optional weekend visit to Assisi with UGA Cortona student artists, coinciding with the official 8th centenary of the death of Francis of Assisi. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a special tour of the international Cortona on the Move photography festival with over 20 exhibitions of 70+ artists. Other highlights include local museum visits featuring an Annunciation by Fra Angelico, Etruscan archaeology, and white-glove access to manuscripts by Dante Alighieri. Top it all off with exquisite wine, vibrant company, beautiful sunsets, and accessible demos in watercolor, ceramics, and metalwork.
Joe Peragine, director of the Lamar Dodd School of Art and professor of drawing & painting will lead the 2026 Dodd Cortona Experience, aided by Chris Robinson, director of UGA Cortona.
Meet your Guides
Lamar Dodd School of Art Director Joe Peragine
UGA Cortona Director Chris Robinson
UGA Cortona Director Chris Robinson and Lamar Dodd School of Art Director Joseph Peragine explore artworks in the UGA Cortona studios, October 2024.
Overview
When
Sunday October 18, 2026 (depart U.S., arrive October 19) – Monday October 26, 2026
Included
- One-of-a-kind art workshops at the UGA Cortona campus with faculty instruction and art supplies
- Immersive and guided group excursions to Assisi, wineries, museums, archives and more!
- Range of receptions, dinners, private wine and cheese event, cooking lesson and select lunches
- Ground transportation, including chartered coach between Fiumicino airport in Rome and Cortona; group excursions outside Cortona
Not Included
- Hotel accommodations (group rates available with hotel partner Monastero di Cortona, see Eligibility + Costs)
- Airfare
- Any ground transportation beyond program itinerary
- Any meals other than those organized by the Dodd Cortona Experience
Itinerary
Day 1 Monday, October 19
- Morning
- Arrival to Rome Airport
- Mid-day
- Bus leaves from Rome Airport for Cortona (approx. 3-hour ride); boxed lunches provided
- Afternoon
- Arrival to Cortona, settle into rooms (hotel partner: Hotel Il Monastero)
- Evening
- Welcome “Apericena” at DelBrenna Jewelry shop in Cortona (famous prosecco with gold dust). Greetings from UGA Cortona Director, Chris Robinson and UGA Lamar Dodd School of Art Director, Joe Peragine; short orientation meeting, review itinerary, etc.
______________________________________________________________________
Day 2 Tuesday, October 20
- Morning
- Meet for coffee/tea, review itineraries
- Tour of city of Cortona led by UGA Cortona Director Chris Robinson
- Special access visit to Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca e della Città di Cortona (MAEC) and historical library collection, including works by Dante Alighieri
- Mid-day
- Group picnic lunch at the Jack Kehoe Center
- Afternoon
- Tour of UGA Cortona International Center
- Studio art demo/workshop*
- Evening
- Dinner on your own
________________________________________________________________________________
Day 3 Wednesday, October 21
- Morning
- Coffee/tea conversation/workshop: Italian Customs and Culture with UGA Cortona International Center Staff
- Tour Cortona Diocesano Museum, including famous Annunciation by Fra Angelico
- Mid-day
- Lunch on your own
- Afternoon
- Studio art demo/workshop*
- Cooking lesson with local chef and dinner as group
________________________________________________________________________________
Day 4 Thursday, October 22
- Morning
- Studio art demo/workshop*
- Visit local frantoio (olive oil mill) to see pressing process & taste new oil
- Mid-day
- Light lunch incorporating new olive oil
- Evening
- ‘Wine-tasting in piazza’ with Marco Molesini, owner of Molesini Wine Club
- ‘Shine & Dine’ dinner showcasing wines from producer represented at piazza tasting
_______________________________________________________________________________
Day 5 Friday, October 23
- Morning
- Visit Le Celle, St. Francis’ first monastery (optional car transportation provided)
- Mid-day
- Picnic lunch
- Afternoon
- Visit Cortona’s Etruscan tombs
- Evening
- Dinner with UGA Cortona fall program participants, meet scholarship students
________________________________________________________________________________
Day 6 Saturday, October 24
Pick your own excursion!
- Option A — Join UGA Cortona Fall Semester group on excursion to Assisi. UGA Cortona students make an excursion each Saturday as part of the program and course work. There will be on-site lectures from professors and assignments for the students. We will also enter the Basilica of Saint Francis and other sites.
- Option B — Afternoon vineyard visit with tasting and light food
- Option C — VIP guided visit of international photography festival Cortona on the Move
- Option D — Stay in Cortona, rest, relax, repose
Dinner on your own
________________________________________________________________________________
Day 7 Sunday, October 25
- Morning
- Studio art demo/workshop*
- Mid-day
- Lunch on your own
- Afternoon
- Free time for packing, around-town errands, etc.
- Evening
- Reception and “Show & Tell” of artwork
- Final, celebratory dinner in Cortona
_______________________________________________________________________________
Day 8 Monday, October 26 – End of Program
- Morning
- Bring luggage down to transport to bus
- Early departure for Rome Airport
- Boxed breakfast en route
*Studio art demos include plein air watercolor, ceramic tile decoration, and metal casting
Itinerary
Day 1 Monday, October 19
- Morning
- Arrival to Rome Airport
- Mid-day
- Bus leaves from Rome Airport for Cortona (approx. 3-hour ride); boxed lunches provided
- Afternoon
- Arrival to Cortona, settle into rooms (hotel partner: Hotel Il Monastero)
- Evening
- Welcome “Apericena” at DelBrenna Jewelry shop in Cortona (famous prosecco with gold dust). Greetings from UGA Cortona Director, Chris Robinson and UGA Lamar Dodd School of Art Director, Joe Peragine; short orientation meeting, review itinerary, etc.
______________________________________________________________________
Day 2 Tuesday, October 20
- Morning
- Meet for coffee/tea, review itineraries
- Tour of city of Cortona led by UGA Cortona Director Chris Robinson
- Special access visit to Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca e della Città di Cortona (MAEC) and historical library collection, including works by Dante Alighieri
- Mid-day
- Group picnic lunch at the UGA Jack Kehoe Center
- Afternoon
- Tour of UGA Cortona International Center
- Studio art demo/workshop*
- Evening
- Dinner on your own
________________________________________________________________________________
Day 3 Wednesday, October 21
- Morning
- Coffee/tea conversation/workshop: Italian Customs and Culture with UGA Cortona International Center Staff
- Tour Cortona Diocesano Museum, including famous Annunciation by Fra Angelico
- Mid-day
- Lunch on your own
- Afternoon
- Studio art demo/workshop*
- Cooking lesson with local chef and dinner as group
________________________________________________________________________________
Day 4 Thursday, October 22
- Morning
- Studio art demo/workshop*
- Visit local frantoio (olive oil mill) to see pressing process & taste new oil
- Mid-day
- Light lunch incorporating new olive oil
- Evening
- ‘Wine-tasting in piazza’ with Marco Molesini, owner of Molesini Wine Club
- ‘Shine & Dine’ dinner showcasing wines from producer represented at piazza tasting
_______________________________________________________________________________
Day 5 Friday, October 23
- Morning
- Visit Le Celle, St. Francis’ first monastery (optional car transportation provided)
- Mid-day
- Picnic lunch
- Afternoon
- Visit Cortona’s Etruscan tombs
- Evening
- Dinner with UGA Cortona fall program participants, meet scholarship students
________________________________________________________________________________
Day 6 Saturday, October 24
Pick your own excursion!
- Option A — Join UGA Cortona Fall Semester group on excursion to Assisi. UGA Cortona students make an excursion each Saturday as part of the program and course work. There will be on-site lectures from professors and assignments for the students. We will also enter the Basilica of Saint Francis and other sites.
- Option B — Afternoon vineyard visit with tasting and light food
- Option C — VIP guided visit of international photography festival Cortona on the Move
- Option D — Stay in Cortona, rest, relax, repose
Dinner on your own
________________________________________________________________________________
Day 7 Sunday, October 25
- Morning
- Studio art demo/workshop*
- Mid-day
- Lunch on your own
- Afternoon
- Free time for packing, around-town errands, etc.
- Evening
- Reception and “Show & Tell” of artwork
- Final, celebratory dinner in Cortona
_______________________________________________________________________________
Day 8 Monday, October 26 – End of Program
- Morning
- Bring luggage down to transport to bus
- Early departure for Rome Airport
- Boxed breakfast en route
*Studio art demos include plein air watercolor, ceramic tile decoration, and metal casting
Eligibility + Costs
Participation in the 2026 Dodd Cortona Experience is open to UGA Lamar Dodd School of Art and UGA Cortona alumni, as well as to all “friends” of Cortona. Total number of participants will be limited. Potential participants are advised that Cortona is a hilly town with steep streets. Restrictions on participation may apply to individuals under the age of 18. 2026 Dodd Cortona Experience reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Early bird rate is $2,500/person (before February 1, 2026)
- Standard rate is $3,000/person (between February 1 and June 6, 2026)
- In addition to the base program payment, registration for the Dodd Cortona Experience involves a tax-deductible, non-refundable gift of $1,000 per individual ($1,500 for couples) to the Lamar Dodd School of Art and UGA Cortona to ensure the continuation of quality visual arts education and programming at home and abroad.
The total balance of registration and gift must be paid by no later than June 6, 2026.
If you cancel before August 1, 2026, the Lamar Dodd School of Art and UGA Cortona will provide a refund, according to the following scale:
| Timeline of Participant Cancellation | Cancellation Fee Participant is Financially Responsible to Pay |
|---|---|
| 90 to 63 days prior to the program departure date | 25% |
| 64 to 40 days prior to the program departure date | 50% |
| 39 to 15 days prior to the program departure date | 75% |
| 14 prior to the program departure date and at any time during the program | 100% |
A Journey Through Time Within the Walls of an Ancient 15th-Century Monastery
Monastero di Cortona occupies the same building once known as the “Albergo Athens,” the former living accommodations for UGA Cortona students for over 30 years. It is now a boutique hotel, recently renovated with unique, modern comfort in a historical setting
Various Group Rates available under Group name Cortona Experience 2026 for arrival on October 19 and departure on October 26.
- Classic Room (5 available)
- €435/day
- Superior Room (4 available)
- €478/day
Booking should be made by June 25, 2026. On that date, any remaining rooms will revert to the hotel to sell to other guests at prevailing rates.
Monastero Di Cortona Hotel & Spa
Register
The total balance of registration and gift must be paid by no later than June 6, 2026.
Priority deadline for discounted rates is February 1, 2026.
After registration for the Dodd Cortona Experience, participants will receive detailed course descriptions, itineraries, suggested reading lists and a supply list. A pre-travel information session will be scheduled in Fall 2026.
Contact Us
Last updated: November 25, 2025