San Gemini Preservation Studies Program

Now in its 19th 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 preservation and conservation.
Session One (May 29 – June 23)
Building Restoration – Touching the Stones: Restoration of Traditional Masonry Buildings and Sketching and Analyzing Historic Buildings
Archaeological Ceramics Restoration - Analysis and Restoration of Archaeological Ceramics in Italy
Book Bindings Restoration - The Craft of Making and Restoring Book Bindings and Introduction to the Conservation of Books and Bindings

Session Two (July 10 - August 4)
Paper Restoration - Restoration and Conservation of Paper in Books and Archival Documents
Traditional Painting Techniques - Traditional Materials, Methods of Painting and Art Restoration Issues
Preservation Theory and Practice in Italy - Restoration Theory, Ethics and Issues

Field Projects:
Restoration of the façade of the Church of San Carlo (13th century)
Analysis of medieval buildings in San Gemini as part of an urban study of the city

Short Inter-Session Programs (June 24 – July 7) include:
Preservation Field Trip – Italy (June 25 – July 4) - A ten-day trip visiting Siena, Florence and Rome: places of cultural interest, the urban and historical development of each town, and specialized visits to places of interest to restorers.
Coexistence of Memory and Modernity – Athens (June 25 - July 6) - A twelve day visit of Athens: an exploration of the history of preservation and conservation issues facing the city led by some of the top Athenian experts in their field.
The History and Culture of Food in Italy (June 26 – July 7) - A two-week course giving an overview of the history and cultural traditions of food in Italy.

English