AMERICANS IN PARIS 2026
10th year Anniversary! ​Paris and Normandy Château, France
​Workshop/Art Retreat - May 13th to 23rd, 2026
​Hosted by our partner WORKSHOPS IN FRANCE

VRFA's Americans in Paris fine art project celebrates its 10th year! The journey continues with YOU, as our voyages are open to the public! Americans in Paris joins up again with Workshops in France our amazing host company,  to present to you an exciting workshop opportunity and unique art experience, both in the iconic city of Paris and painting on a traditional château estate just north of Paris, France, May 13-23rd, 2026.

You will engage and learn from these contemporary artists: Juliette Aristides,
Patrick Lee, Nicolas Martin, Peter Trippi and Vanessa Rothe, while enjoying the beauty of France!

This years AIP includes learning about the juxtaposition of classical realism combined with modern abstraction. This focus and theme is inspired by articles written by Rothe published in American Art Collector and Fine Art Connoisseur magazines, on the subject of todays artists who are combining and juxtaposing these two very different styles and genres to create works of art for today’s art world. The end product are paintings that cross over to any home style and collection, with works can be paired with classical figurative work, or could hang easily among a modern collection in a Manhattan loft.
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From the instructors you will learn both refined realism and classical techniques as well as alla prima applications of paint, and bold use of color in the backgrounds. Edges, lighting, and how to create a modern yet representational work of art. Rothe will lecture and discuss the transition from smooth paintings by Bouguereau to light filled Impressionism, to decorative flat shapes used by Bonnard and the Nabi’s. All while painting on location in France with 4 instructors, in some of the most beautiful landscapes and villages in the world. 

Americans in Paris (AIP) is the brainchild of Vanessa Rothe. It began with a purpose to inspire contemporary American artists to travel together to study in Paris and discover exciting ideas for their works of art in a place where historically so many important artists had found inspiration and formed connections. Following in the footsteps of the great American painters before them, such as Sargent, Whistler and Cassatt to name a few, a group of American realist and impressionist artists would travel to Paris to draw subject inspiration from the City of Light, architecture and fine art. There they would attend museums, examine the masters, learn group composition, absorb the culture, share ideas and paint together with the goal of reaching the next level of mastery in their work.

The exciting AIP 2026 workshop is open to the public and begins with a painting program at the château, in Normandy about one hour north of Paris, featuring daily painting sessions and instruction from four renowned painters. It continues with an enlightening two-day guided museum tour in Paris. The cost includes tuition, food, wine and accommodation at the château, as well as transport to the château from Paris and back again. All entrances to museums; the Musée d’Orsay, the Rodin Museum, lunch at the Musée d’Orsay are included. Flight and 2 nights stay in Hotel in Paris not covered, we will supply recommendations. 
You will be able to join the instructors for a paint out on the Seine and any other scheduled program activities with the accompanying instructors. The program encompasses portraiture and figurative work, painting models in the environment, still life, interiors and landscape painting. There will also be slideshow lectures about fine art and art history as well as panel discussions in the evenings.

Daily Schedule at the Chateau includes Instruction from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm with a nice lunch break. Personal painting on estate 4:30 – 6:30.  Dinner 7:00 – 8:30.  Wine and talks from 8:30 on in the evenings together. Dining, and all outing events will be with full group. For workshop w artist days, students will be divided up into Group A with 12 students, and group B with 12 students, to make sure attention is given to all each day painting and learning. 
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NORMANDY
May 13th: Pick up in Paris or Charles De Gaulle airport and transportation to the Chateau. Arrivals Day and a Welcome Dinner at the Château.
​May 14th: Group A: Juliette Aristides, Figures interior of chateau or in the landscape. Group B: Free Painting on Castle Grounds.  Evening slideshow on AIP theme art history by Rothe: Bouguereau to Bonnard, Classical Realism to Decorative Abstraction 
May 15th:  Group A: Lesson from Patrick Lee, creating figures with abstraction. Group B: Nicolas Martin painting Alla Prima.
May 16th: Both Groups Vanessa Rothe Landscape & Atmospheric Perspective Slideshow in the morning 9:00-10:30am. 
Afternoon trip to Henri de Sidaner Garden and home, live Paint Out in Gerberoy. Pack Lunch. Artist Panel discussion night 8:30pm, various topics
May 17th: Both Groups, non paint, open markets morning trip to Rouen Cathedral 9am-12pm. Afternoon group painting set up with all 4 artists on location at Chateau. Figures in the grass with picnic recreating Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe. 2-6pm
May 18th:  Both Group visit to Monet’s Garden and lunch in Giverny.
 May 19th: Group A: Nicolas Martin painting Alla Prima. Group B: Lessons from Patrick Lee creating figures with abstraction
May 20th: Group A: Painting on the Castle Grounds.Group B: Juliette Aristides
Evening Art Sale & Party.
(Chateau day plans subject to change due to weather.)

PARIS
May 21st: Transportation to Paris. Self-guided Louvre tour. Paris Paint out on the Seine or Tuileries Garden in late afternoon, 
May 22nd. 10:00 am Tour the Musée D’Orsay. 11:45 am, Special Lunch at the D' Orsay. 3:30-5:30 pm Musée Rodin and garden sketching. Goodbye's at the Rodin gates. 

You are now invited to be a part of an unforgettable experience that will continue to inspire the artist and art lover alike. To participate in this exclusive immersive program and discover the spectacular Normandy region of France, discuss art together at the museums and paint together in Paris, or for more information, please visit workshopsinfrance.com/americans-in-paris-worksho
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