Painting Happiness: The Color and Mysteries of Assisi
Instructor: C. Finley
Tuesday, July 15, 2025   -   Monday, July 28, 2025


There is a moment in the life of every painter—whether you picked up a brush for the first time 30 years ago or 30 days ago—when your vision of what is possible cracks open. Many things can lead to this moment, but often it is the magic of a place, the support of a community and the voice of a teacher who sees you. In this encouraging and inspiring atmosphere the unique colors of Umbria and some of the greatest art of the Western world will lead you to go farther into your artistic practice than ever before.

Artist, curator, and teacher C. Finley has a bold and bright vision of what every artist is capable of—no matter their level of experience. Painting Happiness is an invitation to create in a magical landscape and let the color and mystery of that place lead you forward. In this open and improvisational painting workshop, the unconscious—where your inner critic dissolves and your genius brain is nourished—will be engaged through playfulness, rigor, laughter and enchantment.

All levels are welcome to join this workshop. Beginning and intermediate students will have painting and color exercises to encourage them to leap forward in their work. Advanced artists who would like to work independently have access to one on one instruction. A supply list is available. 




Instructor Photo

C. Finley, Founder and Curator of the Every Woman Biennial, is known for her elaborate paintings and intense use of color, monumental murals, multi-disciplinary collaborations, and her activism through urban art interventions, including her acclaimed Wallpapered Dumpsters. As the creator of the 2014-2021 Every Woman Biennial she has exhibited 1200 female and non-binary artists in New York, Los Angeles and London. Finley has shown internationally and her work has been featured in the The New York Times, La Repubblica, Dazed, Fast Company, Women’s Wear Daily, Cultured, and more. 

iamfinley.com




Instructor Photo








Double Pieta, 72 x 59 in Acrylic on canvas, 2014


Ecstasy of Santa Theresa, 60x 48 acrylic on canvas, 2018