Urban Sketching
Join us for the Urban Sketching Workshop in Dublin, led by acclaimed artist Danielle Kimzey. This unique workshop brings together artists of all levels for an immersive week of sketching, art demonstrations, and hands-on practice in the vibrant city of Dublin.
Lodging at Iveagh Garden Hotel
Immerse yourself in both comfort and inspiration for 6 days and 5 nights at the Iveagh Garden Hotel. This 4-star hotel is an urban oasis just steps from Grafton Street and Iveagh Gardens. Opened in February 2018, it has one of the lowest carbon footprints of any Irish hotel and is Europe's first fully sustainable hotel. Located in the heart of this vibrant city, the Iveagh Garden Hotel is near all major attractions. Your own room and breakfast are included in your workshop tuition.
Instructor Danielle Kimzey
Danielle Kimzey, with her MFA in Painting from the University of Iowa and a recipient of the Mildred Lynch Pelzer Fellowship, enriches the retreat in a remote support role with her international acclaim as an artist. Represented by Galleri Urbane in Dallas, her work has graced galleries from New York to Paris, reflecting her vibrant and explorative approach to art. Danielle's experiences as a bicycle and Segway tour guide in Nice and Paris, coupled with her extensive teaching background—from art appreciation and painting at Dallas College to design at Texas Christian University—offer retreat attendees an inspiring glimpse into the fusion of art, culture, and education. Her dedication to art and teaching and her work appearing in prestigious publications and projects, including architecting a 30-foot-tall Living Wall installation in West Palm Beach, showcases the profound impact art can have on community spaces and individual lives.
Daily Activities:
Morning Sketch Sessions: Begin your day with guided sketch sessions at iconic Dublin locations such as Trinity College, St. Stephen's Green, and Temple Bar.
Art Demonstrations: Learn techniques from Danielle Kimzey, including perspective, shading, and capturing the essence of urban landscapes.
Afternoon Practice: Spend afternoons practicing your sketching skills, with personalized feedback from Danielle.
Evening Discussions: Gather for informal discussions about the day’s work, art techniques, and more.
Select Locations for Our Urban Sketching Workshop in Dublin:
Trinity College
Home to the famous Book of Kells and the stunning Long Room Library, Trinity College offers a mix of historical architecture and vibrant student life. Sketch the iconic campanile, beautiful quadrangles, and bustling campus scenes.
St. Stephen's Green
This historic park in the heart of Dublin provides lush landscapes, serene lakes, and charming gazebos. It’s a perfect spot to practice capturing natural beauty and dynamic urban greenery.
Temple Bar
Known for its lively atmosphere and colorful buildings, Temple Bar is a hub of cultural activity. Capture the vibrant street scenes, unique storefronts, and bustling nightlife of Dublin’s cultural quarter.
Ha'penny Bridge
This iconic pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey offers picturesque views of the river and the surrounding cityscape. Sketch the elegant ironwork and the reflections on the water, creating dynamic urban compositions.
Dublin Castle
A mix of medieval, Georgian, and modern architecture, Dublin Castle provides a rich tapestry of historical elements to sketch. Explore the beautiful gardens, the impressive Chester Beatty Library, and the striking Record Tower.
The Spire of Dublin
Standing tall on O'Connell Street, the Spire is a modern landmark that contrasts sharply with the surrounding historic architecture. Its sleek design offers a unique challenge for sketching contemporary structures amidst a classic urban environment.
Merrion Square
Surrounded by Georgian houses, Merrion Square is another green oasis in Dublin. It features elegant statues and colorful flower beds. It’s an excellent place to sketch nature and the beautifully preserved Georgian facades.
These locations will provide diverse and enriching experiences, allowing you to capture the essence of Dublin through your sketches.
Select Museum Visits
National Gallery of Ireland
Located in the heart of Dublin, the National Gallery of Ireland houses an extensive collection of European and Irish art, spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Students can sketch the impressive architecture of the gallery itself and find inspiration from masterpieces by artists like Caravaggio, Vermeer, and Irish painters Jack B. Yeats and William Orpen.
Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)
Housed in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, IMMA is Ireland's leading national institution for contemporary art. The museum's expansive grounds, historic building, and dynamic exhibitions—from modern installations to beautiful formal gardens — offer endless sketching opportunities.
Hugh Lane Gallery
Known for its exceptional collection of modern and contemporary art, the Hugh Lane Gallery features works by both Irish and international artists. Highlights include the renowned Francis Bacon Studio and pieces by Seán Scully, Harry Clarke, and Louis le Brocquy. The elegant gallery space and rotating exhibitions provide a stimulating environment for sketching.
These museums will offer a blend of classical and contemporary art, enriching your urban sketching experience in Dublin.
Register Now
Spaces are limited to ensure a personalized and engaging experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to develop your urban sketching skills in one of the most inspiring cities in the world.
About Your Program Support Staff
Remote Support: Mike Franz
As Co-Founder & Operations Director of Side Door Travel, Mike Franz brings a wealth of experience to the retreat. Having served as the General Manager and Tour Guide at Fat Tire Bike Tours in Paris for seven years, Mike's tours have been highlighted on Rick Steves-Paris, The Independent-UK, and the television show 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. While in Paris, Mike lived in the 2nd, 6th and 15th arrondissements. After his tenure in Paris, Mike taught government, economics, and public speaking for ten years at Headwaters High School in Austin, Texas, where he was honored with a teacher-of-the-year award after just his first year. His profound understanding of Parisian culture and history and his educational background ensure a rich and insightful travel experience.
Remote Support: Blake Kimzey
As Co-Founder & Executive Director of Side Door Travel, Blake Kimzey embodies Paris's creative spirit, having lived in the 15th, 18th, and 14th arrondissements. His early days as a bicycle tour guide in Paris deeply influenced his creative path, leading him to found WritingWorkshops.com and earn an MFA from UC Irvine. A celebrated author, Blake's fiction has graced the pages and airwaves of NPR, Tin House, McSweeney’s, VICE, and many more, with his collection Families Among Us published by Black Lawrence Press. Blake is involved in bringing the heroics of Polish underground figure Jan Karski to the silver screen, with a dramatic WWII movie set for production in 2024. His deep connection to storytelling and the Parisian landscape enriches the narrative of every Side Door Travel experience.
How late can I sign up?
You can sign up for this retreat until all spots are full. Once the retreat is full, enrollment will be closed. You can join our waitlist or be notified when the trip is back on the schedule by entering your contact info under the "Sold Out" button at the top of this retreat web page.
If I want to attend the retreat with a friend, spouse, or partner and we share a room, can we get a discount?
Yes, if you attend with a friend, spouse, or partner and share a room we can give you a discount on the price. Inquire with Mike@SideDoorTravel.com for details.
Are Payment Plans Available?
You can opt for a payment plan divided into equal monthly payments by selecting Affirm or Shop Pay at checkout.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Given the intimate nature of our destination retreats and our own non-refundable deposit schedule as organizers, our refund policy is as follows:
90+ days before your trip, tuition payment minus a $900 deposit is fully refundable.
60+ days before your trip: 50% of your tuition is refundable.
30+ days before your: 25% of your tuition is refundable.
Less than 30 days before your trip: no refunds can be offered.
Are Scholarships Available?
Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to offer scholarships for this retreat. However, we do have payment plans available at checkout.
I have a question not answered here.
Please contact us and we’ll reply promptly. You can call us at 888-688-5411, chat with us (lower left of your screen), or send an email to Mike@SideDoorTravel.com.
Terms & Conditions
Side Door Travel is dedicated to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants during our retreats. These events are not places for behavior that is inappropriate, off-topic, disruptive, abusive, or illegal. Inappropriate behavior includes any conduct that undermines the integrity of the retreat, such as written, verbal, or physical abuse or threats; the use of derogatory or discriminatory language, gestures, or actions; any form of harassment, racism, sexism; or any other targeted comments that may violate local, state, federal, or international laws or cause harm to another participant. This applies before, during, and after the retreat, whether in person at the retreat location, at associated events, through the Side Door Travel website or social media channels, during any online components, or through any other method of communication.
Side Door Travel reserves the right, at its discretion, to take appropriate action against any individual(s) or group(s) that do not meet the standards set forth in this Code of Conduct, including, without limitation, revoking admission without refund. During in-person sessions, we expect all attendees to adhere to public health guidelines relevant to safety, hygiene, and any identified pandemic-level communicable illnesses (including COVID-19), such as social distancing, handwashing, staying home if feeling unwell, and other disease prevention measures. If you observe or experience a violation of this Code of Conduct, please contact Side Door Travel. We are committed to assessing the situation and responding promptly. Notifying Side Door Travel does not substitute for notifying local law enforcement of suspected legal violations. All such suspicions should be reported to local authorities. For emergencies, dial the local emergency number immediately. Non-emergency local law enforcement contact details will be provided in the retreat materials. By registering for the retreat, participants agree to abide by these terms and contribute to a welcoming and productive environment for all.
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