The Garden of Colors – Il Giardino dei colori

Martenot Art Atelier

Tucked into the Tuscan countryside near Siena, Il Giardino dei Colori (The Garden of Colors) opened in 2018 with a simple but ambitious focus: teaching art through the Martenot Method.

The location says a lot. The atelier sits at the crossroads of Le Vene — the natural springs of the Elsa River Park — and the ancient Via Francigena pilgrimage route. Light, color, and a sense of open space aren’t just nice extras here. They’re part of the curriculum.

Under the guidance of Chiara Salvadori, the Martenot Method comes to life in a way that feels both grounded and a little unexpected. Students don’t start with a brush — they start with breath. Through relaxation and breathing exercises, they work their way toward discovering a gesture that is free, instinctive, and genuinely their own.

From there, it’s about tuning in: to the surrounding environment, to the balance of forms, to the quality of each movement, to the harmony of color.

Less performance. More presence.