an art and cultural experience in the heart of europe

Art School Central is based in Pécel, a small cultural town to the East of Budapest, Hungary. By car, it is a 20-minute drive to Heroes Square (Hősök tere), which is one of the main tourist destinations together with the National Gallery in the centre of Budapest. 

Pécel is also only 15 minutes by car from Liszt Ferenc (BUD) airport. There are excellent train links from the town to Budapest and to the rest of the country.

Art School Central is located at the edge of Pécel, adjacent to mature woodlands, with a purpose-built studio beside the residential accommodation within a large garden setting. Please check out our video on the homepage and our Photo Galleries: The Studio, The Garden & Accommodation, 

Art School Central is a small learning community, with the offer of residential places as well as day courses. Art School Central takes the form of 5-day courses, or day courses where we aim, through teaching, to encourage freedom of creativity and experimenting within a framework by mark-making, printing, drawing and painting, using mixed media and more. Throughout the process of 'making', whether it is 'art' or creating something beautifully useful, the tutoring is absolutely informal. There will be no certificates, or badges ... unless you want one!

Art School Central is a place where people think, discuss and create together and most importantly, where everybody has the opportunity to grow in their own way. It is a place of encouragement where learning is structured, yet open. It is a rejuvenating place where through being well-fed with traditional Hungarian cooking, literally too, in the nurturing company of a small group of people, you can feel that you can grow, feel at home and be nourished.  

As part of our broad approach to Art, trips will also take place to cultural and social events in Budapest and the surrounding areas.

Art School Central is a loose collective of art and design teachers and visiting artists with the common aim of sharing their understanding and enthusiasm for learning and their insights as practising artists. Our hope is that everyone on our courses will have a meaningful and memorable experience throughout their stay here. 

The lead tutor is Manna Dobó who has 30 years experience of devising and running adult amateur art groups and teaching in school settings. Together with her architect husband, Paul McCormack, they will teach, feed and host you.

We welcome everybody who is interested in art and its making.  There is absolutely no requirement for artistic talent or prior experience. It is our firm belief that creativity and the need to make is in all of us. 

We are also aiming to cater for the 'experienced artist' in need of a refreshing retreat, or for the exploration of new materials or ways of seeing.