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Inspiration, challenge, delight and renewal – exquisitely choreographed by and for lovers of the arts.

 

ARTBREAK STORY

The inspirations behind artbreak™

or

How we discovered the design for perfect vacations

Inspiration #1: The 3 Regrets of the Cultural Attaché's house guest

In 2004, I was phoned by my friend the cultural attaché at the US Embassy – who’d recently injured her back in a skiing mishap and was recuperating at home in a full-body cast – and asked to spend a day entertaining a house guest who was visiting Prague from Africa... 

ARTBREAK FOUNDERS

Douglas Pressman

 

was raised in Billings Montana USA and earned his B.A. degree with honors at Colgate University in 1972, and in his senior year was selected as a Thomas J. Watson Fellow. During his Watson year, 1973, he did research on guitar makers in Europe and studied classical guitar in Barcelona...

Richard Fürych 

 

was born in the Czech Republic, and attended a technical university in Prague. While growing up, he studied classical piano and at one point in his early life was forced to decide whether to give himself completely to a musical life...

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. 

So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. 

Catch the trade winds in your sails. 

Explore. Dream. Discover.

- H. Jackson Brown Jr.

ARETE INSTITUTE

Arete Institute in an international learning catalyst which designs and organizes seminars and sabbatical experiences dedicated to fostering the creativity and values needed by leaders to envision and manifest a different future. Through transformative interchanges with extraordinary teachers the Institute cultivates arete – the pursuit of our highest potential.

Arete Institute is an organizer of unconventional, transformative learning experiences, mainly in the format of workshops and retreats, on topics relating to personal growth, spirituality, social awareness, and holistic health.  

Next artbreak™

Testimonials

  • The trip was wonderful and I have so many wonderful memories and I appreciate all that you did for Judy and I. I have traveled a lot and this trip ranks high on my enjoyment scale.

    Janice S.
    RN, MS, New York City, USA
  • Of course the city itself is a wonder; but I doubt if I would have come to love it so if not for the experience you and Doug have so carefully, thoroughly and lovingly crafted.


    Mary Ann F.
    Chiropractor, Palo Alto, California, USA
  • Memories of Artbreak are still very much with me. Thank you both for a lifetime experience. You were gracious hosts and your care and planning were much appreciated.

    Susan H.
    Princeton, New Jersey, USA
  • I'm thrilled I went – Artbreak expanded my horizons and re-energized me creatively by providing a totally unique, personalized, deeply engaging experience that I'll never forget.

    Jeff F.
    Marketing Consultant, Boston, Massachusetts USA
  • Thank you one and all for a GREAT week in Prague. I’ve had my ceramics glazed and fired and they look great. My children really loved the clay animation. 


    Sue S.
    Engineer and Homemaker, Doha, Quatar
  • Here is what stands out for me: overcoming insecurity about making art in front of strangers; making art in companionship with people who are now on the same adventure.

    Maryly S.
    Artist and retired Librarian, Berkeley, California, USA
  • My wife and I haven’t had such a fun adventure in years. We never could have experienced Prague culture like this on our own. It was an unforgettably stimulating and at the same time relaxing trip for us. Bravo!

    Thomas R.
    Architect, Toronto, Canada
  • Of course I will sing your praises!! How could I not?? It was an absolutely wonderful week!

    Fran G.
    Attorney, New York City, New York, USA
  • In retrospect, I am glad that we had a day before and after the scheduled events, to acclimate to the city before, and after, to pursue things we hadn't had an opportunity to get to.


    Manuel J.
    Financial Analyst, Salamanca, Spain
  • The perfect balance of the travelers’ opposites – discovery on your own and a peek into the insiders’ world. I would NEVER have found this on my own.

    Maryly S.
    Artist and retired Librarian, Berkeley, California, USA
  • Of all the vacations I have taken that included art this was by far the best! Anytime you want to use me as a reference, feel free.

    Sandra M.
    Governmental Affairs Consultant, San Francisco, California, USA

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