We are delighted to announce, after two years pause due to the COVID 19 pandemic, we are now accepting applications for our summer 2022 field school in Italy. Now in its 22nd year, with alumni from over 170 colleges and universities worldwide, SGPS is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage. We offer students the opportunity to study and travel in Italy where they acquire hands-on experience in restoration and conservation.
Session One (June 6 – July 1)
Building Restoration – Touching the Stones
Restoration of Traditional Masonry Buildings and Sketching and Analyzing Historic Buildings
(Program includes lectures and restoration field projects*)
Archaeological Ceramics Restoration
Analysis and Restoration of Archaeological Ceramics in Italy
(Program includes lectures and restoration workshop*)
The Craft of Making and Restoring Book Bindings
Introduction to the Preservation and Preventive Conservation of Books
(Program includes lectures and practical workshop*)
Session Two (July 18 – August 12)
Restoration and Conservation of Paper in Books and Archival Documents
(Program includes lectures and restoration workshop*)
Traditional Painting Techniques
Traditional Materials, Methods of Painting and Art Restoration Issues
(Program includes lectures and painting workshop)
Preservation Theory and Practice in Italy
Restoration Theory, Ethics and Issues
(Program includes lectures and discussion)
*Field Projects:
- Restoration of the San Giovanni City Gate (13th century)
- Analysis of medieval buildings in San Gemini as part of an urban study of the city
- Restoration and conservation of artifacts from the Office of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage for the Abruzzo Region
- Restoration of the Historic Archives of the Dioceses of Terni
- Archaeological research of the Roman Baths in the Ancient City of Carsulae
Short Intersession Program (July 3 – 12)
Preservation Field Trip – Italy A ten-day trip visiting Siena, Florence and Rome: places of cultural interest, with emphasis on the urban and historical development of each town, including specialized visits to places of interest to restorers.
SGPS is a program of the International Institute for Restoration and Preservation Studies, based in New York. An academic relationship has been established with West Virginia University that offers our students the opportunity to apply for and receive credits through the WVU Art History Department. Also, a significant 3-year cooperation agreement has been signed with the Office of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage for the Abruzzo Region to study and conserve archaeological objects held in their museums, as well as a collaboration with the Historic Archives of the Dioceses of Terni for SGPS participants to study and conserve archival documents.
Our courses are open to students from various disciplines, both undergraduate and graduate. All lessons are taught in English.
If you know any students, scholars, or others interested in this type of study, please inform them about our program. We would appreciate it if you could list our program on your organization’s website as an available educational resource. Click here to print our summer 2022 flyer.
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