Current Programs

The Civita Institute will host several new educational programs in 2020 in addition to the return of our popular programs. Additional details will be forthcoming in separate announcements as we finalize precise dates—sign up for our Newsletter to be the first to know. In the meantime here is a summary of what’s coming up with educational programs at The Civita Institute in Italy. 

Historic Preservation and Sustainable Design in the Etruscan Hill Towns of Central Italy—this program includes 36 AIA-approved HSW Learning Units. Stephen Day and Nancy Josephson are leading a new edition of their exciting 10-day program based in Civita, Perugia and Siena for May 6-16, 2020 that will focus on architectural preservation, sustainability, and modern design interventions in several extraordinary Etruscan hill towns, including extraordinary connections with Italian designers, engineers, cultural leaders and other compatriots. This program is not only for architects but also others interested in a deep dive into architectural preservation and local culture in several ancient but vital Etruscan hill towns. Using Civita as the base camp, with overnight trips to key locations, participants will explore important preservation work and the protection of cultural treasures in phenomenal towns such as Assisi, Perugia, Tarquinia, Tuscania, Orvieto, Pienza, Cortona and Siena, in addition to Civita. For more information, please download the Program Summary book here.

This small group program has limited capacity (only 7 participants, plus your guides) so contact us soon at programs@civitainstitute.org with any questions and if you are interested in experiencing this exciting and unique program.

Published writers Sharon Mentyka and Gabriela Denise Frank will be offering Inspired by Place: A Generative Writing Workshop in Civita di Bagnoregio from June 20-27, 2020. Interweaving immersive small group workshops with daily journeys through the spectacular setting of Civita di Bagnoregio, Gabriela and Sharon will guide attendees through a hands-on experience of place that inspires new writing. The program will weave observation and readings, with journey and reflection as we work to develop skills in image, voice, language, structure, and narrative. The workshop is open to writers of all levels and suitable for writers of fiction, nonfiction, prose or poetry. With a small group of 10-12 participants, two workshop leaders will provide opportunities for plenty of one-on-one learning lessons, critiques, and time to write. Download a brochure brochure here or contact Sharon Mentyka for more information.

Anita Lehmann is organizing a new edition of her drawing and watercolors workshop titled Civita 2020: The Depictive and the Evocative, at the Civita Institute in Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy, September 29-October 5, 2020. This workshop is about drawing, sketching and painting places, spaces and objects. The session begins by observing the contextual environment of Civita di Bagnoregio and its surrounding context: learning about the "power of place" through drawing; mark making inspired by Civita's extraordinary setting and the beauty of Italy. For more information, contact Anita Lehmann.

Thomas Lehman and Mara Libone are Milan-based designers working with the Civita Institute in organizing a new version of their program based both in Milan and Civita di Bagnoregio in late April and early May, 2020. Titled Italian Design Mashup 2020, the program begins in Milan with a focus on an insider’s view and tours of design showrooms, museums, galleries, and the city itself, followed by an immersive workshop on vernacular Italian design and craft based at the Civita Institute facilities. More details to follow!

Stephanie Bower  returns to Civita to teach architectural sketching and watercolors for Draw Civita 2020, projected for early June 5-12, 2020. Using this amazing hill town as subject matter and muse, Stephanie takes participants of varying experience levels through the process of capturing elements of the rich visual array of Civita di Bagnoregio and its surrounding landscape. For more information, contact Stephanie Bower.

More details will follow on all these programs, so stay tuned.