Conservation & Curation: Fine Art & Cultural Landscapes
Hands-on Art Conservation, Curatorial Practice & Field Studies in Rural Heritage Conservation.
August 13 – 24, 2027
This interdisciplinary course introduces fine art conservation, rupestrian fresco conservation, curatorial practice and landscape conservation models through practical work and field studies in southern Italy. Studio sessions focus on the conservation of artworks, while excursions provide the setting for lectures, observation and discussion of cultural landscapes and rural heritage. Comparative case studies consider successful interventions, debated approaches and ongoing challenges, extending curatorial questions from exhibition spaces into archaeological settings, rural environments and living cultural practices.
Fine Art Conservation
Participants work directly with European paintings dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries, encountering different supports, materials and conditions. They begin with a condition report and conservation plan, then undertake practical treatments appropriate to each work.
Activities include stabilizing supports and pictorial layers, repairing tears, infilling paint losses and conservation inpainting. Participants examine the effects of earlier restorations, storage conditions and humidity, and prepare treatment solutions, gels and other conservation materials.
Lectures and demonstrations connect studio practice with conservation chemistry, including the properties and use of solvents, solutions and gels.
Introduction to Rupestrian Fresco Conservation
An introductory session combines the study of fresco materials and techniques with practical conservation in a rupestrian setting. Participants learn how frescoes are made, examining the lime cycle, plaster preparation, pigments and the process through which colour becomes incorporated into the plaster.
An optional one-day session offers participants the opportunity to create a fresco using traditional materials and techniques, including lime plaster, sinopia and natural pigments. This practical exercise develops an understanding of the relationships between plaster preparation, painting technique and carbonation, providing a basis for examining deterioration and conservation treatments.
The emphasis is on understanding rupestrian frescoes within their rural environments and cultural landscapes. Teaching considers how geology, moisture, environmental exposure and the condition and use of rock-hewn spaces affect deterioration and conservation decisions.
Small-group practical work and field observation connect the conservation of rupestrian frescoes with the care of their architectural settings and surrounding landscapes.
Curatorial Practice & Interpretation
Discussion and practical exercises introduce curatorial approaches to the study, presentation and interpretation of cultural heritage. Participants explore how historical research, material evidence and the relationships between artworks, objects and places inform curatorial decisions.
These questions extend into cultural landscapes, considering how archaeological settings, rural environments and living traditions can be interpreted. The emphasis is on exploring different perspectives and the connections between conservation, context and presentation.
Cultural Landscapes & Conservation Models
Excursions provide the setting for lectures, observation and discussion of rural heritage conservation and cultural landscape models. Through comparative case studies, participants examine successful interventions, debated decisions and approaches facing ongoing challenges. They consider how success is assessed through physical preservation, maintenance, public accessibility and the continued use of cultural landscapes.
Archaeological landscapes introduce questions of long-term stewardship and the connections between collections and their original settings. Rupestrian fresco sites provide contrasting examples of environmental protection, visitor management and the presentation of conservation work.
Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a case study in architectural conservation, adaptive reuse and tourism, examining how rehabilitating a historic city affects residential life and the local economy.
Intangible Heritage & Cultural Landscapes: Shepherding & Cheesemaking
Shepherding and cheesemaking serve as a case study connecting cultural landscapes with intangible heritage. A practical cheesemaking activity introduces discussion of shepherds as stewards of living heritage and rural landscapes, exploring how pastoral knowledge and practices contribute to landscape identity. Participants consider these relationships in conservation and interpretation, including the possibilities and limitations of an open-air museum model.
Workshop Dates
August 13 – 24, 2027
- Includes arrival and departure dates
What to expect
In studio work on paintings and paper, lectures, two to three hours field walks, archaeological sites, and historic towns, full days out, one to two hours drive to visit other site destinations, Meals: homemade regional dishes, picnics, local osterie’s and pizzeria’s, accommodation in shared bedrooms.
Typical schedule: breakfast, Lectures/practical work in the mornings. lunch, Excursions and visits in the afternoon. Day trips to historical sites with lunch on site. Towns and rural countryside settings.
2027 Workshop tuiton:
3480 EUR
- Includes: tuition and lectures, workshop instructions, guided tours and field trips, your stay (shared occupancy) at our workshop accommodation, meals (exception of 4 dinners, 3 lunches, 3 breakfasts), transportation from and to Bari on arrival and departure day.
- Does not include: personal expenses such as airfare, train fare, health & travel insurance, or spending money.
Field Trips
Field trips include Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the archaeological landscape of Botromagno and the Crypt of the Original Sin. The programme also includes lunch and a relaxed afternoon by the pool, with time for a swim.
*Field trips and projected itinerary are subject to changes depending on weather conditions, museum and third parties operating hours, and unforeseen circumstances.
Registration
Email messors.tonio@gmail.com to request an application form and for any questions.
Registration is open to learners of all backgrounds who are curious about art, language, history, and cultural heritage, and who want to learn through direct experience.
This is a hands-on and in-situ workshop to complement studies in the fields of conservation, arts, history & anthropology, archaeology, etc. It is open to students and those keen on understanding the processes of restoration & preservation of art and cultural heritage.
Our participants include:
- students exploring possible academic or professional paths
- artists and makers seeking deeper material understanding
- art historians, archaeologists, and heritage-minded learners
- museum, archives, and cultural-sector professionals
- educators and writers
- anyone curious about art conservation and wanting to explore Southern Italy’s art, history, landscape, and living traditions
No prior specialization is required. What matters most is curiosity, attentiveness, and a willingness to learn through doing.
Our workshops bring together people at different stages of study and practice, creating a shared environment where knowledge moves across disciplines, backgrounds, and generations.
We remind applicants that works of art and historical sites are part of the National Italian Cultural Patrimony and must be treated with care and attention. Any practical intervention and actions while learning are under supervision and guidance.
The activities in this workshop involve handling tools like scalpels and chisels, fine motor skills, and operating in a low-lighting environment in the cave sites.
Also, we remind participants to be aware that we will be spending some full days out, which entails walking in open fields and uneven terrain, ancient towns with stone paths, stairs, hills, etc, and working on a rural site; to expect summer temperatures in southern Italy; to assume the responsibility of being in good health and physical abilities to undertake the workshop.
As all of the participants range greatly in age and background, we ask you to be considerate of all participants and be a fellow participant who can participate in activities and walks and appreciates being ready for some impromptu experiences which will arise that create adventure and learning environment.
Workshops are instructed in English, and lectures are translated when necessary.
Who It’s For
This exploratory workshop combines full days of practical work, field studies and discussion. It offers an introduction for individuals considering study in conservation, curation or cultural heritage, complementary practical experience for those already studying related subjects, and an opportunity to experience Italy through its landscapes, artistic heritage and living cultural traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior experience?
No. The workshop is designed for participants ranging from beginners to emerging practitioners. Instruction and hands-on activities are adapted to different experience levels, making the program accessible to those new to conservation and art management as well as those seeking to deepen existing knowledge.
Is this workshop only for students?
No. While conservation students and aspiring professionals often attend, the workshop also welcomes artists, art historians, and cultural heritage enthusiasts interested in working directly with artworks and exploring exhibition-making processes.
What types of artworks will participants work with?
Participants work with paintings on canvas and artworks on paper dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Projects are selected based on instructional goals, conditions, and material considerations.
Will I be doing real conservation work?
Yes. Participants engage in hands-on conservation practice under professional supervision. Activities may include condition reporting, surface cleaning, minor repairs, inpainting, preventive conservation measures, and addressing environmental factors.
What conservation topics and skills are covered?
The conservation component introduces professional principles, intervention criteria, ethics and deontology, documentation practices, and basic treatment methodologies. Participants learn to prepare solutions, gels, and materials used in conservation procedures and to analyze materials and conditions.
How is the Art Curation module structured?
The Art Curation module runs alongside conservation practice and focuses on how artworks are interpreted, displayed, and communicated to the public. Participants explore the role and responsibilities of the curator through lectures, case studies, discussion, and hands-on activities.
What kinds of curatorial activities will participants do?
Participants work individually and in small groups to develop curatorial concepts. Activities include writing labels and curatorial statements, drafting exhibition layouts, and experimenting with narrative and interpretive choices that shape audience experience.
Is this an academic or professional certification?
The workshop offers practical, field-based training. Past participants have used the experience through our certificate of participation to support academic applications and professional development. Some of them have used the certificate of participation also for credits.
How is the workshop structured?
Participants rotate between conservation studio work and curatorial sessions. The program includes hands-on practice, lectures, discussions, and excursions that provide historical, material, and cultural context.
Where does the workshop take place?
Lectures and conservation activities are conducted in the studio located in the main piazza of Gravina’s centro storico. Field trips and site visits complement studio-based learning.
What language is the workshop taught in?
The workshop is conducted in English.