The Craft the Leather Tuscan Residency is a hands-on professional immersion in Tuscany, Italy, hosted by Seemore Global. Working directly beside an Italian master leather craftsman, participants build real technical skill in traditional leatherwork while experiencing the culture and setting firsthand. It’s designed for educators and independent professionals who want to sharpen their craft, create finished work, and return home renewed.

The residency is built for educators and independent professionals—teachers, professors, makers, designers, and anyone who works with their hands or teaches others. No prior leatherwork experience is required; instruction is hands-on and welcomes all skill levels. It’s also a natural fit for anyone pursuing a sabbatical or professional development that can be documented for their institution.

The program fee is $4,950 per person for double occupancy (shared room) and $5,495 for single occupancy (private room). It covers:

• Seven nights of accommodation in San Miniato

• All the leather and hides you’ll work with

• A guided material-origins session and a visit to the tannery

• Breakfast each day and four shared dinners

• Full access to the studio throughout the week

• A cultural excursion into the surrounding region

International airfare and travel insurance are arranged separately. The nearest airport is Pisa, and we’re glad to help with transfers.

Participants should budget for:

• Airfare to/from Italy

• Travel insurance (required)

• Personal expenses and optional activities

• Meals not included in the program

Travel Insurance Requirement

Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for all participants. Seemore Global requires proof of travel insurance prior to departure. Your policy must include coverage for:

• Trip cancellation or interruption

• Medical expenses

• Emergency evacuation and repatriation

• Lost or delayed baggage

• Coverage for design workshops and any potential risks associated with crafting activities

Recommended Travel Insurance Providers:

• Allianz Travel Insurance – Comprehensive plans with trip protection, medical coverage, and 24/7 assistance.

• World Nomads – Flexible policies designed for travelers engaging in creative or adventurous activities.

• Travel Guard by AIG – Customizable plans covering medical emergencies, cancellations, and personal property.

• AXA Assistance USA – Affordable options for international travel with medical and trip interruption coverage.

• Seven Corners – Plans that cater to international travelers, including medical evacuation and emergency assistance.

Credit Card Travel Insurance:

Some credit cards offer travel insurance benefits when you use them to book your trip. Examples include:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve

• American Express Platinum/Gold

• Capital One Venture X

While these benefits may include trip cancellation, lost baggage, or emergency medical coverage, they often have limitations, such as excluding pre-existing conditions or not covering all activities.

Participants must ensure that any credit card-provided insurance meets Seemore Global’s requirements, including coverage for crafting-related risks and emergency evacuation.

Proof of coverage must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the program start date.

Seemore Global reserves the right to cancel or postpone the residency due to unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to:

• Political instability or government travel advisories

• Natural disasters

• Instructor availability

• Insufficient enrollment

In the event of cancellation by Seemore Global:

• Participants will be offered a full refund of program fees, excluding any third-party expenses such as airfare.

• Seemore Global is not responsible for additional costs incurred by participants (e.g., airfare, visa fees, or non-refundable travel arrangements).

We strongly recommend booking flexible or refundable airfare and ensuring your travel insurance includes trip cancellation coverage.

If your plans change, just let us know in writing as soon as you can. Cancellations made before July 23, 2027 receive a full refund of the program fee. Registration closes August 15, 2027, and after that date the fee is non-refundable, since your place and materials are reserved.

If you’re unable to attend, you’re welcome to transfer your registration to another participant with our approval, up to 30 days before the start date.

On the rare occasion that Seemore Global needs to reschedule or cancel the residency, you’ll receive a full refund of your program fee. Because airfare and insurance are booked on your own, we suggest choosing flexible fares and a policy that includes trip cancellation.

Your well-being matters to us. Before you travel, we share practical guidance to help you prepare, including health and safety information. Throughout the week you’ll have a local point of contact and support available around the clock, along with tips for exploring San Miniato and the wider Tuscan countryside. We also encourage you to enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s STEP program, or your own country’s equivalent, before you go.

You’re never on your own. Seemore Global staff are with you throughout the residency, and in an emergency we’ll reach local services right away. It’s a good idea to keep your travel insurance details handy, and we’ll adjust the schedule whenever it’s needed to keep everyone comfortable and safe.

Absolutely. The residency is designed as a documented professional development experience, which makes it well suited to sabbatical and grant applications. Seemore Global can provide sabbatical support letters and help eligible participants with grant and funding applications, so you can pursue meaningful hands-on training with an Italian master craftsman and bring new skills back to your students, studio, or practice.

You’ll stay together at the Santa Chiara Conservatory in San Miniato, a former convent in the heart of this small medieval town. The rooms are simple and comfortable, with the kind of quiet, historic character that makes it easy to slow down, settle in, and focus on the work. Everything sits within an easy walk, so your days flow between the studio, shared meals, and the town itself.

The residency runs October 3–9, 2027. Here’s the shape of the week:

• Day 1 (October 3): Arrive in San Miniato, settle in, and gather for a welcome dinner

• Day 2: A guided material-origins session and a visit to the tannery, so you understand the leather before you shape it

• Days 3–5: Full days at the bench alongside an Italian master craftsman, building your piece step by step

• Day 6: A cultural excursion into the surrounding region, with time to wander and enjoy

• Day 7 (October 9): Final touches, farewells, and departure

A detailed day-by-day schedule is shared once you register.

The residency runs October 3–9, 2027. Here’s the shape of the week:

• Day 1 (October 3): Arrive in San Miniato, settle in, and gather for a welcome dinner

• Day 2: A guided material-origins session and a visit to the tannery, so you understand the leather before you shape it

• Days 3–5: Full days at the bench alongside an Italian master craftsman, building your piece step by step

• Day 6: A cultural excursion into the surrounding region, with time to wander and enjoy

• Day 7 (October 9): Final touches, farewells, and departure

A detailed day-by-day schedule is shared once you register.

Visit our website at www.seemoreglobal.com to complete your registration and submit your deposit. Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended.

Yes. The residency is designed for adults and is open to participants aged 25 and over. It’s an environment built for makers, educators, and professionals who are ready to dedicate a full week to their craft, and this keeps the experience focused and rewarding for everyone in the group.