April 18-22, 2025

Meet Bryan Jernigan

Growing up in Oklahoma, Bryan studied studio art at Oklahoma State University. He continued his studies at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa where he received a Masters in Arts degree. Jernigan is an internationally collected, award-winning artist who works primarily in pastel, acrylic and oil. He has been working in pastel for 15 years. He regularly offers workshops and classes and his work is held by public and private companies and individuals in the U.S., France, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Japan. Visit his website at www.bryanjernigan.com for more information.

The Costa Brava is a rugged coastal region of Catalonia in northeastern Spain that extends along the coast of the province of Girona from Barcelona to the French border. It is known for its gorgeous beaches, medieval towns, castles and fortifications. Founded by pagan Romans, Girona was controlled over the years by Visigoths, Moors, and Franks, and then by the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella (who outlawed its significant Jewish population). It was besieged 25 times, including a successful assault by Napoleonic troops.  

During this vacation workshop, Girona will be home-base and we will explore Costa Brava from there. On Day 1 we will discover the beautiful town of Girona. On Days 2,3,4 and 5 we will hop on a private air-conditioned coach that will take us to the little villages along the coast: L'Escala, Tossa de Mar, Calella de Palafrugell, Pals and Besalú.

When to Arrive?

Wednesday April 16, 2025

Welcome to Costa Brava!  Your arrival date is your decision but we suggest you arrive on Wednesday April 16 so that you have time to settle in and possibly to adjust to a new time zone or the vagaries of travel which, as we know, could include a missed or delayed flight. Better to be relaxed at the start of your vacation workshop.

Warm Up Sketch + Welcome Reception

Thursday April 17, 2025

Workshop participants who arrive early are invited to meet in the hotel lobby at 2:00 for a warm up sketch (optional). Bryan will not be teaching at this time. This is your chance to dust off your sketching kit and warm up.

Afterwards, all workshop participants and companions are invited to a wine and cheese welcome reception at 6pm in the hotel. Below is our proposed itinerary.

Day 1--An Art Museum Visit + Workshop #1

Friday April 18, 2025

We will spend Day 1 in the beautiful town of Girona. In the morning we will walk to nearby Parc de la Girondella. Here, under the trees, Bryan will teach Workshop #1. 

After lunch we will visit a Girona art museum to immerse ourselves in the art and culture of the region. 

Day 2--Greco-Roman Archeological Ruins + Workshop #2

Saturday April 19, 2025

Today we will travel by private coach to the Empúries Archeological Complex by the sea. This ruin is the most important Greco-Roman site in Catalonia. The name Empúries comes from the Greek term “Emporion” which means market place or commercial centre. In the morning we will tour the outdoor site and indoor museum.

After lunch we will gather on a leafy pathway for Workshop #2. 

Day 3--A 12th Century Castle + Workshop #3

Sunday April 20, 2025

Today is our beach day! We will travel by private coach to the Cala Giverola Beach where we will take in the rugged Mediterranean coastline. Here Bryan will teach Workshop #3. 

After lunch at a little cafe right on the beach we will explore the castle and fortifications in Tossa de Mar.

Day 4--A Botanical Garden, a charming village + Workshop #4

Monday April 21, 2025

Today we will visit Cap Roig Gardens, the most beautiful botanical gardens in Costa Brava where Byran will teach Workshop #4. Built in 1927 it features over 1000 different plant species.

Day 5--A Medieval Town + Workshop #5

Tuesday April 22, 2025

On our last day we will spend the morning in ancient Besalú. This unique town is situated on the edge of the volcanic zone of La Garrotxa Nature Reserve and it is part of the Caminos de Sefarad, which is the Jewish route in Spain. In this beautiful location, Bryan will teach Workshop #5. 

In the afternoon we will return to Girona and take a tour of the Girona Cathedral and the Basilica of Sant Feliu. Girona Cathedral is famed for its nave, the widest of its kind in the world. It was built on the site of a primitive Christian church and was  reconquered by Charlemagne in 785 AD.

In the evening we will enjoy our Farewell dinner (included).  

Departure

Wednesday April 23, 2025

It's time to say goodbye but you will never forget the friends you made or the skills you learned during this great week! Or extend your stay for a long relaxing holiday!  

PLEASE NOTE: THE ORDER OF EVENTS AND SUBJECTS PROPOSED IN THIS ITINERARY MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.  

Recommended Workshop Supply List

Click HERE to view Bryan's Workshop Supply List.  

FAQs

Click HERE for answers to frequently asked questions.

For more information about this vacation package contact Brenda Murray Studio56Boutique@gmail.com.

Tour Includes

• A welcome reception and Farewell dinner
• All art classes
• Admission to the museums and sites mentioned
• Ground transportation to the villages mentioned

Tour Excludes

• Flights to/from the area
• Hotel
• airport pick-up and drop-off
• Meals (except those listed above)
• Painting supplies
• City taxes payable by guest at check out
• Tips and gratuities
• Porterage/luggage handling
• Travel insurance
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Items not explicitly specified in the inclusion list

Prices in USD

$2099.USD Workshop Participant

$1499.USD NonSketcher Companion Participant (such as partner or travelling buddy)

NonSketcher Companion tickets include the same attractions and meals as the Workshop Participants with the exception of the art classes.

To reserve your spot in this workshop, a $500USD nonrefundable deposit is required for Workshop Participants and a $300USD nonrefundable deposit is required for nonSketcher Companions 150 days prior to the start of the workshop. The remaining balance is due 120 days prior to the start of the workshop.

To make a deposit, please scroll to the bottom and click BOOK NOW.

PLEASE READ OUR  REFUND POLICY.

Bring a Friend and Get a $50 Rebate!

Here's how it works. You and your sketching buddy register for the workshop with your deposits. Then send us an email and tell us you are registering with a sketching buddy. You will each be refunded $50 after the start of the workshop if the workshop sells out with 15 participants.

The small print: This discount code cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount code and it can only be applied to 2 Workshop participant tickets if the workshop sells out with 15 participants.

Accommodation

The hotel that the Instructor and the Tour Manager are staying in is centrally located in Girona.  

Information about the official hotel of this workshop including our group promo code will be sent to all participants after they have made their deposit. 

How to Make a Hotel Reservation

Before you make any hotel reservations, click the blue BOOK NOW button below to ensure you have a spot in this workshop.

After you have secured your spot in this workshop, you will be sent information about the hotel with instructions for how to book a room. Participants can stay in this hotel or book into another nearby hotel or Airbnb if they prefer. 

Trip Cancellation + Medical Insurance

Last minute cancellations for any reason are nonrefundable therefore protect your investment in this vacation by purchasing trip cancellation and medical insurance. Click HERE for a list of US travel insurance providers. Some credit card companies may also offer travel insurance if you paid for your trip using that credit card.

Pedestrian Friendly?

Girona is rated as easy by walking enthusiasts. We will be walking for 8 minutes (600m) from the hotel to the Cathedral and climbing the stairs to enter the cathedral and also climbing stairs to access the ancient walls. There will be a short walk from the bus to the site of each of the plein air workshops. Participants in this workshop must be fully mobile and able to walk for 20 minutes and manage stairs. If you are not able to walk 20 minutes and manage stairs, we recommend you consider a different Studio 56 workshop that is less physically demanding.   

Travel Tips

Please check HERE for Studio 56 Travel Tips.

Your Tour Manager

Participants will be accompanied by Studio 56 owner, Brenda Murray. Brenda is a Canadian artist and arts advocate, the founder of Urban Sketchers Waterloo Region and a former Urban Sketchers Board member. A seasoned traveler, Brenda has traveled to Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, England, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea (resident for 4 years), Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, and the USA (35 states). Brenda will be on hand to assist the instructor and to ensure that everything runs smoothly. She has completed the St. John's Ambulance Emergency First Aid - CPR C - AED training. Learn more about Brenda HERE. 

For More Information

Email Studio56Boutique@gmail.com or call Brenda Murray at 519-572-1757.

How to Register for this Workshop

To guarantee your spot in this exciting vacation workshop, participants must pay a deposit by clicking the BOOK NOW button below.