Location: Gravina in Puglia, Metropolitan City of Bari, Italy
Season: August 12, 2026 to August 22, 2026
Session Dates: August 12 - 22, 2026
Application Deadline: July 31, 2026
Deadline Type: Contact for Details
Website: https://messors.com/paper-paintings-art-conservation-and-curating/
Program Type:
Field School
RPA Certified:
No
Project Director:
Tonio Creanza
Project Description:
The Messors organization offers a short course in Paper, Easel Paintings / Art Conservation & Curating in the rich cultural and historical settings of the Puglia and Basilicata regions of Southern Italy.
This program offers a comprehensive exploration of the diverse and interdisciplinary fields of conservation and art curation, connecting theory and practice. Participants, students and art enthusiasts – gain hands-on experience in the conservation of easel paintings and paper, as well as in the broader field of cultural presentation.
The Art Curating module introduces students to the practice of curating through discussion and hands-on in-situ activities. Participants will explore the role and responsibilities of the curator, study notable exhibition case studies, and experiment with developing their own curatorial voices and concepts.
The course includes several site visits, including visits to the archeological site of Botromagno (Gravina in Puglia), Sassi of Matera (Unesco World Heritage site), a visit to the rupestrian churches and museums, Itria Valley.
Messors Instructors/Leading experts
Tonio Creanza, Director and Founder of Messors, Art and Cultural Heritage Conservator.
Joana Diniz, Painting conservator.
Bia Fonseca, Chemist, heritage scientist, conservator.
Andreea Foanene, Art curator, cultural theorician, museographer, and visual artist.
Period(s) of Occupation: 6th-century BCE - 19th-century CE
Project Size: 1-24 participants
Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: all period
Minimum Age: 18
Experience Required: No prerequisites required. Participants are introduced to conservation techniques and methodologies, unravelling the balance between artistry and conservation ethics. 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. The hands-on studio work session includes cleaning, repairing, acidity, environmental factors, and preventive measures to conserving diverse artworks The Art Curating 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.
Room and Board Arrangements:
Shared room occupancy accommodation in historical palazzo; 3 meals per day. Transportation from an to Bari airport (BRI) and field trips. Cost: approx $1900 USD per week (see brochure for details).
