Art Curation & Conservation
Easel Paintings and Paper
August 12 – 22, 2026: Registration is open.
A hands-on and reflective program bridging two distinct yet interrelated practices: the conservation of paintings and works on paper, and the curation of exhibitions that give them renewed life and context. Participants will work directly with artworks while exploring how curatorial vision shapes meaning, display, and audience connection.
This program offers a comprehensive exploration of the diverse and interdisciplinary fields of conservation and art curation, connecting theory and practice. Participants will gain experience in the conservation of paintings on canvas and paper, as well as in the broader field of cultural presentation.
Open to conservation students, professionals, and cultural heritage enthusiasts, this immersive short course provides the opportunity to deepen understanding of conservation principles and develop practical skills in authentic settings. Participants will learn conservation techniques, analyze materials, and discuss ethical considerations in conservation while working directly with historical artifacts under the guidance of experts.
The Art Curation module introduces students to the practice of curating through discussion and hands-on activities. Participants will explore the role and responsibilities of the curator, study notable exhibition case studies, and experiment with developing their own curatorial concepts. From writing labels and curatorial statements to drafting exhibition layouts, students will gain practical insights into how curators shape the way artworks are experienced. The module encourages confidence, collaboration, and the development of an individual curatorial voice, while highlighting the connection between conservation and curating.
Participants engage in hands-on studio work, learning introductory conservation techniques of art
In the conservation studio, students learn conservation principles, intervention criteria, deontology, condition reporting, and basic intervention techniques and prepare solutions, gels, and materials for conservation procedures.
The hands-on studio work session includes cleaning, repairing, inpainting, addressing environmental factors, and preventive measures to conserve diverse artworks.
The session begins with an introduction to the principles, standards, and guidelines for art conservation and restoration, followed by practical hands-on experience, excursions, and lectures.
Lectures, and paintings and paper artworks conservation procedures are conducted in our studio located in the main piazza in Gravina‘s centro storico.
Through field trips and lectures, attendees will explore the significance of preserving cultural heritage and historic sites reflecting human history, preserving community and cultural identities.
The Art Curating module is designed to give students an entry point into the world of curatorial practice. This seminar is intended to create a space for discussion, experimentation, and shared reflection. We aim to help students understand the responsibilities and evolving role of the curator, while also engaging them in practical activities that highlight how exhibitions are imagined, planned, and experienced.
Over the course, students will rotate between conservation work in the studio and sessions dedicated to curating. The module will begin with a collective introduction to the history of curating, the types of exhibitions, and notable case studies. From there, students will break into smaller groups to brainstorm, research, and develop curatorial concepts of their own. Activities will include writing curatorial texts, drafting exhibition layouts, and experimenting with narrative choices that shape the visitor’s experience.
The ultimate goal is for participants to gain confidence in contributing to group discussions and to begin developing their own curatorial voice. This module aims to bridge the gap between conservation and curation, demonstrating how both fields contribute to the life of artworks and their public interpretation.
Workshop Dates
August 12 – 22, 2026
- 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.
2026 Workshop Fee:
3150 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
- Unesco World Heritage Site of Matera and its Sassi.
- Rupestrian frescoed churches.
- Crypt of the Original Sin.
- Ancient Greek Temple of Hera in Metaponto
- Gravina, Botromagno, Museum Foundation E. Pomarici Santomasi
- Family-style long table dinners and picnics, dinners out.
- An afternoon swim at the beach or an evening in a coastal town.
*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
Open to adult learners interested in art conservation, exhibition curation, art collection and hands-on engagement with artworks as physical, historical, and cultural objects.
No prior training is required.
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.