ART OF THE HORSE
A Three Day Equine Sculpture Retreat with Thomas Bucich
FEBRUARY 5-7, 2027
KIEWA VALLEY · VICTORIAN HIGH COUNTRY
Over three days in the Victorian High Country at Spring Spurs 100 acres in the Kiewa Valley, you’ll have the opportunity to spend time amongst horses, observe them at close range and use your inspiration as the starting point for your own sculpture.
These encounters are the starting point for Art of the Horse, an intimate retreat guided by artist and sculptor Thomas Bucich. Through close observation, informal drawing and photography, you’ll gather your inspiration and bring it into the studio to develop your own original sculpture in wax. If you choose, your finished wax can continue its journey beyond the retreat to be cast in bronze.
Thomas will help you look beyond anatomical detail and find the gesture, balance and energy that gives your horse its presence. With demonstrations and generous individual guidance, you’ll explore how a form can be simplified or a movement emphasised until the sculpture begins to express your own experience of the horse.
You don’t need to arrive knowing how to sculpt a horse.
You simply need to arrive curious about what you see.
For artists seeking a fresh approach, newcomers to sculpture and people drawn to horses, this is a rare opportunity to observe and create in the very place that inspires the work.
YOUR THREE-DAY EXPERIENCE:
FRIDAY, 5 FEBRUARY
Arrive and discover
From 1pm Check in and welcome
Arrive at Spring Spur and meet Thomas, the Spring Spur team and the horses that will inspire your work.
2pm Observing and recording the horses
Spend the afternoon amongst the horses, observing their movements and individual characteristics. Use photographs and simple sketches to capture a stance, movement or a gesture that catches your eye. These first impressions will become the reference for the sculptures to come.
4pm Optional horse ride
Explore the High Country on horseback with Spring Spur. Riding must be pre-booked and paid for separately, directly with Spring Spur.
7.30pm Dinner at Spring Spur
Included in the accommodation package. Other participants may arrange dinner directly with Spring Spur in advance.
SATURDAY, 6 FEBRUARY
From observation to sculpture
Sunrise Optional self-guided farm walk to observe the horses as a herd
8am Breakfast
9am Further observation of the horses
10am–3pm Sculpture studio
Thomas introduces his approach to sculpting for bronze and guides you through establishing the basic structure of your horse. Working in wax, you’ll begin building form, gesture, movement and surface, drawing on the horses, your photographs and your own observations..
7.30pm Dinner at Spring Spur
Breakfasts and dinners are included for guests on the two-night accommodation package. Other participants should arrange meals directly with Spring Spur in advance.
SUNDAY, 7 FEBRUARY
Refine your sculpture and discover the ancient art of lost wax bronze
Sunrise Optional self-guided farm walk to observe the horses as a herd
8am Breakfast
9am Final observations of the horses
10am–3pm Sculpture studio
The final day is devoted to developing and resolving your sculpture. Working individually with Thomas, you’ll explore proportion, balance, gesture and surface, refining the form while retaining the energy and individuality that first inspired it.
You’ll also discover how the ancient lost-wax casting process transforms a wax original into bronze, and how your sculpture can be prepared for professional casting.
The aim is to leave with an original equine sculpture in wax that feels distinctly your own, along with a more attentive eye for the horse’s movement and character. You may also discover a confidence in your creative instincts that you can carry into future work.
What your sculpture retreat includes
Three days of tuition with sculptor Thomas Bucich
Time amongst Spring Spur’s horses for observation and inspiration
Informal drawing, photography and visual exploration
Hands-on studio sessions working in wax
All wax and sculpting materials
Demonstrations and generous individual guidance
An introduction to the lost-wax bronze casting process
Guidance on preparing your sculpture for professional casting
What to bring:
Bring a sketchbook, your preferred simple drawing materials and a phone or camera for photographic reference.
Please note: Bronze casting is optional and additional to the retreat fee. Professional casting options and costs will be provided according to the size and requirements of your individual work.
THE RETREAT AND ACCOMMODATION PRICING:
THREE-DAY SCULPTURE RETREAT
A$1,150 per person
Booked directly with Bucich Arts. Includes the full three-day workshop, all sculpting materials, demonstrations and individual tuition.
Accommodation, meals and horse riding are arranged separately.
ACCOMMODATION AND MEAL PACKAGE AT SPRING SPUR:
Wake to the mountain landscape and the presence of the horses, and enjoy Spring Spur beyond the studio.
Accommodation options include two nights, two breakfasts and two dinners.
Twin Share Accomodation: $405pp, (Total cost including Workshop = $1,555)
Single Occupancy Accomodation: $609pp, (Total cost including workshop = $1,759)
Please note: Combined totals are shown for convenience. Workshop and accommodation bookings and payments are made separately, and add-ons for lunches or horse rides are additional.
Limited on site availability to 6 guest rooms with ensuite / 12 beds at Spring Spur
Secure your room promptly after your workshop booking is confirmed to avoid disappointment. Once rooms are filled, you can still book the workshop, subject to workshop availability, and arrange your own accommodation off site. Other accommodation options are available in Mount Beauty and the surrounding Kiewa Valley.
All participants enjoy the same complete three-day sculpture experience, wherever they stay.
Additional meals and horse riding:
Lunch option at Spring Spur: $35 per person.
Dinner for partners or guests: $60 per person.
Optional horse riding must be pre-booked directly with Spring Spur.
RESERVE YOUR PLACE
Step 1. Book your sculpture workshop below.
Please note: Your workshop booking must be confirmed before booking accommodation at Spring Spur.
Step 2. Arrange your stay and experiences
Once your workshop booking is confirmed, contact Spring Spur directly to arrange and pay for accommodation, meals and optional horse riding.
SPRING SPUR
52 Fredas Lane, Tawonga, VIC
info@springspur.com.au
(03) 4706 0111
All accommodation, meals and horse riding are booked and paid for separately and directly through Spring Spur.
Rooms at Spring Spur are limited and subject to availability. Complete your accommodation booking as soon as your workshop place is confirmed to secure your preferred room.
If the six rooms are fully booked, you can still join the workshop, subject to available studio places, but must arrange off-site accommodation.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PHONE OR EMAIL WITH ANY QUESTIONS studio@bucich.com or 0420 718 775
ART OF THE HORSE
A Three Day Equine Sculpture Retreat with Thomas Bucich
FEBRUARY 5-7, 2027
KIEWA VALLEY · VICTORIAN HIGH COUNTRY
Over three days in the Victorian High Country at Spring Spurs 100 acres in the Kiewa Valley, you’ll have the opportunity to spend time amongst horses, observe them at close range and use your inspiration as the starting point for your own sculpture.
These encounters are the starting point for Art of the Horse, an intimate retreat guided by artist and sculptor Thomas Bucich. Through close observation, informal drawing and photography, you’ll gather your inspiration and bring it into the studio to develop your own original sculpture in wax. If you choose, your finished wax can continue its journey beyond the retreat to be cast in bronze.
Thomas will help you look beyond anatomical detail and find the gesture, balance and energy that gives your horse its presence. With demonstrations and generous individual guidance, you’ll explore how a form can be simplified or a movement emphasised until the sculpture begins to express your own experience of the horse.
You don’t need to arrive knowing how to sculpt a horse.
You simply need to arrive curious about what you see.
For artists seeking a fresh approach, newcomers to sculpture and people drawn to horses, this is a rare opportunity to observe and create in the very place that inspires the work.
YOUR THREE-DAY EXPERIENCE:
FRIDAY, 5 FEBRUARY
Arrive and discover
From 1pm Check in and welcome
Arrive at Spring Spur and meet Thomas, the Spring Spur team and the horses that will inspire your work.
2pm Observing and recording the horses
Spend the afternoon amongst the horses, observing their movements and individual characteristics. Use photographs and simple sketches to capture a stance, movement or a gesture that catches your eye. These first impressions will become the reference for the sculptures to come.
4pm Optional horse ride
Explore the High Country on horseback with Spring Spur. Riding must be pre-booked and paid for separately, directly with Spring Spur.
7.30pm Dinner at Spring Spur
Included in the accommodation package. Other participants may arrange dinner directly with Spring Spur in advance.
SATURDAY, 6 FEBRUARY
From observation to sculpture
Sunrise Optional self-guided farm walk to observe the horses as a herd
8am Breakfast
9am Further observation of the horses
10am–3pm Sculpture studio
Thomas introduces his approach to sculpting for bronze and guides you through establishing the basic structure of your horse. Working in wax, you’ll begin building form, gesture, movement and surface, drawing on the horses, your photographs and your own observations..
7.30pm Dinner at Spring Spur
Breakfasts and dinners are included for guests on the two-night accommodation package. Other participants should arrange meals directly with Spring Spur in advance.
SUNDAY, 7 FEBRUARY
Refine your sculpture and discover the ancient art of lost wax bronze
Sunrise Optional self-guided farm walk to observe the horses as a herd
8am Breakfast
9am Final observations of the horses
10am–3pm Sculpture studio
The final day is devoted to developing and resolving your sculpture. Working individually with Thomas, you’ll explore proportion, balance, gesture and surface, refining the form while retaining the energy and individuality that first inspired it.
You’ll also discover how the ancient lost-wax casting process transforms a wax original into bronze, and how your sculpture can be prepared for professional casting.
The aim is to leave with an original equine sculpture in wax that feels distinctly your own, along with a more attentive eye for the horse’s movement and character. You may also discover a confidence in your creative instincts that you can carry into future work.
What your sculpture retreat includes
Three days of tuition with sculptor Thomas Bucich
Time amongst Spring Spur’s horses for observation and inspiration
Informal drawing, photography and visual exploration
Hands-on studio sessions working in wax
All wax and sculpting materials
Demonstrations and generous individual guidance
An introduction to the lost-wax bronze casting process
Guidance on preparing your sculpture for professional casting
What to bring:
Bring a sketchbook, your preferred simple drawing materials and a phone or camera for photographic reference.
Please note: Bronze casting is optional and additional to the retreat fee. Professional casting options and costs will be provided according to the size and requirements of your individual work.
THE RETREAT AND ACCOMMODATION PRICING:
THREE-DAY SCULPTURE RETREAT
A$1,150 per person
Booked directly with Bucich Arts. Includes the full three-day workshop, all sculpting materials, demonstrations and individual tuition.
Accommodation, meals and horse riding are arranged separately.
ACCOMMODATION AND MEAL PACKAGE AT SPRING SPUR:
Wake to the mountain landscape and the presence of the horses, and enjoy Spring Spur beyond the studio.
Accommodation options include two nights, two breakfasts and two dinners.
Twin Share Accomodation: $405pp, (Total cost including Workshop = $1,555)
Single Occupancy Accomodation: $609pp, (Total cost including workshop = $1,759)
Please note: Combined totals are shown for convenience. Workshop and accommodation bookings and payments are made separately, and add-ons for lunches or horse rides are additional.
Limited on site availability to 6 guest rooms with ensuite / 12 beds at Spring Spur
Secure your room promptly after your workshop booking is confirmed to avoid disappointment. Once rooms are filled, you can still book the workshop, subject to workshop availability, and arrange your own accommodation off site. Other accommodation options are available in Mount Beauty and the surrounding Kiewa Valley.
All participants enjoy the same complete three-day sculpture experience, wherever they stay.
Additional meals and horse riding:
Lunch option at Spring Spur: $35 per person.
Dinner for partners or guests: $60 per person.
Optional horse riding must be pre-booked directly with Spring Spur.
RESERVE YOUR PLACE
Step 1. Book your sculpture workshop below.
Please note: Your workshop booking must be confirmed before booking accommodation at Spring Spur.
Step 2. Arrange your stay and experiences
Once your workshop booking is confirmed, contact Spring Spur directly to arrange and pay for accommodation, meals and optional horse riding.
SPRING SPUR
52 Fredas Lane, Tawonga, VIC
info@springspur.com.au
(03) 4706 0111
All accommodation, meals and horse riding are booked and paid for separately and directly through Spring Spur.
Rooms at Spring Spur are limited and subject to availability. Complete your accommodation booking as soon as your workshop place is confirmed to secure your preferred room.
If the six rooms are fully booked, you can still join the workshop, subject to available studio places, but must arrange off-site accommodation.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PHONE OR EMAIL WITH ANY QUESTIONS studio@bucich.com or 0420 718 775
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