Here’s an opportunity where you can explore the prehistoric art of caves, go into wild caves, traverse the rugged limestone landscape and develop your art.

The workshops are not taught courses. They are structured, organised and run by Ian Ellis Chandler who acts as a source of ideas and concepts arranged around a series of visits and walks to caves and over the hills.

Whether you are a painter, sculptor, writer, photographer of any ability or in any medium or just need refreshing in an unspoilt traditional mountain area join us for a few days. Become immersed in the beginnings of our cultural history; the beginning of art; the beginning of abstract concepts; in the area where ancient man has left stunning evidence of awakening consciousness. Use this experience to re-vitalise your life and art.

The workshops are structured around a series of visits to show caves with prehistoric art on their walls, art that is both figurative and abstract; to caves where you can experience, safely, the beauty and wildness of the underground environment and where you might want to paint or sketch. Also other places of interest may be visited for example the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao as well as the opportunity to walk the hills and mountains.

There will be time for discussions and the exchange of ideas and information. Books and other information will be able to be studied, such as the techniques of making the cave art and the associated life styles as well as various theories of the meaning of the cave art. Studio and study space will be available, with basic materials provided.

After Joan Miro, the Spanish artist visited the cave at Altamira to view the prehistoric art he said that since the time of their painting all other art has been decadent.

The workshop.

It is what you, the others (up to 10 people) with Ian, make it in a relaxed but purposeful manner. You can bring ideas with you; you can just experience the visits and the environment; you can begin to work up ideas from sketches or notes and so on. You can work with others to produce something by the end of the workshop. These decisions will be made in the first day or so in discussion with all. But, of course, you may change your mind.

The first 2/3 days will be visit intensive to show caves with prehistoric art and with easy access into wild caves. You can enjoy mountain walks with the aim of getting to know the landscape and the other people where you will be able to generate ideas for art. The latter part of the week is for the occasional visit and to work on ideas in the studio or elsewhere.

Basic art materials such as sketch and note books and paper, some water colours and acrylics, brushes etc are provided. Other materials can be obtained locally.

The cost of travel for the visits is included but not entrance fees.

For others not so interested in doing art the visits and landscape will provide plenty of opportunities to discover the culture of Cantabria. Its folk lore and music, songs and dance are akin to Celtic culture.

Accomodation

The pension and restaurant Anjana (www.asadoranjana.com) will provide the rooms and full meal service. This pension is in the Ason valley just outside Ramales de la Victoria, a small town. In addition to the bedrooms (three ensuite four with separate bathrooms with a variety of bed combinations) a lounge/workroom will be used for individual and group activities. A studio is also available at Ian’s house in Matienzo where the gallery is situated, about 15 minutes away by car. If you want more information on Matienzo see the introduction on this web site.

For breakfast a variety of choices will be offered including cereals and toast with preserves. Lunch is dependent on the days activities and may be a packed lunch or taken in the restaurant.

The evening meal is three courses with wine and water and coffee. Special diets can be catered for if known in advance.

Further accommodation.

If you are a very small group, up to four people and also wish to be independent and self-catering a basic, rustic compact house can be rented at low cost. It has three small bedrooms, shared toilet and shower, kitchen/living room. This is adjacent to Ian’s house and the use of the studio will be included. Contact Ian for further details. Times are flexible to suit your needs.

Travel to Matienzo

Travel to and from Cantabria is not incuded in the price.

There are a number of low cost options to get here, as well as higher cost ones. Flying into Santander from Stanstead with Ryanair; or Bilbao from Stanstead with easyjet. By ferry, passengers and vehicles: from Plymouth to Santander or from Portsmouth to Bilbao. Both ferries are relatively expensive. You will be collected from any local place of arrival. Bilbao is 1 1/4 hours and Santander is 3/4 hour away.
Of course you can have you own car(or hire car).

Health and fitness

As the workshop involves some adventurous activities above and below ground you must be fit and able, although nothing difficult or extreme is done. For example walking the hills will be on rough tracks. The caves may require some stooping and the floor is generally uneven and wet. Make sure your travel insurance covers caving and mountain walking, as most do these days. You must have insurance for any remote event of rescue, hospitalisation and repatriation. Don´t forget your E111 equivalent medical card. There is a Doctor who visits the village each weekday morning and a Health Centre in Ramales.

Basic equipment for the caving trip will be provided. You will need good walking boots and outdoor wet weather clothing. It´s not called the green coast for no reason!

Other interests

The beaches to the north, with excellent sand to laze on and rocky islets to swim round, are only 35 minutes away. The coast is generally cliffs with sandy bays.
Local bars will stay open until the last customers leave.
Depending on the time of year some local village will be ‘ en fiesta’. Dancing will go until 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning.

Santander has all the facilities that you would expect from a European city. It is the capital of the province of Cantabria. There is a wide range of shops, traditional as well as the ubiquitous supermarkets There are five public galleries (including the Museo de Bellas Artes, Fundacion Botin and Caja Cantabria spaces) and at least ten private galleries, all showing, for free, modern art from local, national and international artists.

Local towns have art shows and there are private foundations with permanent exhibitions.

In Bilbao is the Guggenheim Museum with its world class collection and exhibitions presented in a building with no straight wall surfaces, clad in metallic scales alongside fine riverside walks. The Museo de Bellas Artes also presents particular shows as well as a permanent collection. Both galleries charge for shows.

The nearest town is Ramales de la Victoria situated on the Rio Ason below the peak of San Vincente. Here are some local supermarkets, small shops and a Tourist Information Office. Local banks have cash machines open all hours.

Other towns in Cantabria have interesting architecture and are worth a visit, such as Santallana del Mar, close to the Altamira cave.

Geography.

The area is very lush (in a year at least four cuts of hay can be taken from a field) and provides the ideal conditions for milk cattle, with herds of goats and wild horses roaming the mountainsides.

The region has a very wide range of birds, with a number of warblers, finches, migratory swifts, owls, and of course many birds of prey from vultures to the hobby; buzzards are common. On the coast there are bird reserves, some with hides.

The flora associated with the limestone is dependent upon the height above sea level. The woods, mainly deciduous but some plantations of eucalyptus, host shade loving plants and the occasional wild boar, maybe heard but rarely seen. For a non artist partner there are plenty of other diversions.

Cost.

The all inclusive cost (less travel to Spain) for 7 night/8 days is 560 euros.

Dates. 2006.

Ref. 6A1 29 April to 6 May.

Ref. 6M2 27 May to 3 June.

Ref. 6J3 10 June to 17 June.

Ref. 6J4 1 July to 8 July.

Ref. 6S5 2 September to 9 September.

Ref. 6O6 30 September to 7 October.

Other times for a group could be arranged.

Please contact Ian if you wish for more information, who will be happy to talk to you.

Please e-mail CreativeKarst@alto-ason.com for further details