Current Programs

We are excited to announce the following series of illuminating educational programs for 2023 to be based at The Civita Institute facilities in Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy. Stay tuned for further details as we gather them:

DesignMashup 2023 will be led by Thomas Lehman, a Milan-based designer, and is scheduled for both April and October 2023 sessions. As Thomas describes the programs: “DesignMashup programs focus on creating transformation in the participant’s design work. Each member will gain insight into the process & techniques of top European and American designers plus engaging with a passionate group of like-minded architects, artists, creators, designers, and makers. In the DesignMashup workshops you will not only get your hands dirty but also explore tools and materials to grow your design skills, while bringing joy and lightness to your design work, overcoming creative blocks. The goal is to guide you in the exploration of your personal design poetics. This spirit of play is embedded in Italian design and is a great method also for team-working and participatory design approaches.” For more information about this unique program (similar to the 2022 program), please see the program web site here.

Historic Preservation and Sustainable Design in the Etruscan Hill Towns of Central Italy - this program includes 36 AIA-approved HSW Learning Units. Nancy Josephson and Stephen Day are once again leading several new sessions of their 10-day program based in Civita, Perugia, Assisi and Siena in October 10-20, 2023 and October 24-November 3, 2023 (Note: these Fall 2023 sessions are now full). New sessions for May 4-14, 2024 and May 18-28, 2024 have been added and are now available to join. These programs focus on architectural preservation, sustainability, and modern design interventions in several phenomenal 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, art history, sustainability, food, wine, 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, local food and wine, and the protection of cultural treasures in hill towns such as Assisi, Perugia, Tarquinia, Tuscania, Orvieto, Pienza, Caprarola, Cortona and Siena, in addition to Civita. For further information and details on the May 4-14, 2024 and the May 18-28, 2024 sessions please see Program Booklet here. Note that the two sessions have essentially the same content and the same HSW AIA learning units. For further information and to reserve a space, please contact us at programs@civitainstitute.org.

Draw Civita 2023 with Stephanie Bower. Artist, Architect and Urban Sketcher Stephanie Bower will once more lead an exciting 6-day session of her drawing and painting workshops focusing on architectural drawing, perspective and watercolor rendering for artists with all levels of experience and backgrounds. This session is scheduled for early September 2023 (precise dates forthcoming in announcements soon). Start your explorations with learning foundational perspective drawing techniques, gain new knowledge about constructiong facades, and learn from Stephanie about rendering your drawings with watercolors to make these beautiful Italian spaces come alive in your on-site crafted art. Enjoy and learn from these small group sessions and immerse yourself in wonderful insider experiences in this unique hill town. More details to follow. 

Civita 2023 – The Depictive + the Evocative, an Exploratory Drawing Workshop with artist and architect Anita Lehmann, will include two sessions in September 2023 (precise dates to be announced soon). As described by Anita: “Join me this Fall of 2023, a workshop about drawing, sketching, and painting places, spaces, and objects. By observing the environment of Civita di Bagnoregio and its surrounding context, we will learn about the ‘power of a place’ through drawing. Sketches, paintings, drawings and collages will be created in a series of sketchbooks; and after initial studies are completed, we will continue to create ‘evocative’ works, furthering concept of ‘place’; utilizing appropriate tools of paint, pastel, charcoal and graphite.” Anita Lehmann is a teacher, an artist, and an award-winning architectural illustrator. She is a registered architect in the state of Washington with a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington. She teaches group art classes in the United States and Europe, focusing on free hand drawing, painting and design. Her other skills include architectural design, graphic design, community planning, and design illustration. Anita brings over 35 years of teaching experience and continues to discover intention. Tailored after Anita’s successful past Depictive and the Evocative Workshops, CIVITA 2023 will continue to offer a rare, small group opportunity, immersed in a creative process, inspired by Civita’s extraordinary setting and the beauty of Italy. For more information please download the Program Brochure here.